crazy
![Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/10_3769c2.jpg?w=640 "Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]")
![A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/00.jpg?w=640 "A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]")
Some reminders: Japan isn’t always as wacky as foreign media wants to think it is, literal translation can trip non-linguists up, and Osamu Tezuka was a really good manga creator.
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
![Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/1_691cbd.jpg?w=640 "Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]")
Police not pleased with plan of leaving elementary schooler unattended for hours on Japan’s tallest mountain.
There are a lot of hoops to jump through at Uchida, but is this 80-year-old pub worth the hassle?
![A practical guide to freezing your boss’ hat in a block of ice [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/1_a01e7b.jpg?w=640 "A practical guide to freezing your boss’ hat in a block of ice [Photos]")
This is an important skill for working adults to acquire, and we’re here to walk you through the process step by step.
![These Japanese contact lenses let you put anime characters on your eyes [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/0_80e52c.jpg?w=640 "These Japanese contact lenses let you put anime characters on your eyes [Photos]")
![Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/md-1.jpg?w=640 "Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]")
Sanrio’s kaiju crossover gives one cute character two extra heads, plus gives one character often overlooked in Japan some time in the spotlight.
![Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/1_ee3a7c.jpg?w=640 "Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]")
Kumamoto City izakaya began flooding with hot, sulfur-smelling water immediately after quake.
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Today
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
Roaming rubbish bin robot at Shinjuku Station solves the problem of where to put your trash
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo’s Shibuya puts up new posters asking visitors to use recycle boxes properly
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Eel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
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Weekly
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
- How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals- Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
- New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo’s Shibuya puts up new posters asking visitors to use recycle boxes properly
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Eel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
Japanese restaurant chain offering free food for a year if you beat massive meat bowl challenge
Japan’s 20-year Ig Nobel winning streak continues thanks to people blowing their noses
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
Real-world Zelda Master Sword on the way from American toymaker, plays game music and sounds
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
We tried Japan’s Wobbly Beer Glass that forces you to drink water, and it humbled us
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
Converse Japan releases green tea cup sneakers so you can wear your love for sushi on your feet
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
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