Company conducts an experiment to see whether it can harness the power of the feline to save on monthly electricity costs and be more eco-friendly.
hamster
These furry brooches look amazing … and the best part? You don’t have to worry about creating holes in your clothes or bags!
Watch this clever hamster smash her way through the game, complete with an adorable detour down the pipe.
Having a rough day? Then sit back, relax, and watch this quiet video of someone expertly crafting tiny cup ramen noodles.
It really is the year of the hamster in Japan, as pet owners vie for top spot in a Hamster Championship Series on Twitter.
Regardless of the country you do it in, teaching can be a tough profession. Tasked with handling and helping to raise humanity’s most valuable resource, our educators must also put up with tight restrictions and even tighter budgets.
It’s a heavy burden and as a result not surprising when a teacher cracks under the stress every once in a while. I’m not saying that is what happened on the morning of 11 May in a classroom in South Korea, but it certainly seems like a plausible explanation of the case of the teacher who swallowed a live hamster in front of their class.
Cleaning is not a fun task, but it’s not so bad if someone else does it for you, right? One little fluff-ball of a hamster does not agree. When Mochitaro’s owner opened his cage to give it a little scrubbing, Mochitaro was in despair.
It seems that hamster trends come and go on the ‘Net: earlier this year hamster butts were totally in, and before that flat hamsters were all the rage. Now the hot new thing is hamster bellies! And not just their fluffy bellies, but specifically their underside seen from below.
I didn’t watch a lot of TV during college, and before you think I’m saying that to try and come off as some high-minded intellectual, I’ll quickly admit that I filled that spare time playing video games and watching anime DVDs. One program I do remember catching, though, was a Fox special in which humans went against animals in a series of contests.
In one event, Takeru Kobayashi, Japan’s champion competitive eater, was pitted against a bear to see who could eat more hot dogs. The bear won with ease, because, well, it’s a bear for God’s sake.
Now, though, Kobayashi’s back for a rematch with the animal kingdom, but this time with a smaller opponent: an adorable hamster.
This futon, although technically meant for an iPhone (because Japan), is now home to a little hamster who seems to have found his new favorite spot. This has got to be the cutest case of theft we’ve ever seen!
We posted a silly video of baby ducks on our site last Monday, hoping to cheer up any of our readers who were going through a tough first day back at work. Two days later, we received the following comment on the video (thank you J.R.!): “No matter how bad your day was, remember that this video is waiting for you….”
This got us thinking…why not try to cure our readers’ Monday blues every Monday!? So may we humbly present to you the first video in our weekly series, “Monday Kickstart.” You won’t find explanations about Japanese culture or deep, enlightening thoughts, just something to make you smile as you begin your long haul into the week.
Summer has come early in Japan this year and everyone’s doing their best to stave off the heat in temperatures that have reached up to 40°C in some parts of the country.
In the midst of all the sweat and suncream it looks like this little guy’s found a novel way to keep cool. The added bonus is that he looks absolutely adorable, but the downside is that, at least to Japanese people, he seems positively edible!



















New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
No doctors or hairdressers! Survey asks Japanese women what professions they don’t want to date
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
As more foreign visitors visit Kyoto’s top sights, Japanese travelers increasingly staying away
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
No doctors or hairdressers! Survey asks Japanese women what professions they don’t want to date
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
As more foreign visitors visit Kyoto’s top sights, Japanese travelers increasingly staying away
Which of Japan’s big three beef bowl chains has the best tonjiru pork miso soup?【Taste test】
Survey asks Japanese women if they’d rather date a guy who’s experienced with women or not
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Kura Sushi adds new cake party train to conveyor belts at select restaurants
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Super Crazy Kun wins seat in Toda City Council election
Kura Sushi wants to see you smile for a chance to win prizes
Pronto Pokémon cafe collab brings exclusive merch and a clever way to take photos of your food