We find out if the limited-edition Sanrio frappe and smoothie taste as sweet as they look.
drinks
In the land of vending machines, what’s behind the biggest single-year decrease ever for soft drinks?
Sanrio characters add sweetness to first-ever McDonald’s smoothie and frappe collaboration, complete with a Japanese idol commercial.
Even the massively popular coffee chain itself wasn’t expecting such a positive response, prompting temporary closure less than half a year after opening.
Exciting new juice with over-the-top design features can only be found in six prefectures.
You might get lost on your way there, but you’ll be rewarded by a stunning escape filled with scones, antiques, and cow-shaped jugs.
There’s nothing for sale inside the machine, but Okinawan spirits and delicious deserts are waiting on the other side.
![Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/um-0.jpg?w=640 "Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]")
Family Mart’s lineup includes actual Hachimi Drink, collaboration also features “magic” clear files.
![Starbucks Japan’s Cream Puff Frappuccino is here! Did it make Friday the 13th lucky? [Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/1_1755c9.jpg?w=640 "Starbucks Japan’s Cream Puff Frappuccino is here! Did it make Friday the 13th lucky? [Taste test]")
Under-the-radar Japanese cafe chain serves a delicious salute to Ditto in celebration of Pokémon Pokopia.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Weekly
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]- Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time- Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Yearly
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Do different brands of Japanese tofu taste different? We try all the supermarket types to find out
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Five different ways to say “children” in Japanese
Pokémon GO to take over Tokyo’s Asakusa with ukiyo-e style routes
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Tokyo losing another iconic arcade with announced closure of 40-year-old Ikebukuro game center
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
A crash course in Japanese folktales from a trip to the five Taro Parks of Gifu【Photos】
-
