Our visiting Japanese reporter shares her thoughts on the Spanish capital’s tribute to Japanese culture in its various forms.
Madrid
Our reporter travels all the way to Spain to meet an artistic hair stylist whose technique is a little sharper than usual.
The Japan Chibi Weekend, held in February in Madrid, is a relatively small player in the anime convention world. Entry costs just 7 euros (US$10), and its name even means “mini” in Japanese. That doesn’t stop anime and manga fans having a blast though, with a great mix of Japanese and western characters on show in the cosplay competition and around the convention.
Although the two-day event focuses on manga, anime and Japanese culture, the competitors’ handmade costumes included an impressive line-up of Disney and Dreamworks characters, too! Let’s take a look at what was on offer in the Spanish capital at this year’s event.



Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
How to make your own hoshi-imo Japanese dried sweet potato snacks【SoraKitchen】
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
How to make your own hoshi-imo Japanese dried sweet potato snacks【SoraKitchen】
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Sega’s Like a Dragon yakuza teaches “useless” English, let’s use it to learn some useful Japanese
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese business established to rent out ad space on lazy comedian’s backpack
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?