horse racing
The hit video game/anime’s Haru Urara is a real horse, and fans have found a way to show their love for their heroine who never gave up.
If this was a spam advert, we’d have to say something along the lines of “local gambling enthusiasts are furious!”
Japan’s most popular symbol of the beautiful game continues with his newfound love of gambling.
With laser-blast-firing sumo wrestlers on horses, Japan Sumo Derby was one of the best things we’ve seen this year. So, how can it be topped? With Street Fighter characters!
Aside from having particularly large members of the animal kingdom as their stars, sumo wrestling and horse racing don’t have a whole lot in common. But the sport of kings and the sport of heavy, scantily clad men are teaming up in a cross-promotion that’s bizarre even by the standards of Japanese marketing, with Japan Sumo Derby, a free-to-play browser game filled with sumo wrestlers riding famous Japanese race horses.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Converse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
Pikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
New Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Weekly
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month- Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
- Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports- Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
New Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Bear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
Denny’s Mapputatsu? Parfait is hiding a big secret in plain sight that splits us down the middle
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Here’s why you’ll never want to hit a hole-in-one in Japan
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
Japan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
-
