Woodlands that inspired the creation of My Neighbor Totoro sit at the edge of the biggest city in Japan, but this fund helps keep them green.
anime & manga
Spirited Away’s No Face also gets into the Japanese New Year’s spirit with a special kadomatsu.
Totoro, Haku, and other Studio Ghibli anime movie stars make the leap from the screen to the table.
Perhaps the weirdest, and definitely the cutest, wish anyone has ever made on the Dragon Balls.
Sangatsu no Lion (March Comes in like a Lion) has a limited-time cafe serving food right out of the manga!
Preliminary results of the Pokémon General Election have been revealed, and it wasn’t long before fans picked up on this error.
Because fujoshi aren’t the only ones who enjoy watching boys getting it on. Finally, some love for fudanshi!
Next time you feel like taking a coffee break, why not head over to the NagaLatte Cafe in Harajuku, where you can try Snow Brand Milk’s newest beverage and experience what it’s like to work as a manga illustrator, animator, or other creative professional?
We’ve seen loads of Sailor Moon fan artwork over the years, but these pieces by Chinese artist Sunmomo are some of the most ethereal-looking by far.
Moe-style anime NEW GAME! gets new official website with TV broadcast and cast reveal info.
Japan is pretty famous for its packed trains that invite occasional chikan (groping incidents). Luckily, in light of improving rights for women in Japan, the law of late tends to come down pretty hard on train gropers. Assuming a victim or a witness to such a crime speaks up about it, a perpetrator typically faces immediate arrest at the next train station and can probably expect to do some jail time.
While this system works pretty well for the most part, it’s not unheard of for some unlucky guys to face career and life-destroying consequences after being falsely accused of groping. One Japanese Twitter user, in fact, posted a series of Tweets detailing a close call he had himself, relating that he was almost certainly destined for the slammer if he hadn’t been saved by the alleged victim herself.
Artist and T-shirt designer Saqman, who, despite his pen-name inadvertently reminding this writer of genitals, actually seems like a pretty wholesome guy, recently put together this spiffy and kind of spookily appropriate-looking mashup of Spirited Away and Alice in Wonderland, and it really works on a level we never really thought about!
“On that day, the writers of RocketNews24 received a grim reminder. We lived in the shadows of the Titans and had to become the Titans themselves to live in these cages we called the Internet.”
Free Attack on Titan face packs?! Of course we had to try it! We even made some customizations in an attempt to give Satosshi a run for his money, but alas, it seems that none of us have attained his level of Rocket-ness as of yet. Check out our titanic beauty experience after the break!




















Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
The Mandalorian and Grogu film inspires a new set of Ginza Cozy Corner mini cakes and more
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Six towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]