Planes are never especially pleasant places to be. Even up in first class, you’re stuck in your seat for hours on end with no chance of stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, and with so many bodies packed into the same metal tube, it’s inevitable that the air starts to get a bit stale after a while. On the plus side, the worst you’ll have to deal with is a bit of body odor or your neighbor’s stinky snack food and not the overwhelming stench of a Greyhound port-a-potty.
Well, unless you happened to be on this flight from Beijing to Detroit last week…

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Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
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This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Famichiki Pancake Steamed Buns take Japanese convenience store food to a whole other level
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost