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.
















Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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]
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
The Mandalorian and Grogu film inspires a new set of Ginza Cozy Corner mini cakes and more
Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]