Our reporter Seiji ventures back to Ueno’s bug vending machine to learn if crickets and grasshoppers taste the same.
insects (Page 2)
Municipalities and prefectures are hoping they can stop the dreaded red-necked longhorn beetle before they get out of hand.
When you stop and think about it, putting pictures of cockroaches on a product for people who hate them is kind of a weird strategy.
Incredible photos show an extraordinary number of insects wreaked havoc on drivers, closing a bridge and causing accidents on the weekend.
Ever wonder why cockroaches are so shiny? Well, let’s put our fears aside and learn a little more about one of the urban human’s greatest foes.
Unless they’re dedicated entomologists, this could be the perfect place to freak out your unsuspecting friends.
There’s no need to use toxic substances to kill off unwanted insects in Japan, because there’s a much more eco-friendly method they’ve been using for hundreds of years. Although it may not be scientifically proven, many people feel this is still the best way to get rid of everything from garden aphids to mosquitoes. And if the method has endured for centuries, it must be at least somewhat effective right?
This uniquely Japanese insect repellent is far cheaper than commercial insecticides, easier to implement, and you only have to use it once a year in spring or early summer. And the best part? It involves Japanese sake!
What’s the secret? We’ll let you know after the jump.
You’ve probably heard of Battleship Island before, the small abandoned island off of Nagasaki that looks like a battleship from afar and a zombie wasteland up close. It’s on its way to becoming a UNESCO world heritage site, which will bring in more tourists and help with its preservation.
But while Battleship Island gets its moment in the limelight, other abandoned islands around Japan are having a pretty tough time. Take Hoboro Island off the coast of Hiroshima for instance. It was once a decent-sized island known for pearls and oysters, but now it spends its days mainly being eaten away by millions of bugs and slowly sinking into the sea.
Yes, you read that right: A cute bug! Well, that is up to debate, but it is definitely not as a gross as other bugs, like that hand-sized spider I had in my house that one time…
Because of the way they hover and their fuzzy bodies, these cute little fellas kind of look like a cross between a hummingbird and a bee. Their long mouth/noses resemble those of a nasty mosquito, but the fact that they are barely 10mm long (approximately the length of the first part of your pinkie finger) and harmless pollinators make them really people-friendly. Join us after the jump as we meet arguably the world’s most affable insect: the Tiger Bee Fly.




















What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Why Japanese doesn’t need swear words
Pokémon fan chef’s Psyduck sweets are so cute they’re making our head hurt【Photos/Video】
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 2【Photos】
Totoro sequel anime short inspires cuddly T-shirt, adorable plushies at Ghibli Museum shop【Pics】
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 2【Photos】
Totoro sequel anime short inspires cuddly T-shirt, adorable plushies at Ghibli Museum shop【Pics】
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese burger chain releases epic tofu burgers, designed by customers
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno opens up about his latest bout with depression, movie delays
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
We test out a product that promises it will make cars obsolete: these goofy looking boots
Oshi kamidana – Literal altars you can build to enshrine your favorite anime character or idol
The times they are a-changin’: Snapshots of Tokyo 50 years ago vs. today【Photos】
Is the Shinkansen bullet train Green Car upgrade worth it when traveling in Japan?【Photos】