In the mining town of Gällivare, located in the Swedish section of Lapland, the contestants have gathered. These men and women gritted their teeth as they walked through the streets in their heavy boots on the morning of 22 November with the frosty wind biting at their quickly reddening cheeks.
Red cheeks would serve them well, however. As would eyes that twinkle and a round belly that shakes when they laugh like a bowlful of jelly, for these world warriors were here to determine who was the World’s Best Santa.
And so, when the blood was mopped up and visions of sugar plums danced through the heads of little ones, it was Japan’s very own Kohei Yamashita who emerged victorious bringing his nation its first ever World’s Best Santa title.
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
We suspected this Japanese cable car was an overpriced tourist trip, but we underestimated it
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
We slide down Osaka’s most famous tower and get free curry for it
Masterpieces of Japanese art brought to you through cake and cookies
Japan’s Cats and Dominos video warms the heart, makes us want to stay home and watch it all day【Video】
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
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】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
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】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
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
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
We slide down Osaka’s most famous tower and get free curry for it
Masterpieces of Japanese art brought to you through cake and cookies
Japan’s Cats and Dominos video warms the heart, makes us want to stay home and watch it all day【Video】
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Japanese kimono parka combines traditional fashion with modern streetwear
Conveyor belt yakiniku: Our new favourite way to enjoy all-you-can-eat meat in Japan
Store where you pay to shoplift returns to Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan’s National Tourism Organization posts achingly gorgeous promo video: “hope lights the way”
Otaku geek makeovers by Tokyo fashion expert go viral in Japan