We talk the future of Pokémon GO–including everything from opportunities for making friends to the GO Battle League.
Niantic
For a special accessory that is supposed to complement the game, people sure are negative about it.
He’s caught ’em all in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong and Australia, and now we get to find out what the gamer’s been up to in Japan, the birthplace of Pokémon.
From parks to university campuses and even a Sega building, here are some of the new Pokémon Go gym locations players have been finding around the country.
Pokémon Go has officially launched in Japan along with the announcement that “poke-stops” and “gyms” are now located in the nearly 3,000 McDonald’s stores around Japan.
Because if there’s one place you’d expect to find a rare Pokémon, it would have to be at their home in Tokyo.
Ingress, the original augmented reality app from Niantic, the creators of Pokémon Go, is taking over Tokyo with a holographic portal that lets you see the state of the game in real-time.
















Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Nearly half of Pokémon hot spring’s statues have been damaged less than two months after opening
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Japanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a “bomb collar” you have to wear
Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over to Baskin-Robbins Japan with special ice cream and merch
Totoro Soot Sprites are here to help keep your organized as adorable paper clips[Photos]
Japan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains