England
After riding on the Tube in London, our Japanese reporter is thankful for crowded Tokyo trains.
In preparation for his music festival debut, our reporter once again summons the spirit of a Swedish guitar hero.
Why do we love Japan so much? What drives us to obsess over its culture, language, food, and everything else? Why do we keep coming back day after day to read articles about a country that, for many of us, is on the other side of the planet? For some the answer is easy, but for others, not so much.
One group for whom foreigners’ love of Japan is especially difficult to comprehend is the Japanese people themselves. Many of them have no idea why so many of us would bother to take an interest in Japan, much less learn its intimidating language. In an effort to try to figure this out, one of our RocketNews24 Japanese writers who lives in England did some investigate journalism and interviewed three students studying Japanese at the University of Cambridge.
Do their reasons for loving Japan match yours? Read on to find out!
Miso soup: the quintessential Japanese food. The soup takes on a different form from region to region and in different households throughout Japan, but it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that miso soup is the soul of Japanese cooking.
However, one of England’s top chefs recently published his own take on the soup. What kind of “neo-Japanese soup” could this possibly be!? Of course, our reporter just had to find out by making it herself–keep reading to see the results of her cooking after the jump.
Japanese band World Order robot-dances their way around London in their latest music video while locals look on amused and confused. Check out the full video plus screenshots after the jump!
MOST POPULAR
Now
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Bear attack shelters going on sale in Japan as country experiences record-high number of incidents
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Free to download Japanese marriage applications are cute, stylish, and legally binding
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako sparks heated debate after revealing insane 2020 income
Illustrator creates beautiful “Bicycle Boy” watercolour series inspired by Studio Ghibli
Weekly
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Monthly
- 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 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
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Free to download Japanese marriage applications are cute, stylish, and legally binding
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako sparks heated debate after revealing insane 2020 income
Illustrator creates beautiful “Bicycle Boy” watercolour series inspired by Studio Ghibli
The Japanese art of making trash containers from old papers
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Is this Hello Kitty hotel room in Tokyo good enough to impress an 8-year-old girl?
-
