The beloved Japanese player is transitioning from pro to coach before the end of the year.
Ichiro
These short, sweet videos have Japan’s recently retired baseball star play the (board) game of life while musing on his real lived experiences.
Even if you’re not a fan of baseball, you’ve probably heard of Ichiro Suzuki. He was a starter for the Seattle Mariners for a number of years before heading to New York to play for the Yankees and then to the Miami Marlins for the 2015 season. He’s broken a number of records, received dozens of awards and is widely known to be a charismatic and respectful player. Since his debut as a professional baseball player, he’s played almost exclusively in the outfield because of his wicked throwing arm.
As one of Japan’s most prolific baseball stars, the country and the Internet collectively lost its mind when Ichiro pitched one full inning on the last day of the Major League Baseball regular season.
For conspiracy theorists, Area 51 is a location of high intrigue. Often called the most secret place on earth (well…the United States, anyway), this government base in Nevada is thought to be used for weapons testing and experimental aircraft – although very little is known about what really goes on there. Some of the more out-there theories include meetings with aliens, development of weather control, and even time travel.
Our Japanese reporter Go Hatori is a seasoned traveller and, when he’s not trolling would-be scammers online for his own amusement, loves nothing more than to take a solo trip somewhere mysterious. So Go headed into the Nevada desert – with a secret mission of his own!
On August 6 baseball magazine Baseball America chose Ichiro Suzuki as their number one on a list of the ‘Top 10 Most Prodigious Best Tools Winners Of The Millennium’, beating out greats such as Pujols and Verlander.
Of course he’s a legend in his home country of Japan, but during his many years in the major league he’s also gained plenty of American fans. To celebrate his win, we want to share this video of a ‘super happy Ichiro fan’, with ‘super happy’ being somewhat of an understatement.
Like many a baseball player in Japan, Munenori Kawasaki looks up to Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki. But Kawsasaki has been especially well known for his unflinching support of the future Hall of Famer. Even during his younger days of playing the sport in Kagoshima his style was compared to that of Ichiro.
Years later, on 21 August it would seem the stars aligned just right for Kawasaki as he found himself on the field just as Ichiro made his 4,000th professional hit in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. But Kawasaki’s pure enthusiasm that night might have even eclipsed his hero’s milestone.









Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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
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
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
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Japan is in the grip of sticker fever and no one is safe, including us
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Sushi Push Pops aiming to be Japan’s newest sakura season snack sensation
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
We try the new Zero-Second Chicken Ramen: Is it worth the hype?【Taste Test】
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Why don’t busty Fatal Fury ninja girl Mai’s clothes ever tear? We ask the developers
Mr. Sato visited Black Thunder’s new factory, but was mostly captivated by their sukajan jackets