Mountain Dew
Welcome to the weekend, boys and girls! Feels good to be here, doesn’t it? But before you run off startling donkeys and eating moon pies, we have to check that you’ve been paying attention and swatting up on our weird and wonderful news from Japan and Asia.
Suspicious dogs, kindly couples, adultery and the afterlife all feature in this week’s multiple choice quiz based on our favourite bits from the last seven days’ stories. So click the link and let’s find out just how much you went outside this week.
We see a lot of weird stuff on the internet, but corn snacks made to taste – and fizz, no less – like the carbonated soft drink Mountain Dew are undoubtedly the oddest thing to happen since millions of adults across the globe simultaneously lied to their children about a bearded man sneaking into their home and leaving gifts for having refrained from murdering anyone or punching an otter since the previous December.
Nevertheless, as the internet chatter suggests, Mountain Dew corn snacks really do exist here in Japan, and so despite imagining that they’d taste about as good as minty orange juice, we tracked some down and, along with a can of actual Mountain Dew (or “Mtn Dew” as it’s now being branded in the US, because who has time fr vwls?) for comparison, conducted a little taste test of our own.
Full impressions after the jump.



Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Puppet Sunsun taking over Lawson convenience stores all over Japan
Real-life Professor Oak? Pokémon Company recruiting PhD holders in science and agriculture
15 years after Tohoku tsunami, Japan’s free disaster phone message number is important to remember
Fives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
This compilation of Japan’s best 2015 commercials is most insanity per second we’ve seen 【Video】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
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
Real-life Professor Oak? Pokémon Company recruiting PhD holders in science and agriculture
15 years after Tohoku tsunami, Japan’s free disaster phone message number is important to remember
Fives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
This compilation of Japan’s best 2015 commercials is most insanity per second we’ve seen 【Video】
Cowboy Bebop creator’s Samurai Champloo anime to become live-action series from Hollywood studio
Burger King’s new sumo burger thuds into Japan…but is it worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
How to try the viral 7-Eleven smoothie hack in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill