Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Fuwapaca
It wasn’t just gross and scary games on show at Tokyo Game Show this year; there were also some really adorable games to try out, too. When we saw this booth with its sweet, fluffy alpacas we made a beeline for the cuteness. We got to chat with the dev and try out their two alpaca-themed mobile games, taking some snaps of the alpaca-ified booth and merch as we did for you at home.
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Fewer Japanese people traveling domestically, government blames birth rate, others blame foreign crowds, costs
Why do tourists eat noodles with a green onion instead of chopsticks in this Edo town?
The world’s most expensive tissues? Might as well wipe your boogers on a $100 bill!
Japan’s mini VHS anime home video replicas are the newest blast of capsule toy nostalgia【Pics】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Old postcards reveal famous Japanese tourist spots as they appeared 100 years ago
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girlsUnique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo releases exclusive Christmas goods in Japan
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped trainSanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Why do tourists eat noodles with a green onion instead of chopsticks in this Edo town?
The world’s most expensive tissues? Might as well wipe your boogers on a $100 bill!
Japan’s mini VHS anime home video replicas are the newest blast of capsule toy nostalgia【Pics】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Old postcards reveal famous Japanese tourist spots as they appeared 100 years ago
“A dead bug” and other amusing, adorable, snarky, and downright ridiculous test responses
The almost immediate problems on our almost no-plan trip to Yakushima
Our Japanese reporter’s experience with crawfish in the US left him stunned
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is adding a giant Godzilla statue to its international terminal
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
This extra-fancy new Tokyo Yoshinoya is now one of our favorite Tokyo cafes to chill at【Photos】
35 fascinating photos of Korea from 100 years ago (before K-dramas took over Asia)
We try all-you-can-eat raw eggs for 730 yen, turns out to be way better than it sounds
We visit Japan’s only specialty toothpick store to buy products steeped in 300-year-old history