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A Night in the Valley of Witches makes its screening debut, and Hayao Miyazaki’s first-ever art exhibition created for Ghibli’s theme park, three years in the making, opens too.
The Nakano family opens a second rice paddy art site this year and shares more about the process that goes into their annual labor of love.
Following suspiciously swift sell-out of Yoshinoya’s Dragon Quest Slime bowls, new policy means that everyone who wants one can buy one at the regular price.
![7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_3c85fd.jpg?w=640 "7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]")
Vietnam’s star sandwich reaches a new milestone on the road to mainstream popularity in Japan.
![Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_2847e1.jpg?w=640 "Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]")
Nicknack is the culmination of layers upon layers of branding quasi-copying, and also home to some very unusual Pikachus.
![The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/0_8d5bf5.jpg?w=640 "The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]")
Dragon Quest Slimes appear at Yoshinoya, and the restaurant is trying to make sure they go home with actual fans.
Conquer Japan’s tallest mountain in style with a lineup born from the restoration of an ancient pilgrimage path.
Mister Donut saw all the Mocchurin that it had made, and they were very good…too good, in fact.
With barley tea going into glasses as the weather heats up, we find out what goes into making barley tea.
Did the aftermath of Japan’s final match in the World Cup group stage result in order or chaos at one of Tokyo’s biggest gathering spots?
![Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/2_fd30d3.jpg?w=640 "Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]")
Tacos and spaghetti have earned love around the world, but will their meeting in Japan be a tragedy?
While waiting for the train, there’s always one spot he hopes will be empty when it comes.
![Testing Japan’s latest food hack trend: Adding instant corn soup powder to popcorn[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/cornpotagepopcorn.jpg?w=640 "Testing Japan’s latest food hack trend: Adding instant corn soup powder to popcorn[Taste test]")
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Today
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Weekly
- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!- New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan- Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Yearly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Tokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
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