Allowing for female succession would require changes to law and over a thousand years of cultural tradition.
Emperor
The complex in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, which serves as a home for Japan’s royalty, is almost three decades old.
The emperor hopes to support efforts to eliminate child poverty and organizations that aid those affected by disasters.
Now’s your last chance to see structures that can’t be seen again until the ascension of the next emperor.
The Nara Hotel offers royal-class hospitality, but right now you won’t have to pay a king’s ransom to experience it.
Teenage girl’s Tik Tok video goes viral after she spots Emperor Naruhito on the royal train.
New emperor’s rainy enthronement ceremony takes place at Imperial Palace while the sword’s regular home experiences blue skies and sunshine.
Emperor Naruhito looks back on emperors of the past before turning his eyes to the nation’s future.
Listen to this video, and you’ll swear one of the greatest pieces of video game music was secretly a prophecy that took 32 years to come true.
The new era name doesn’t have any of the kanji characters for “Shinzo Abe,” but some people saw the politician’s name all the same.
Prime Minister explains rationale behind decision and compares people of Japan to flowers, but not cherry blossoms.


















Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
Final Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Yoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Yoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport airlines announce stricter luggage check-in deadline for domestic flights
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Sanrio characters join forces with your favorite Japanese snack mascots as prizes at Family Mart
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan has a “Totoro Tree” that looks just like the Studio Ghibli anime star【Photos】