Towering lanterns, traditional balancing skills, and a special anime collaboration make this an unforgettable Japanese festival experience.
Akita
Watch performers balance spectacular lantern poles on their chins in an unforgettable summer festival.
Governor doesn’t specify whether his desired bear-fighting drones would drop anvils or some other, less cartoony payload.
The real-life version of the newest Slam Dunk movie’s shrine is worth working up a sweat to see.
One noodle-dispensing vending machine in the north of Japan is so beloved that you can now buy it in dessert form with a special box.
Unfortunately, kids in northern Japan don’t get a pass this year from the UNESCO-recognized, fearsome namahage.
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Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
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This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
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Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy- Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show- New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
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Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
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Monthly
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films- Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan- Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
This Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
Tired of city life? Try out Japanese rural life for a few days on an active volcano in Kagoshima
Tokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
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Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
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