Golden Week
Survey reveals a growing interest in facilities and experiences with beautiful scenery outside of central Tokyo.
Sadly for certain tourist hotspots, stricter measures must be enacted to protect their residents.
If you don’t want to waste a huge amount of time in Japan’s cultural capital, here’s something you’ll want to avoid.
One man is arrested in relation to the incident that injured a number of pedestrians during one of Japan’s busiest holidays.
As well as being the start of the new business and academic year, April in Japan also marks the time when new graduates make their first forays into the world of full-time employment and many companies rotate their staff both to keep them on their toes and help them acquire new skills. It’s a fun, frenetic time of year, and everyone from kids in their new school uniforms to fresh-faced employees wearing crisp, black suits looks tremendously smart and presentable as they hurry to their place of education or employment, eager to make the most of their day.
In May, however, it all comes crashing down. Reality sets in and people start to realise that everything is just as awful as it was before, albeit with a few quirks and a shiny new name badge or lunchbox. The fire in kids’ bellies goes out, the twinkle disappears from new employees’ eyes, and they start to approach their work with all the enthusiasm of a pot-smoking snail going through a serious emo phase.
This, dear reader, is gogatsu-byou; the phenomenon that occurs every May and affects millions of Japanese to some degree or other.
IKEA is a shopper’s paradise. The colors, the designs, and the price all work together and the impeccably presented showrooms make you want to recreate them in your own home. In Japan, there is the extra bonus of that “European style” that really speaks to some shoppers. IKEA is also well-known for its restaurant, where customers can relax and daydream about the new layout of their rooms while stuffing their face full of meatballs. For a limited time in Tokyo, IKEA has made it possible for you to experience living in a space all decked out in IKEA goods and stuff your face with Swedish meatballs at the same time!
This year’s Golden Week is shaping up to be awesome. Not only do people living in Japan get a handful of government sanctioned holidays sprinkled throughout the first week of May, we also get some sweet deals on food. Not only is McDonald’s giving away a free in-car “potato holder” to patrons who purchase a meal deal with a large order of fries, but Baskin Robbins Japan has just announced a 31 percent discount on a double scoop of ice cream during Golden Week!
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Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
No, that’s not French bread, it’s Japan’s crazy-big gobo!
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese sandals dyed with real Uji matcha are here to whisk you off your feet
We try new ‘adrift at sea’ experience and end up floating alone on the Yamaguchi coast
Japan’s super easy sweet potato spread lets you make sweet potato bread thanks to Don Quijote
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view- Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
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No, that’s not French bread, it’s Japan’s crazy-big gobo!
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese sandals dyed with real Uji matcha are here to whisk you off your feet
We try new ‘adrift at sea’ experience and end up floating alone on the Yamaguchi coast
Japan’s super easy sweet potato spread lets you make sweet potato bread thanks to Don Quijote
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Yoshinoya?
Free Pokémon-catching mini game with all 151 Kanto Pokémon added to Google searches!
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
In search of the fish with a human face in Japan
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