Emergency Drill
You, Me, And a Tanuki is a weekly featured blog run by Michelle, a Californian who is currently one of only two foreigners living in Chibu, a tiny fishing village on one of the Oki islands in Japan. Check back every Saturday for a new post or read more on her website here!
I remember during my school days in the United States, we would have a “Code Red” drill once a year where we practiced the proper protocol in the event a gunman came to school. We were taught the proper way to build a barricade using desks and chairs in our classroom, the best place to build it, and the different announcements and signals that we could expect to hear should such a situation occur. But the thing is, there was never an actual gunman or anyone playing the part of a gunman during the drill.
In Japan (or at least in my area of Japan), they do Code Red drills a little differently. First of all, in the Code Red drill scenario, there is no fictitious gunman, instead there is a fictitious crazy person trying to stab people. Read More


We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Hello Kitty becomes a suntanned beach babe for new magazine freebies in Japan
Tokyo’s Shibuya losing popularity as a place to go drinking, drops out of top 10 in survey
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
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
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
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Hello Kitty becomes a suntanned beach babe for new magazine freebies in Japan
Tokyo’s Shibuya losing popularity as a place to go drinking, drops out of top 10 in survey
Japanese restaurant serves extra wide noodles next to Tokyo Station
Take it From a Native! Recipe for Delicious Japanese Curry as Found at Coco Ichiban
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Free alcohol and curry make this cheap capsule hotel near Shinjuku Station a great place to stay
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Japanese Lolita fashion designers create amazing Madoka Magica dresses
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Cardcaptor Sakura engagement rings are here to help you capture your bride-to-be’s heart
TikTok releases its Year in Music 2025 – Japan’s Top 10 Songs ranking