collectables
The three new designs give us a sneak peek at what McDonald’s has in store for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Bandai is giving otaku (especially of the fourth category) all over Japan yet another reason to be grateful. The mother of all toy, video game and anime distributors is introducing their new figure storage service. That’s right, if your living space looks like an anime convention storage locker, Bandai’s got your back.
For a small monthly fee, you can now store your goodies by the box, which means you no longer have to sleep with your beloved figures in your bed—that is, unless, you choose to.
A few weeks ago, online shopping site Run@Town began selling a series of special edition Star Wars themed notebooks. Although they were basically just a standard-issue school notebooks with jackets featuring images from the original three films, they sold out in the blink of an eye, and there are people still waiting for new stock to arrive. This week, the same online store announced another Star Wars tie-in, this time offering wooden hangers featuring busts of Yoda, C-3PO, a Stormtrooper, and smokes-20-a-day villain Darth Vader.
The best part is, by slipping them over the hanger, you can have the cast of characters wear your clothes, allowing you to create all kinds of weird mash-ups. And would you believe some of them actually look pretty cool? We have a feeling these are going to be Run@Town’s next sell-out item.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of Lucas Films’ Star Wars, just 35 limited-edition, solid gold C-3PO figurines went on sale yesterday for a mere 500,000 yen (about $6000).






Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Saying a prayer can open a passage between men’s and women’s baths at this Japanese hot spring
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Tully’s Japan reveals new lineup of sakura cherry blossom beverages, sweets and drinkware
Anime-style novel contest in Japan bans alternate reality stories and teen protagonists
What stormtroopers and Boba Fett would look like if Star Wars was set in feudal Japan
How to make tuna sashimi HAM with less than a minute of work【SoraKitchen】
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
We book a night in a bookshelf at Book and Bed in Shinjuku
Visiting Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 anime locations in real-life Hakone【Photos】
Singing and dancing lessons, too!? An inside-look at a Tokyo voice acting academy
How much money should you give children for New Year’s otoshidama? Adults weigh in