While some anime attempt to realistically show the passage of in-show years, this isn’t always the case. Much like with their western counterparts, the events of many of Japan’s biggest mainstream animated hits seem to take place in a world where time stands still. So just like Bart and Lisa Simpson have been in elementary school for decades, so too have Nobita, Shizuka, and the rest of the core cast of Doraemon.
But while the anime’s characters never age, the voice talent playing them does, and the franchise’s generations of fans recently received the sad news that voice actress Nobuyo Oyama, the voice of Doraemon himself, is suffering from dementia.
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
AKB48 fan shows his love the only way he knows how: By buying $300,000 worth of CDs
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Super-cheap yakiniku restaurant sells meat by the mouthful to give you exactly what you want
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
AKB48 fan shows his love the only way he knows how: By buying $300,000 worth of CDs
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Super-cheap yakiniku restaurant sells meat by the mouthful to give you exactly what you want
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 5 million yen【Vid】
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
What’s the best spoon for Japanese curry?【Photos】
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Douhua, a delicious tofu pudding, is Mr. Sato’s new favourite food
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】