We head to Osaka’s world-famous canal district and see who’s thriving and who’s struggling with the drop in travelers from China.
Dotonbori
Landmark Dotonbori ramen restaurant’s famous dragon is going to be cut down to legally allowable size.
Scenes from the weekend show not everyone was interested in staying away from hotspots like Shibuya and Osaka during Halloween.
After losing its giant fugu blowfish, people are now worried about the health of the city’s big crustacean.
Anime eatery’s first branch in central Japan offers exclusive food and merch for mecha fans.
Remeber Gudetama, the lazy egg character from Hello Kitty owner Sanrio? Well, it turns out that the unmotivated egg with an extremely unmascot-like personality has gained quite a following in Japan. Apparently, his soft appearance and to an even greater extent, his lazy disposition, which prompts him to mutter phrases like “I have no strength” and “I can’t feel motivated enough to do anything” have earned him considerable popularity. In fact, he’s popular enough to have had his very own character cafe for a limited time in the past, and recently, he’s been collaborating with Dotonbori, a chain of restaurants that serves okonomiyaki, which are Japanese pancakes containing various ingredients such as cabbage, meat and seafood.
That’s right, at Dotonbori, you can use actual eggs to add realistic Gudetama faces to your food. Now, that sounded like too much fun to pass up, so our reporters from our Japanese sister site went to one of the Dotobori shops and actually tried it! Read More













Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
Wazigen Shizukaya’s latest collection of modern men’s kimono make a move for high fashion
What does three months of Yoshinoya beef bowls do to your body? Medical study announces results
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
Wazigen Shizukaya’s latest collection of modern men’s kimono make a move for high fashion
What does three months of Yoshinoya beef bowls do to your body? Medical study announces results
Are all Starbucks coffee sizes the same? Testing the viral video claim in Japan
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Internet survey sheds light on how Japanese women deal with the hair ‘down there’
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Hello Kitty and Badtz-maru grace high-class Arita-yaki ceramic Yoshinoya bowl that could be yours