Date Masamune
Super snazzy samurai armor-wearing teddy bears will be ready for your next Children’s Day display!
Direct descendant of Date Masamune becomes first Japanese entrant to win talent portion with her beautiful opera vocals.
We’ve all been there, waking up late after the alarm didn’t go off or just hitting the snooze button a few hundred times too many. Sometimes the excuses are legitimate and sometimes everyone knows you didn’t actually get food poisoning while rescuing a Girl Scout troop from a box of bad cookies. Still, calling in sick has a timed-honored tradition of hard (and lazy) workers for decades — and, in fact, for centuries!
A recently discovered document on display at the Tochigi Prefectural Museum reveals the reason why one daimyo (samurai warlord) was late to an important meeting with his boss, the famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi. We’re guessing “Sorry, boss, I have a sore throat!” probably didn’t cut it with one of Japan’s great unifiers…






Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
We learn the terrifying secret of Silent Hill ramen
Japan’s leading maker of giant cat heads needs your help!
Japan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
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
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
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
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
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
We learn the terrifying secret of Silent Hill ramen
Japan’s leading maker of giant cat heads needs your help!
Japan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
Pokémon Mister Donut lucky bags essentially pay you with Pokémon merch for eating dessert
Kansai-exclusive takoyaki Cup Noodle lives up to half of the expectations its name produces
The top nine stand-and-eat soba noodle restaurants in Tokyo
10-yen sushi? Such wonders do exist at new Tokyo restaurant in Shinjuku
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Anime and video game backgrounds now free to download for video conference calls