Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Hayao Miyazaki (Page 36)
While the official release date of Ghibli’s new feature anime film, The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu), is still a few short days away, numerous preview screenings have already taken place across Japan. We too, went to a screening earlier this month and offered you our impressions after seeing the movie, and now, with all the reviews from luckier members off the public trickling in, it seems that not everyone is happy with Ghibli’s new creation, especially the younger audience.
“The wind is rising! … We must attempt to live! (Le vent se lève ! … Il faut tenter de vivre!” — Paul Valéry, Le Cimetière marin
Fans of Japanese anime will know by now that the release of a new Studio Ghibli movie is surrounded by a fair amount of hype. Their newest film, The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu), scheduled for release in Japan on July 20, is certainly no exception, especially since it’s the first Ghibli movie in five years to be directed by the studio’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki. Now that preview screenings of the movie have started, we were anxious to get our hands on a ticket. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we were able to do, so we thought we’d share our experience with you.
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
Japanese business wear brand creates helpful graph to tell you what to wear at work
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melodyFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Experimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know aboutAmerican man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
Sushi Bus starts running in Japan, but is it a tourist trap or tourist must-do?New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goodsFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendshipTokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
Japanese business wear brand creates helpful graph to tell you what to wear at work
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
Bilingual illustrated ninja guide stealthily drops courtesy of a top ninja researcher in Japan
American senior citizen tourist arrested in Japan for bringing gun into country in his luggage
American teenage tourist arrested on suspicion of arson in Tokyo during family trip
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Town in Kanagawa struggling with violent gang of monkeys
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person