nature
The Nakano family opens a second rice paddy art site this year and shares more about the process that goes into their annual labor of love.
New reinforced shelters are designed to protect climbers from volcanic eruptions, falling rocks and lightning.
![Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/mt-0.jpg?w=640 "Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]")
Fujinomiya mayor wants people hiking unopened trails to think about someone other than just themselves.
Even when Mt. Fuji is hidden in shadows, there’s still something breathtaking to see here.
![Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/hn-2.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]")
TeamLab’s newest artistic “digitized nature” vision features interactive light and sound elements as you traverse an ancient forest.
Early blossoming likely means early full bloom at this breathtaking park within day-trip distance of Tokyo.
With mirrors, art installations, and a Peter Rabbit garden, this festival is the perfect day trip from Tokyo.
![Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sy-1.jpg?w=640 "Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]")
Likely wanderer from Nara Park won’t be going back, but has a new place to live in a hot spring town.
Escape the urban sprawl by taking a tour on “Japan’s last clear stream” that will leave you clearly in tune with nature.
Woodlands that inspired the creation of My Neighbor Totoro sit at the edge of the biggest city in Japan, but this fund helps keep them green.
![Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/od-1.jpg?w=640 "Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]")
No one’s sure what to do with them, since Nara’s deer lose their protected status when they leave the park.
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Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport airlines announce stricter luggage check-in deadline for domestic flights
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
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】
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Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
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
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
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
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
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