You can’t celebrate 30 years of Pokémon without 30 years of starters, plus a few more Pocket Monster all-stars.
McDonald’s
Turn a Samurai Mac into an expensive Omotesando gourmet burger by taking one thing out – and no, it’s not the pickles.
![Sanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/cr-1.jpg?w=640 "Sanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]")
![McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/mc-1-1.jpg?w=640 "McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]")
Hopefully new policies will keep Chiikawa figures out of scalpers’ hands so they can find their ways to fans instead.
Now you can get a taste of a famous limited-edition exclusive burger without travelling to Japan.
We find out if the limited-edition Sanrio frappe and smoothie taste as sweet as they look.
![McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/gm-1.jpg?w=640 "McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]")
Sanrio characters add sweetness to first-ever McDonald’s smoothie and frappe collaboration, complete with a Japanese idol commercial.
![Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/1_93a2c5.jpg?w=640 "Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]")
We head half-way across Japan and try what foodies say is the most delicious McDonald’s branch in the whole county.
Limited-edition pink dessert seems unseasonal at this time of year, but all will be forgiven if it meets our high standards.
![We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/bc-0.jpg?w=640 "We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]")
In a rare twist, we headed to McDonald’s Japan, Mos Burger, and more without buying a single sandwich, because today we’re all about the beans.
![McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/me-0.jpg?w=640 "McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]")
Ellen-sensei is the latest otaku spokesperson for McDonald’s, but there’s one organization she’d never endorse.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport airlines announce stricter luggage check-in deadline for domestic flights
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
Weekly
- Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]- Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo- Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction- Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
Sanrio characters join forces with your favorite Japanese snack mascots as prizes at Family Mart
Japan’s favorite popsicles add multilingual packaging to better connect with foreign tourists
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
Japan’s Super Volunteer, 86-year-old Haruo Obata, heads to the Kumamoto earthquake site
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Daiso now sells stress-relief punching bags, but are they worth beating on?
We tried Starbucks Japan’s new coffee for people who don’t drink coffee
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
-
