interviews
We interview the Star Wars director in Tokyo as he talks about the easiest and most difficult parts of writing an ending to the nine-film series.
Seiji learns that beautiful women can be a lot like centipedes: more scared of him than he is of them.
P.K. Sanjun sits down with two icons of the Terminator series and incessantly calls the former governor “Schwa-chan.”
The wizarding world and real life blurs as we sit down for a magical meal with the actor who plays Jacob Kowalski.
The Hollywood movie stars dish the dirt on their relationship and reveal why Chris has a thing for Japanese TV presenter Koji Kato.
Reynolds surprised us all on his Japanese press tour, inviting us to chat with him as he visited temples, shrines and busy streets in Tokyo.
The former resident of Japan gives us some Jedi life advice and tells us what other Star Wars character we wishes he could have played.
Our Japanese reporter refrained from saying “excellent” when he met the Hollywood star, but what he said instead was equally embarrassing.
Follow-up interviews to the dramatic Marriage Market Takeover documentary shed light on the beliefs of China’s “Leftover Women” and their parents’ eroding difficulties in accepting them.
Full-time butlers are pretty hard to come by these days, so when we had the chance to meet one such professional in Japan, we leapt on the chance to ask him a bunch of questions to ask about his role—like how come they don’t wear coattails anymore?



















Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
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
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]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city