allergies
The Tenbou-Park Sakura Festival in Ikebukuro’s popular Sunshine City shopping complex promises a sneeze and itchy eyes-free flower-viewing experience.
Finding out you can’t eat soba stinks — but at least this is the coolest way to get bad news!
Japan has had a pretty good track record with the annual Ig Nobel Prize. Scientists from all over the country have been awarded for nine years straight for their contributions to wacky and humorous research. Last year, Professor Kiyoshi Mabuchi recieved the Ig Nobel Prize in Physics for determining exactly how slippery a banana peel on the floor is.
Now, Dr. Hajime Kimata of the Osaka Prefecture Neyagawa Allergy Clinic has been given the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine. However, rather than investigating a silly topic, Dr. Kimata’s findings were actually rather sweet: Kissing can reduce a person’s allergic reactions.
Surfers could be at greater risk of developing an allergy to natto, a Japanese study has found. And the unlikely culprit is thought to be jellyfish stings.
Natto, the sticky fermented soy beans that are as as polarising as Marmite, is a traditional and common Japanese food. Allergy to natto is rare, but research from Yokohama City University Hospital suggests it could be more prevalent in people who spend a lot of time in the water and have been repeatedly stung by jellyfish.
We’ve covered many products developed by Thanko – that company always seems to have clever ideas and is never afraid to flirt with madness – in the past. Their upside-down desk, and upside-down cushion both look very tempting, whereas their more ambitious products such as camera glasses and the Fanbrella seem inherently flawed with poor battery performance.
Whether Thanko’s newest release, the USB Pollen Blocker crosses the crazy train tracks remains to be seen.
It’s already March and things are starting to look a lot like spring. The sun is out, the birds are back, and those dead hunks of wood are starting to look a little more like trees. Sunny skies are here again and everyone seems to have a pep back in their step… except for those with allergies.
Now, let’s be honest, for those who suffer from hay fever, spring is a b*tch. Excuse the profanity, but hay fever sufferers know that the coming of spring signals itchy eyes, piles of tissues, and all around unpleasantness. If you have hay fever and were thinking about visiting Tokyo, think again; this weekend’s pollen levels are literally off the charts.
Anyone with allergies can tell you that they suck pretty hard. Particularly in Japan, the high density of cedar trees has hay fever sufferers throwing on masks for several months of the year starting about now.
To our rescue comes Koji Kawahara, Professor of Cellular Engineering at Kitakyushu National College of Technology who last year found a component in strawberries which eases allergic reactions.
Professor Kawahara presented his findings at an international biology expo and filed for an international patent. He will likely synthesize the active ingredient into pill form, but can simply adding strawberries to our diet do the trick too?











Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
National Geographic names Yamagata Prefecture on its “Best of the World 2026” travel destinations
Shocking daylight smash-and-grab robbery occurs at shop in Tokyo’s fanciest neighborhood【Vid】
Light-up Totoro is a mix of centuries-old pottery techniques and classic anime cuteness【Photos】
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Hello Kitty and twin sister celebrate birthday at Baskin-Robbins Japan with special merch, sweets
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Beautiful Totoro bento box mixes classic and modern symbols of Japan
Kagawa’s Udon Gummies are so hard to chew they come with warning labels
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Light-up Totoro is a mix of centuries-old pottery techniques and classic anime cuteness【Photos】
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Hello Kitty and twin sister celebrate birthday at Baskin-Robbins Japan with special merch, sweets
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
Japan is getting the cutest Pikachu donuts ever, and another Pokémon will make its donut debut
Want the noodles without the noise? This is the perfect place for you to try wanko soba
English teachers in Japan apologize for having low-proficiency kids say “poison” in assigned video
We deeply regret spending five hours on this artistic Japanese island (we should have spent more)