Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
New Face Grand Prix
With a new school year comes new students, new possibilities, and a new round of beauty competitions.
“Wait,” you’re asking, “Beauty competitions? Shouldn’t that be ‘roommates’ or ‘textbooks’ or ‘professors?'” And, yes, those are just a few of the new experiences that come with starting college, but thanks to New Face Grand Prix, new Japanese female college students can also “compete” to be the cutest freshman in Japan.
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Extreme Drifting in Modified Kei Car, Even Better English Subtitles 【Video】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Stars of Japan’s longest-running anime get gorgeous modern makeover in new video【Video】
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration eventsWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Stars of Japan’s longest-running anime get gorgeous modern makeover in new video【Video】
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Take it From a Native! Recipe for Delicious Japanese Curry as Found at Coco Ichiban
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mugPolice in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese cosplayers show off amazing accessories made using goods from 100 yen stores
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Can you make butter by running with a pouch filled with cream? Let’s find out[Taste test]