mayor
This new Working Cats x Shinjuku Ward campaign clip draws from cuteness for coronavirus preventive measures.
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Mayor baffled by sudden surge of foreigners calling in and wanting to become the next Naruto.
Starting this year, the town of Mamurogawa in Yamagata Prefecture is offering up their mayor’s office for those generous enough to hand over one million yen (US$9,600) in furusato tax (hometown tax). It’s the latest move in an increasing trend of offering premiums for tax revenue in rural areas struggling with decreasing populations.
Offering something in exchange for taxes seems like an odd concept without knowing what furusato tax is, so let start with that. Don’t worry it’s simple.







Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Kyoto raises hotel accommodation tax to fight overtourism, travelers could pay up to 10 times more
McDonald’s ad in Japan causes controversy overseas
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Starbucks releases final sakura Frappuccino in Japan for 2024 hanami season
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Female high school students continue to be banned on baseball field at Koshien Stadium in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Female high school students continue to be banned on baseball field at Koshien Stadium in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Chance to play Teris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025
Ruru Cafe Shibuya wows customers by serving coffee and sweets on unique water tables
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese carpenters demonstrate traditional wooden joints and it’s oddly satisfying 【Video】
Survey reveals that more than 70 percent of otaku would choose their hobby over love
Kyoto Station’s hidden-in-plain-sight curry should be the last thing you eat before leaving town
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag