Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Commonwealth Games
The 2014 Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3 with 71 nations competing in 18 different sports, table tennis among them. If you’ve never watched table tennis before, then you might be forgiven for thinking that it’s not particularly exciting. Think again.
Tokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
British man arrested for biting Japanese police officer during shokumu shitsumon questioning
Japanese politician caught watching crocodile video in parliament meeting finally explains himself
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
Visit the mythical cave that hid the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology
Tokyo’s Shinjuku is looking very different with its giant westside skyscraper torn down【Photos】
Starbucks Japan vs. its two big rivals – Who’s got the best Mont Blanc chestnut sweets?
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bentoStarbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s DayJapan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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 TokyoStarbucks 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
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
Visit the mythical cave that hid the Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology
Tokyo’s Shinjuku is looking very different with its giant westside skyscraper torn down【Photos】
Starbucks Japan vs. its two big rivals – Who’s got the best Mont Blanc chestnut sweets?
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
New Tokyo restaurant charges higher prices to foreign tourists than Japanese locals
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
How true to life is the trailer for Brendon Fraser’s movie about Japanese rental families?
We tried Mama’s Poop served fresh from a Tokyo eatery
Rental grandma service growing in Japan, can help cook or break up with boyfriends
We splurge at the new Blue Bottle Coffee vending machines in Tokyo
Comic Walker app launches with 18 manga titles in English