Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Negoto
Remember Google’s 8-bit Google Maps April Fools’ prank from earlier this year?
Japanese four-piece all-female rock band, Negoto, have taken the idea to the next level by integrating their new music video with an 8-bit map of Tokyo so that it tracks the singer’s location as she goes on a grand adventure across the city.
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Super ramen! What happens when you combine 19 different types of supermarket ramen?【SoraKitchen】
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Giant pipe mysteriously rises up through street in downtown Osaka
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
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)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in TokyoVirtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026Nine 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
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]Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Super ramen! What happens when you combine 19 different types of supermarket ramen?【SoraKitchen】
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Giant pipe mysteriously rises up through street in downtown Osaka
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
An ocean apart, what do Japanese college students think about the US?【Video】
Pokémon Ditto Cup uses Transform to turn into jiggly gelatin, rice, sand, and infinite possibilities
Stunning Japanese restaurant is like eating in a samurai residence
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train otaku say this is the narrowest train station platform in Japan
Cowboy Bebop creator’s Samurai Champloo anime to become live-action series from Hollywood studio