Anime North cosplayers bring their “A” game proving you don’t have to be in Japan for your favorite characters to come to life!
masquerade
With the Sailor Moon series currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, we’ve heard plenty of news about special events and products commemorating the occasion here in Japan. But what about fans who are outside of Japan? Well, if you’re a fan of the lovely sailor uniform clad ladies and you’re going to be in California during this month, you may want to check out the exhibit Moon Crisis: A Sailor Moon Tribute Art Show now going on at the Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim, California — because what can be more fun than an art show bringing together fans and artwork of your favorite manga/anime, right? And what’s even better, this Saturday on August 9, they’ll even be having a masquerade at the exhibit where participants will be treated to some delicious Pocky chocolate snacks! Dressing up in honor of your favorite warrior princess and getting a taste of some chocolate treats at the same time — now that sounds like our idea of fun!
Last month we reported on the announcement of the 10th Otaku Masquerade Ball: Oka’s Bizarre Marriage Hunt where otaku looking for love don masks in search of a future life partner.
It finally went down on 27 October with a total of 17 participants (9 men and 8 women) all wearing mask that cover at least the top part of the face. According to the sponsor, Washimiya Youth Chamber of Commerce, everything went better than they imagined. In fact it went better than regular marriage hunting parties or gokons!



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
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
Cosplay costume room tour by Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako is an eye-opener【Video】
Japan’s favorite ramen chain is vanishing from Tokyo, but its ramen sauce ice cream is a must-try
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】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
Cosplay costume room tour by Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako is an eye-opener【Video】
Japan’s favorite ramen chain is vanishing from Tokyo, but its ramen sauce ice cream is a must-try
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
Internet survey sheds light on how Japanese women deal with the hair ‘down there’
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
SO…MANY…PIKACHUS!!! 2019’s Pikachu Outbreak takes over Yokohama with cuteness【Photos, video】
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
4 things that surprised us about Japan’s completely unmanned, 24-hour meat shop