Horses that make it to the top are seen as signs of good harvest, but those that don’t may die.
animal abuse
Earlier this month we saw what was beleived to be the first ISIS-inspired murder in Japan when a group of teenagers brutally killed a fellow classmate. However it has recently come to light that in the middle of February, a different group of Tokyo middle school students broke into an elementary school with the intent of murdering the school pet goat as “practice” for killing a fellow human being.
Summer festivals all have one thing in common: there’s always a ton of people at them. That also means there are plenty of exciting booths to spend your money at. Besides food stalls, there are some popular carnival-type games that you’ll find at festivals in Japan, most of which are classic games of skill and luck which reward you with a variety of prizes. Perhaps one of the most famous festival games is a goldfish scooping game called kingyo sukui.
This year, however a slightly different “fishing” game was spotted at a summer festival held in Osaka. As you might imagine from a game requiring participants to “fish” for live hamsters, it is certainly generating a wide range of reactions.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Pokémon train brings smiles to Tohoku kids’ faces
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese tough guy fashion starter pack: Testing the Birth Japan lucky bag【Photos】
We try a viral Chinese TikTok recipe for spicy ramen using Sprite soda in the broth【SoraKitchen】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Free bus tours of Japan’s famous “Disaster Prevention Underground Temple” underway
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese tough guy fashion starter pack: Testing the Birth Japan lucky bag【Photos】
We try a viral Chinese TikTok recipe for spicy ramen using Sprite soda in the broth【SoraKitchen】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Free bus tours of Japan’s famous “Disaster Prevention Underground Temple” underway
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Snake
Spirited Away bath herbs now available at Ghibli exhibition in Japan
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Maker of Japan’s first crane machine is looking for a working model, offering 100,000-yen reward
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Rice Pizza?! Pizza Hut creates a new base for customers in Japan
Amazing Pringles flavours exist in Japan
-
