Taste-testing a unique mix of two things Japan loves, but may or may not be meant to be enjoyed together.
COK (Page 11)
There have been a lot of dumb hikers needing to be rescued from Japan’s tallest mountain recently, but this time the circumstances are a little different.
Annual study finds sharp decline in interest among foreign residents to stick around for the long haul, but it’s probably leaving out some differing voices.
Why fight the landlubbers on shore for a decent view when you can take to the waters of Lake Ashi for a crowd-free festival?
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.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Japan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
Weekly
- Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
- New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign- Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person- Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?- New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Japan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi named Composer-in-Residence of Los Angeles Philharmonic
Umamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
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