It’s weird being in your thirties (or thereabouts) in 2015. Kids today have no idea what a struggle it was for us growing up in the days before smartphone selfies, dumb internet trends, and myriad modern technological conveniences. Wait, what are we saying, it was absolutely awesome! For ours was a more innocent childhood, full of VHS tapes, talking on phones connected to the wall by a wire, and clunky dial-up internet that still felt like the greatest thing ever invented.
Japan’s 30s club is no different; they too are nostalgic for the relics of a simpler past. And in this article, we round up 22 nostalgic items that Japanese Twitter users say sum up their idyllic childhoods. But how many of them (if any) are the same as those we in the west enjoyed?
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Geezer group JI-POP is here to promote tourism, steal your grandma’s heart【Video】
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
We were blown away by Funabashi Sauce Ramen, just a short ride from central Tokyo【Taste test】
Japan’s top 10 open-air hot spring baths with cherry blossom views【Survey】
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
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
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Geezer group JI-POP is here to promote tourism, steal your grandma’s heart【Video】
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
We were blown away by Funabashi Sauce Ramen, just a short ride from central Tokyo【Taste test】
Japan’s top 10 open-air hot spring baths with cherry blossom views【Survey】
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
Who the heck is this dancing foreigner advertising products in Japan?
We pop into Bear Paw Cafe in Osaka… Actually it popped out to us
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Old postcards reveal famous Japanese tourist spots as they appeared 100 years ago
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]