marine biology
You may be familiar with oysters as the delicious seafood best eaten raw (or as ice cream) and served in months ending in “r,” but did you also know the little guys have impressive filtering skills that can clean even the dirtiest water?
Eating its fill of plankton and other particles floating around, a fully grown oyster can filter more than 50 gallons (189 liters) of seawater in one day. After seeing a few videos demonstrating this cleaning ability, some Japanese netizens started to question just how appetizing this made the once delicious-looking oyster.
Golden Week in Japan is a great excuse to use those consecutive spring days off to relax, see a new part of the country or just enjoy some cheap ice cream. But vacationers wanting something a little different got an extra special Golden Week treat last week when a museum in Shizuoka dissected an incredibly rare megamouth shark in full view of the holiday crowd.
Fewer than 60 megamouth sharks have been caught around the world and this 4.4 meter-long specimen was caught last month at a nearby port. Click below to see photos and videos of the live dissection.
The Maldives has always been a popular honeymoon destination, known for its crystal clear waters, gorgeous beaches and glamorous, resort-style accommodation. As if the area wasn’t romantic enough, at night there’s a breathtaking natural phenomenon that transforms its shores into glimmering waves of iridescent blue. One visitor who stumbled on the unbelievable sight likened it to the starry night skies of the Milky Way and took to the internet to find out the cause of the mysterious occurrence.






We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Miss World Japan: The great-times-20-granddaughter of samurai lord One-Eyed Dragon
Japan’s favorite gyoza restaurant changes its gyoza recipe – Will gyoza life ever be the same?
Japan’s newest vending machine absorbs CO2 from the environment
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
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】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Miss World Japan: The great-times-20-granddaughter of samurai lord One-Eyed Dragon
Japan’s favorite gyoza restaurant changes its gyoza recipe – Will gyoza life ever be the same?
Japan’s newest vending machine absorbs CO2 from the environment
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Secret onsen hot spring is a hidden gem in Tokyo
New hot spring found in Tokyo as 80-year-old bathhouse makes a happy discovery
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Best practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
Drawing a cop flipping over another cop while they fire guns? There’s a reference book for that!
Tokyo trains now have new first-class Green Cars, but are they a sell-out hit?