In many cases, the Japanese language uses the word umi, literally “sea,” to mean “beach.” For example, if your friends extend the invitation, “Hey, let’s go to the umi next Saturday!” they’re expecting you to show up with a towel and sunscreen, not a compass and cutlass for fending off pirates as you sail your ship full of cargo to the Bahamas to exchange for molasses.
So when we first heard about a restaurant in Kyushu right in the middle of the umi, we thought it was built on the sand. And while we like an eatery with an ocean view as much as anyone, the reality is even cooler, as the restaurant is actually built off-shore, with half of its seating area below the surface of the water.
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo
Orange Juice Crisis ’24 – Japan’s OJ supplies drying up
Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Starbucks at Shibuya Scramble Crossing reopens, but is it really bigger and better than before?
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
One of Japan’s oldest castles now lets travelers spend night on the grounds, drink in its keep
Icon’s Mac & Cheese Burger contender for best burger in Tokyo【Taste test】
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
Spring Mos Burger x SpongeBob lucky bags bring us fun under the sun【Photos】
Two things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese inn
McDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation
Red light district sushi restaurant in Tokyo shows us just how wrong we were about it
Japanese city loses residents’ personal data, which was on paper being transported on a windy day
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
Ghibli Park now selling “Grilled Frogs” from food cart in Valley of Witches
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
One of Japan’s oldest castles now lets travelers spend night on the grounds, drink in its keep
Icon’s Mac & Cheese Burger contender for best burger in Tokyo【Taste test】
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
Spring Mos Burger x SpongeBob lucky bags bring us fun under the sun【Photos】
Two things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese inn
Remember: Japanese kombucha is nothing like American kombucha
These Pakistani students in Tokyo had never been to the beach, and that’s something we had to fix
My Neighbour Totoro kimono coat sells out as soon as it’s released by Studio Ghibli in Japan
All you can eat ice cream and frozen food restaurant becomes a hit in Akihabara
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils massive T-shirt collection featuring top anime movie characters
Just how clean are Japan’s high-tech public restroom bidet-equipped toilets?
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Hotel guest who boiled crabs in room’s kettle angry to have to pay for damages