Iwate
Sure, Tokyo and Kyoto are nice, but this northeastern town is their top Japan travel pick.
The winning spot grabs the people’s vote for all of northern Japan for the fourth year in a row.
This preserved Tohoku building goes from completely devastated to practically unharmed in just a few floors.
Pikachu and Ash also watch over the crops, which were once destroyed by the tsunami in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
After this taste test, you’ll never want to go back to using regular drinking vessels again.
This “Festival of Tohoku Bonds” continues to pay homage to six of northern Japan’s most important annual festivals all at one time and one place.
The new release is a great example of how big companies can support local businesses in the wake of a disaster.
Morioka Zoo in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture has a host of both fierce and cuddly animals on its premises. Among the zoo’s current highlights are opportunities to see a baby giraffe, make dinner for the elephants, and feed raw meat to a lion. Oh, and did we mention that the animals there seem to have a penchant for looking dead while simply taking a snooze?
Tired of being called “uncultured” by those around them, our reporters Mr. Sato and Yoshio made a road trip to Iwate Prefecture and all of its historical sites such as the Chusonji Golden Hall and Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tale Village. It was the perfect place to learn more about Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
However, as they drove along Route 4 heading for the over-900-year-old Morioka Hachiman Shrine, something unusual caught Mr. Sato’s eye. “It’s a big red Ferris wheel!” he shouted, immediately forgetting about the site where Emperor Ojin’s spirit is enshrined.
Grabbing Yoshio’s arm, he forced the car to an off ramp and closer to the Ferris wheel, which they would soon learn was not just any old wheel, it was the American World Ferris wheel!




















Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac