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.





Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Sanro’s lazy egg Gudetama now has its own maid cafe in Tokyo’s Akihabara
Hachiji juppun mae – A Japanese phrase that even Japanese people can’t agree on the meaning of
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
Rick Rack: The teenage girl rock band that is way better than they have any right to be【J-Tunes】
Do Tokyo natives get lost in Shinjuku and Shibuya too? We ask our in-office Tokyo-ites
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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 teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Sanro’s lazy egg Gudetama now has its own maid cafe in Tokyo’s Akihabara
Hachiji juppun mae – A Japanese phrase that even Japanese people can’t agree on the meaning of
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
Rick Rack: The teenage girl rock band that is way better than they have any right to be【J-Tunes】
Do Tokyo natives get lost in Shinjuku and Shibuya too? We ask our in-office Tokyo-ites
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Move aside, taiyaki! Mucchan Manju in Asakusa is the newest food trend we need to jump upon
Immersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair