It feels like yesterday when our reporter Kuzo travelled deep into China for find the fabled “melt-proof ice pop” named Banana – a vanilla ice cream encased in a protective gummy sheath. However, this year Banana has come to the world (under a variety of names such as Bennana in Japan), and this October it will reach the shores of Japan.
To celebrate, Banana’s maker Nestle held a “Banana Day” event in Harajuku, Tokyo on 7 August. Yet another punny Japanese holiday on a Japanese reading of “8/7”, it involved the giving away of free monkey ears, T-shirts, and of course Bennanas.
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
Japan’s adorable new Nikukyu notebooks have the squeezable feel of cat and dog paw pads【Photos】
New Mario Kart Happy Meal toys are racing up to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases a new chilled cup exclusively at Family Mart convenience stores
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
Secret hot spring onsen in Japan is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by tourists
Dark and edgy Jujustu Kaisen teams up with bright and cheery Sanrio for new merch line【Pics】
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new holiday goods at Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Japanese samurai randoseru backpack lets you carry the bushido spirit with you wherever you go
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Tsukemen ramen restaurant becomes a hit with foreign tourists in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
New Mario Kart Happy Meal toys are racing up to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases a new chilled cup exclusively at Family Mart convenience stores
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Pokémon doughnuts appear at Mister Donut, with Diglett as the star!
Famous Japanese painter’s centuries-old cat artwork proves Japan has always loved felines
New unlimited cat subscription service in Japan blasted online
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Legendary artist EYE to hold his largest mass-percussion event ever in Tokyo with crowdfunding underway