We visit the new Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory in Tokyo and try the very special Rum Raisin Catbus you can’t get anywhere else.
Catbus (Page 5)
These adorable name stamp stands will make you want to stamp your name on everything in sight!
Twitter user shares screenshots of Hayao Miyazaki anime that surprising number of fans haven’t heard of, and which can be seen next month.
If you’ve got a hankering for some anime collectibles and some snacks, you’re covered on both fronts.
A new video reveals spectacular footage of the world of My Neighbor Totoro rebuilt in Minecraft.
With their cute sets of extra paws, these hilarious cats look like furry catbuses come to life!
The latest news regarding renovations has revealed information about several exciting new exhibits which has us counting down the days to the July 16 re-opening.
If you love Legos, these photos from the University of Tokyo’s Lego Club will make you want to go back to school and play with blocks!
Out of all the Studio Ghibli films, My Neighbor Totoro remains one of the most beloved, with the tale of two young girls and their magical forest friends capturing hearts and imaginations around the world.
While the story centres on Totoro, the furry, forest-dwelling giant, his unique mode of transport very nearly upstages him. What’s not to love about a multi-legged bus-shaped cat that bounds over hills beaming trails of light from its huge yellow eyes and carrying mice along as tail-lights?
Now it’s time to take the iconic catbus home and when we do, we’ll be making him entirely from scratch, with a specially designed kit made from lasercut paper materials.
Out of all the things we wish would spring to life from Studio Ghibli’s animated films, the catbus from My Neighbor Totoro would have to be at the top of the list. Who wouldn’t want to ride an enormous, fluffy, bright orange cat over hills and through forests on their daily commute?
As with all great things, if it can’t exist in real life, it can at least exist in the imagination. And there’s one imaginative lad who’s found a way to bring the catbus to life in the cutest way possible. All it takes is two ingredients: a fluffy, compliant cat and some Finnish beer.
My Neighbor Totoro is one of the most magical of all of Studio Ghibli‘s films, and instantly recognisable all over the world due to its iconic and other-worldly characters: cuddly Totoro, the loveable soot mites, and the magical Catbus which main characters Mei and Satsuki are treated to a ride inside. At the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, kids can even climb inside a life-size Catbus replica.
But if that wasn’t reason enough to fit a visit to the Ghibli house into your Japan sightseeing schedule, here’s another – it’s the only place in the world you can watch the 2002 short sequel to the much-beloved 1988 film, Mei and the Kittenbus!


















Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Who wins in a battle of McDonald’s and Komeda Coffee’s chicken tatsuta burgers?【Taste test】
Stars of Japan’s longest-running anime get gorgeous modern makeover in new video【Video】
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
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 feature
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
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 events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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
Who wins in a battle of McDonald’s and Komeda Coffee’s chicken tatsuta burgers?【Taste test】
Stars of Japan’s longest-running anime get gorgeous modern makeover in new video【Video】
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. appear as the gods of wind & thunder in new ukiyo-e woodblock print
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes