monster
The concept restaurant brings us juicy bursts of color and flavor for their monstrous summer menu.
Itazura Banks are a series of cute little Japanese coin banks that look like cardboard boxes, each with an adorable animal hiding inside. You place a coin on the edge of the box and a sweet little kitty’s paw pops out to grab your money and keep it safe in the bank for you.
But if that all sounds a bit too cutesy for your liking, never fear—the newest Itazura Bank doesn’t contain a kitten or a panda, but Godzilla himself!
In the mid-nineteenth century, a showman named P. T. Barnum exhibited an oddity named the Fiji mermaid. Barnum’s mummified mermaid, one of the most famous hoaxes of all time, is widely believed to have been the body of a young monkey sewn onto a fish tail, and had been bought from Japanese sailors for $6,000.
Ningyo (Japanese mermaids – the word literally means “person-fish”) have a long and interesting history, but they aren’t the only ancient fake taxidermy on show in Japan. Across the country are all kinds of other fascinating specimens: “mummies” of tengu, kappa and even dragons.
As you probably know, Tokyo had some of its heaviest snow in decades this past weekend, with an estimated 24 cm (9.4 inches) of powder on the ground by Saturday afternoon. While for some this spelled disaster, others were happy to get creative and build some epic snowmen, snow mannequins, and even puyo-puyo in the fluffy white stuff.
For one creative Twitter user, however, that same sculpting clay from the sky allowed him to recreate his nightmares in physical form. And it’s not pretty.






What would convince Japanese people to live in a home where there’d been a death or “accident?”
7-Eleven Japan offering sakura extract lipstick blessed by 300-year-old Kyoto temple
We suspected this Japanese cable car was an overpriced tourist trip, but we underestimated it
Burger King Japan to be bought by America’s Goldman-Sachs
Snuggle up to a fried oyster with ingenious cushion and cover set from Japan
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie releases first on-set, in-costume images【Photos】
Tokyo day-trip hot springs: Beautiful Mt. Fuji-view bath is just one highway bus stop from Shibuya
New Japanese-made Godzilla movie announced, looks to be first direct sequel since 1999
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Tokyo Station’s ultra-rare cakes look, and taste, like a cup of coffee
Bear attack shelters going on sale in Japan as country experiences record-high number of incidents
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Why is Starbucks Japan’s Christmas stollen so good?
We zapped up some tasty hot sandwiches in the microwave with 3COINS’ new gadget from Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Totoro, Catbus sleeping bags are perfect place to stay cozy all winter…if you fit inside【Pics】
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Ghibli Museum clock is now yours to take home with you
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie releases first on-set, in-costume images【Photos】
Tokyo day-trip hot springs: Beautiful Mt. Fuji-view bath is just one highway bus stop from Shibuya
New Japanese-made Godzilla movie announced, looks to be first direct sequel since 1999
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Japan’s Super Colossal Mega Parfait is so freakishly huge it comes in a beer pitcher【Taste test】
Why is Starbucks Japan’s Christmas stollen so good?
Many foreign tourists not picking up, paying for their orders at 100-year-old Tokyo sweets shop
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Busting one of the biggest myths about the five-yen coin and shrine offerings in Japan