We have to admit that we may have lost a little faith in Nintendo over the past couple of years. The Wii U is a curious piece of hybrid hardware that has yet to see any truly groundbreaking titles, and the company’s uncharacteristically zealous foray into the world of 3-D technology with its most recent portable took us off guard. But 2014 is shaping up to be a good year not just for Nintendo but for Wii U owners.
Unveiled a few months ago, Mario Kart 8 looked to be more of the same and left many wishing Nintendo would stop adding wacky accessories to its cartoon go-karts and just give us classic Mario racing like we had on the SNES, but videos taken at the recent Gamescom event in Cologne show just how nicely the game is shaping up to be, with beautiful tracks and karts as well as brand new game dynamics. Suffice it to say, our interest has most definitely been piqued.
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Eating all the cat treats at Japanese convenience store Family Mart
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Uniqlo teams up with Alexander Wang for a stylish Heat Tech collection
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Eating all the cat treats at Japanese convenience store Family Mart
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Uniqlo teams up with Alexander Wang for a stylish Heat Tech collection
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
The Japan National Championship of Magic 2025 coming to Tokyo this May
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
In law-abiding, snowy Japan, even this deer apparently follows the traffic rules
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026