In 2008, anime fans around the world would have loved to trade places with Catherine St. Onge, better known by her stage name, Himeka. The then-27-year-old Canadian singer had just won a national anime song contest in Japan, besting over 3,000 rivals to secure a recording contract and guaranteed theme song performance for an upcoming anime series.
Unfortunately, fame is a fickle thing. Unable to secure commercial success or a new work visa, Himeka had to return to Canada in 2014, even as she wistfully stated she wanted to remain in Japan forever. A year later, though, she’s singing a very different tune, tweeting that she “probably shouldn’t have come to Japan” in the first place and regrets her time in the country.
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Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
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Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
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
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Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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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
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Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
A look at the cosplay of the 2025 Osaka Comic Con
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
The top 10 famous men that Japanese women wish would make love to them【Survey】
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
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We try Keiji, an incredibly rare and expensive one-in-ten-thousand salmon sushi 【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan goes high-class with new line of crème brûlée dessert beverages
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