Buddha, president of the United States also explicitly recognized as potential characters in surprisingly wide-open competition.
contest (Page 2)
Gudetama, the lovable lazy egg from Sanrio, is again “busy” at work, this time as a limited edition McDonald’s dessert!
Tokyo’s Yamanote loop line is getting its first new station in nearly half a century, and Japan Railways wants you to give it a name.
There’s something even more important than cool characters and a great story, and this contestant completely forgot about it.
Sprint wants to send you and three of your friends to Yokohama for the Pikachu Outbreak Festival in August!
Publisher nixes two of the most common storytelling tricks in the anime playbook in attempt to create something adults can enjoy.
Were you one of the thousands of people who entered our epic KitKat giveaway? Find out if you’ve won here!
Love Kit Kats? Wish you could get your hands on the amazing varieties available only in Japan? How about a whole box of them?
After reading through a mountainous pile of entries, we’re ready to announce the four lucky instant noodle/Pokémon fans who’ve won some Pikachu ramen. Are you one of them? Read on to find out!
Want to get your hands on some genuine, Japan-only Pikachu ramen? Read on to find out how you can in our RocketNews24 reader giveaway!
Because it’s not like it can choose itself, is it?
We all know that smoking is an unhealthy habit. Each year about 200,000 people in Japan alone die from smoking- (and passive smoking-) related illnesses. On a global scale, about six million die from smoking-related diseases every year.
In an effort to reduce the number of smokers in Japan, Japanese anti-smoking NPO No Smoke holds an annual video contest titled “Tobacco is Harmful to Your Health”, calling for original video submissions that raise awareness of the dangers and harmful effects of smoking.
The first-place winner of the video contest held in 2012 created a movie highlighting the simple differences between smokers and non-smokers in terms of financial cost. As we’re about to see, smoking is not only harmful to your health but a horribly expensive habit.


















Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Six towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Six towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Shochu maker on remote Japanese island plays music as its spirits age, flavor varies by genre
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s 2026 popularity poll results are in and the champion flavor is crowned
The Mandalorian and Grogu film inspires a new set of Ginza Cozy Corner mini cakes and more
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]