Size difference makes human cleaners of the Daibutsu statue look like tiny little spirits.
daibutsu
Surreal scenes of Nara’s giant Buddha statue getting its once-a-year cleaning from 170 people【Video】
If you’re a fan of mecha anime, you’ll know all about towering robots and the impressive displays of power they show during large-scale, epic battles. One of the titans of the mecha world, Gundam, is so revered in Japan he’s been recreated to scale and stands looking out over Tokyo Bay, wowing crowds with his strength and height.
Gundam might not be so happy, however, to learn that a picture doing the rounds on the internet is making him look tiny when compared with his peaceful brother from another otherworldly realm. To be fair though, not much can compete with Ushiku Daibutsu, the tallest Buddha statue in the world, who lives just a 90-minute train ride from Narita Station.
MOST POPULAR
Now
All Lotteria fast food restaurants in Japan to close by the end of March
Does your butt get cold in the winter? Try this butt heater cushion to keep you warm and cozy
Heart/body-warming anime video is a beautiful love letter to family and miso soup【Video】
Tokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
Support your faves and avoid oshikatsu burnout — advice from our resident otaku
Famous Japanese painter’s centuries-old cat artwork proves Japan has always loved felines
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Weekly
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations- Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
- Tokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- Japan 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
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware- Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Yearly
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- 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
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Famous Japanese painter’s centuries-old cat artwork proves Japan has always loved felines
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Adult Cream Pie coming to McDonald’s Japan
Japan issuing beautiful new coins to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement
Cup Noodle adapts Internet hit song “Kao-don” into new commercial
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at KFC Japan?
These Ajinomoto frozen Japanese dishes from France baffled our Japanese reporter【Taste test】
Store where you pay to shoplift returns to Tokyo
Time to open the final Village Vanguard Luck Bag of 2026, the magical girl Red Lucky Bag
Tokyo capsule toy machine gives you real samurai-era antique coins, but are they worth anything?
Pokémon menstrual pads appear in Japan【Photos】
-
