Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Flaptter
If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli’s films, you’ve probably noticed that director Hayao Miyazaki has a love for planes and all other manner of flying machines, which make numerous appearances in many of his movies. We’ve seen a Miyazaki creation come to life before with the construction of the glider called Möwe, as seen in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, but here’s one now for you Laputa: Castle in the Sky lovers – a real working Flaptter!
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
No doctors or hairdressers! Survey asks Japanese women what professions they don’t want to date
Shinkansen: “Seats can be quickly used as shields in the event of an attack”
Convenience store fried chicken going into school lunches in Japan for Family Mart anniversary
Number of foreigners working in Japan hits all-time high, 25 percent come from same country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime characterNine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizzaKomachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
No doctors or hairdressers! Survey asks Japanese women what professions they don’t want to date
Shinkansen: “Seats can be quickly used as shields in the event of an attack”
Convenience store fried chicken going into school lunches in Japan for Family Mart anniversary
Number of foreigners working in Japan hits all-time high, 25 percent come from same country
Five Okinawan foods that have changed our reporter’s view on local cuisine forever
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
Japan has a special foil for roasting sweet potatoes at home, and it’s like having a time machine
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
The 5 best entry-level roadside stations in Japan’s Kanto Region, according to experts
Our reporter tries amemonaka, the traditional sweet from Niigata Prefecture