10,000 characters, written by hand, is a few thousand too many, talent agency says.
letter
Young people well up with hometown pride and tears as mayor thanks them for staying away to protect their families.
Netizens are impressed with how manufacturer admits fault and tackles the problem scientifically.
What’s better than friends wishing you a happy birthday? Having One Piece’s Luffy or Ash from Pokémon personally doing it instead!
Smells do funny things to our brains. They connect us to memories and moments in a way that something visual never could. Just as interestingly is the effect smells have on our moods. Have you noticed that smells like lavender and vanilla give you a calming effect while a smell like coffee or citrus will perk you right up?
Now, Japan has combined the excitement of receiving a letter with the power of different scents to create a world first in letter sending. This service is available for only a limited-time, so try it before the letters (and smells!) are gone with the wind.
While Tokyo’s recent blizzard showed us the lighter side of natural disasters with amusing snow sculptures and insane images of overly panicked urbanites, these kind of storms have the potential to be very deadly and serious if you are caught outside. Last March, a violent storm hit the northeast part of Hokkaido and took the lives of nine people.
One of the most tragic stories to come out of this storm was a young girl who lost her father after he used his own body to protect her from the freezing temperatures and strong winds. On the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, the girl asked one of Japan’s biggest newspapers, the Yomiuri Shimbun, to publish a heart-breaking letter thanking the country for the huge outpouring of support over the past year.










10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
This balding middle-aged fairy is one of Japan’s most unique mascot characters
Bandai to release super-mega-retro-robot made up of Doraemon and friends
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
This balding middle-aged fairy is one of Japan’s most unique mascot characters
Bandai to release super-mega-retro-robot made up of Doraemon and friends
Naked Run takes a confused grasp of streaking, puts it in a video game【Review】
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Japan’s premier love doll maker is closing, says goodbye to fans with heartfelt message
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
We play out a real-life scene from Your Name in the historic city of Ashikaga【Kita Kanto Brothers】
Decorative animal toys with massive chins now a thing in Japan for some reason