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













Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Best practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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
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 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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Best practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
A taste of Japanese curry usually only sold overseas, at Tokyo’s Curry House CoCo Ichibanya World
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
This themed Starbucks in Seoul is hidden away in possibly the coolest location ever
Saitama women arrested for dueling
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Complete set of bedroom, living room furniture for cats created by Japanese woodworking companies