Meiji
Meiji unveils its newest crowdsourced flavor inspired by a delicacy of northeastern Japan.
Ice cream in fried tofu? Taste-testing ice cream inari, a substitute for ice cream cones【Taste test】
Many believe these films are the best live-action adaptations of a beloved manga/anime series to exist.
Slip-on designs make it easy to swish around the house like a traditional schoolgirl or a cool, modern-day samurai.
There was a time when sumo wrestlers and kimono-clad ladies made shipping companies look beautiful.
A cautionary tale as old as time unfolded into an epic saga of crime and redemption in the Japanese Twitterverse recently, when a young boy’s inability to control himself around his sister’s chocolate stash ended in the kid embarking on a heist-like caper to replace the chocolate bar he couldn’t help but munch on before his sister noticed.
When the boy’s less-than-masterful plan failed, though, he resorted to writing this adorable apology letter.
In the 22nd year of the Meiji era (aka 1889), the very first Japanese kyūshoku (school lunch) was served up at an elementary school in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. Although the first menu was very simply prepared, it provided the growing children with an important source of nourishment that not all of them could receive at home.
Fast-forward to 2015–Japanese schoolchildren (and their teachers!) continue to eat school lunches every day, as opposed to children in many other countries who bring their lunches from home. If you’re working in a Japanese school, you should already be familiar with the daily feeling of either excitement or disappointment when you see the lunch menu for the day. But just consider this–would you rather eat the types of lunches served today, or those that were served 100 years ago? Read on to learn about the evolution of Japanese school lunches and decide for yourself!
If you’re anything like us, you love old stuff from Japan. The temples, shrines, centuries-old festivals, and museums are some of our favorite things to check out when we have free time. There’s just something absolutely captivating about all the relics of the past that live on in Japan–but they’re just not quite as good as time travel! Come on, scientists, we want to hang out with Nobunaga! Well, while we’re waiting for Doc Brown to get back with the DeLorean, we can still at least look at old photos of Japan.
Though you might think there aren’t many–after all, it wasn’t like the samurai were running around with smartphones, snapping selfies–it turns out that there may be quite a few more than we realized! After a few hours clicking around the Internet, we’ve come up with our six favorite sites for finding old photos of Japan. Be sure to check them out and see what life was like over a hundred years ago!
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Today
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Weekly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Monthly
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
- Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Yearly
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Pachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Starbucks Japan releases new “torori” drinks exclusive to 7-Eleven convenience stores
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