25 years after the Suica Penguin helped revolutionize how Japan buys train ticket and shops, JR’s plans for the future don’t include the character.
mascot characters
Luce is an attempt to form connections via “the pop culture so beloved by our young people.”
Awareness campaign for plan to dump radioactive water into ocean lands creators in hot water.
Video released on same day approval is granted for waste water project at Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Kids in Hikari are raised under Boob Childrearing concepts.
Funasshi has had more than six years of celebrity fame, so maybe it’s time for the pear creature to have a little R&R.


















China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Mister Donut teams up with Sumikko Gurashi for the first time for adorable goods and donuts
Real-world Final Fantasy wedding plan reservations start in Japan, and it looks amazing【Photos】
Who shall I be today? The amazing makeup skills of Zawachin
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japanese makeup artist does classic Hollywood glamour, recreates Audrey Hepburn’s coveted look
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Ariana Grande is learning hiragana and Japan can’t stop talking about it
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japanese makeup artist does classic Hollywood glamour, recreates Audrey Hepburn’s coveted look
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Ariana Grande is learning hiragana and Japan can’t stop talking about it
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
Uniqlo and Tamagotchi team up for Tamagotchi T-shirts and special Uniqlo Tamagotchi【Photos】
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
10 things foreigners in Japan notice about Japanese phone culture
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines
Open wide! It’s time for a showdown between McDonald’s Japan’s and Komeda gratin croquette burgers
Studio Ghibli now sells plush toys seen on Howl’s bed from Howl’s Moving Castle