Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Dean Fujioka
Whatever your job entails, the strongest support is usually closest to home. But actor Dean Fujioka is better known in Taiwan and Hong Kong than he is in his native Japan.
The actor, musician and director, who made his American debut earlier this month in the wild west detective series The Pinkertons, calls himself a “nomad actor” – as long as there’s an international airport, he’ll go wherever his work takes him.
Tokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
British man arrested for biting Japanese police officer during shokumu shitsumon questioning
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
A visit to the back-alley Tokyo ramen restaurant listed in the Michelin dining guide
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Tourists in Kyoto cause chaos at railway crossing near Fushimi Inari Taisha
Forget dog-earing and bookmarks that fall, make your own easy origami bookmark instead!
Secret unstaffed hot spring in Japan will make you feel like you’ve been spirited away
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
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】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bentoStarbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s DayJapan 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
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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 TokyoStarbucks 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
A visit to the back-alley Tokyo ramen restaurant listed in the Michelin dining guide
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Tourists in Kyoto cause chaos at railway crossing near Fushimi Inari Taisha
Forget dog-earing and bookmarks that fall, make your own easy origami bookmark instead!
Secret unstaffed hot spring in Japan will make you feel like you’ve been spirited away
You can now own Shinjuku’s giant 3-D cat in accessory form
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
Obama dreams of tempura: The Tokyo restaurant where even the US President can’t get a table
Denny’s Japan created crazy split-in-half parfaits to target social media photo-snapping foodies
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Time to open the final Village Vanguard Luck Bag of 2026, the magical girl Red Lucky Bag
Heart/body-warming anime video is a beautiful love letter to family and miso soup【Video】
Bear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】