Driving in Japan
Some special parking areas in Japan have more thrills to offer than luxury high-tech toilets.
Local resident reveals the real reason why their roads are wider than other parts of Japan.
Although the results are an improvement on previous years, a worrying number of drivers aren’t stopping at pedestrian crossings.
Among the many superstitions that exist in Japan, fortune telling based on blood type still remains popular. Most profiles of anime and manga characters or celebrities include blood type, and it’s not uncommon for some Japanese to attempt to predict the behavior of others based what kind of blood is coursing through their veins.
But with only four personality types to choose from, that doesn’t leave very much room for variation. That may be one reason why over the years Japan has seen a boom in Western astrology, with many fashion magazines, books, and character items catering to those interested in finding out or showing off what their zodiac sign purportedly says about their personality. In fact, considering the recent release of driving horoscopes by one prefecture’s police department, it seems even government officials are now in on the craze.
It’s okay, you can admit it. The second you finished watching The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, you wish and hoped and prayed that some day you would be able to live in Tokyo and be a badass street racer. For most of us (all of us?) that is just a mere fantasy. Short of hopping a plane, foolishly challenging the local Drift King, destroying a Nissan Silvia S-15, drift practicing your ass off, watching your friend die in a fiery car crash, and eventually beating the Drift King himself…what’s a daydreamer to do?



















Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Let’s go open a Lego Japan lucky bag…o
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Real-life Spirited Away train line found in Japan?
Death of a Japanese man attacked by bear sparks conversation about what to do when facing off with one
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Japan has $10 bananas from the coldest prefecture in the country, but how do they taste?
This is the one and only kakuni pork bowl restaurant in Tokyo, and it’s amazing
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
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 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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
Death of a Japanese man attacked by bear sparks conversation about what to do when facing off with one
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Japan has $10 bananas from the coldest prefecture in the country, but how do they taste?
This is the one and only kakuni pork bowl restaurant in Tokyo, and it’s amazing
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Japan’s Three Most Disappointing Tourist Sites: Sapporo Clock Tower
Japan super budget dining – The best way to spend 1,000 yen at Ohsho, Japan’s favorite gyoza chain
Japanese survey ranks Hokkaido as the most desirable prefecture to settle down in
Heading off the beaten path in Hokkaido for a beautiful view and local sweets
Footage of very loud Hokkaido Shinkansen tunnel blast delights the public【Video】
Japan’s “edible tear gas ramen” lives up to its name【Taste test】
Massive blizzard creates crazy snow scenes in Sapporo【Photos, videos】
Starbucks blends Japanese and Western flavours together in new Frappuccino