Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
BMW
Itasha, or “pain mobile,” is a Japanese word that refers to a car that is so nerdy, it’s painfully embarrassing to even look at. If a car actually had the ability to cause pain with a single glance, this BMW, with full-body paint and decals featuring otaku-worshipped vocaloid, Hatsune Miku, is enough to put you in the hospital.
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
7-Eleven Japan now sells… hot takoyaki!
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
We got our first “rail seal stamp” and an extra splash of happiness at a train station in Fukuoka
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buyWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special featureInjuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration eventsWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful gardenJapan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
7-Eleven Japan now sells… hot takoyaki!
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
We got our first “rail seal stamp” and an extra splash of happiness at a train station in Fukuoka
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buy
Twin Tail Day makes Twitter a paradise for guys in Japan【Photos】
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
Studio Ghibli releases anime art calendars for 2025
Toei Kyoto Studio Park takes you back in time to Edo period Japan, but all is not what it seems
Get a Complete Psych Profile in a Few Minutes Using Only a Pen and Paper
We take a trip to Tokyo’s Islam Alley and find a world of sweets we never knew existed