Apple’s iPhone 5S went on sale in Japan on September 20, with electronics aficionados, including our own Mr. Sato, lining up days in advance in order to purchase one on launch day.
Obviously, you have to love your electronics to be willing to camp out on the sidewalk, especially with a typhoon hitting the Tokyo area right before the new model’s release. Blogger Junichi Suzaki wondered if there might be something other than the promise of shiny new tech convincing people to spend multiple days and nights in line, though, and found a surprising motivation for the people at the head of the line.
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
Green onion baths return to Japanese bathhouse to celebrate Labor Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Burger King releases a Pickleball Burger in Japan
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
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
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
Green onion baths return to Japanese bathhouse to celebrate Labor Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Burger King releases a Pickleball Burger in Japan
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Kawaii concrete? Japanese retailer selling cuddly tetrapods for a limited time only
Tokyo’s beckoning cat temple asks foreign tourists to stop writing on the beckoning cats they buy
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Immersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair
Family Mart makes new anti-food-waste stickers, free for other stores and restaurants to use too