John Oliver
Two otters travel across the ocean to search for “He-John” in this funny and heartwarming video.
Emerging from the cocoon that was The Daily Show, John Oliver has carved out a brilliant spot for himself with his own talk show Last Week Tonight. He has produced some amazing pieces on net neutrality, Edward Snowden, the Miss America Pageant and the NCAA. Viewers tune in each week to find out what subject close to their hearts is being roasted or promoted on HBO. Japan has gotten a couple of mentions on the show before, but this past week brought the insanity that is Japanese mascots to the attention of his viewers. Surely Japan’s mastery of the subject can teach the rest of the world something.






Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Japan’s Hiepita forehead cooling strips, so popular they changed the language, are disappearing
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
National Geographic names Yamagata Prefecture on its “Best of the World 2026” travel destinations
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
Members of pop group Snow Man embarrassed for misinterpreting the word “snowman”
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Giant new nine-floor arcade opens in Tokyo, wants to welcome new and old games fans alike
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
Members of pop group Snow Man embarrassed for misinterpreting the word “snowman”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
New Pokémon Seiko watch collection stars Pikachu, Eevee and Mewtwo
Kansai man arrested for defrauding his 35 girlfriends
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Finally, a tool to save us from the pain of sitting Japanese-style【Photos】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Has China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning shortened queues at this Ichiran ramen restaurant in Tokyo?
Scarier than a haunted house? Kyoto hidden-meaning “mean” manners escape house on the way