local specialties
Osaka might be famous for takoyaki, but Akashi is the place where octopus balls first started.
We discover an unforgettable dish in the city that boasts the highest number of ramen joints per 100,000 people in Japan.
What happens when we put our faith in a cab driver for local restaurant recommendations in Hokkaido?
There’s some things you just don’t do when you visit other places. You wouldn’t go around dissing the champagne in France, the pyramids in Egypt, or the Red Sox in Boston. Disrespecting a town or country’s claim to fame is liable to get you glares and maybe even fists from the locals.
And the same thing goes for Japan. Each region is very protective of its local specialties, so much so that they’ve created a Twitter hashtag to show everyone exactly what they should be wary of disrespecting if they visit.
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McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】- Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
- Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
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
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most perfectly translated Pokémon names【Weird Top Five】
New virgin-killing sweater discovered, modeled in Japan【Photos】
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
Pokémon cosplay for cats: New gacha capsule toy series from Japan
Visit the birthplace of the Japanese daruma in Gunma Prefecture
Häagen-Dazs brings back its popular mochi ice cream line with two classic, luxurious flavors
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