C’mon Abe, you can do it! You’ve got nothing to lose… Except maybe your pride.
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ceremonies
Netizens fear Japan may have missed out on capitalizing on one of its hottest current exports.
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The man who kneads rice at incredible speeds of three hits per second lets us into his world and tells us why he lives for making mochi.
Every fall, parents in Japan who have children that are three, five, or seven years old celebrate something called Shichi-Go-San (literally “Seven-Five-Three”). The family heads to a Shinto shrine, where the priest performs a blessing for girls aged three and seven and boys aged five, praying for them to have long and healthy lives.
But since some pet owners will argue that their animal companions are their children, certain shrines now offer Shichi-Go-San blessings for pets, too, some of whom show up wearing delightful pet kimono!




Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
What it’s like to get a haircut at Japan’s oldest barber shop
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Survey says osechi New Year’s food differs according to each region in Japan
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
What it’s like to get a haircut at Japan’s oldest barber shop
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Survey says osechi New Year’s food differs according to each region in Japan
Six uniquely Osaka experiences
City in Nagano Prefecture rethinks “ghetto” program for female entrepreneurs
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Yes, the residents of Fukushima really are this “Happy”
Japan’s wildest Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony celebrates new adults in Kitakyushu 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Second series in Uniqlo’s “Pokémon Meets Artist” collection of graphic T-shirts revealed