Well, it looks like train fans in Japan have something to be excited about — the real-life Thomas the Tank Engine, which has already attracted considerable attention on the Internet and media, is now in service! The Thomas steam locomotive, designed with a large face in the front to quite accurately recreate the well-known children’s character, started on its very first journey on July 12 with about 560 passengers on board. And since we knew this was a ride that would be sure to delight kids as well as adult train fans, one of the reporters from our Japanese site traveled to Shizuoka Prefecture in the center of Honshu, the main island, to see the “real Thomas” on his very first day in operation!
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese ramen restaurant serves noodles with a heartwarming side of history
Japan’s easy foreign tourist tax exemptions may be getting harder in order to stop fraud, resales
Kyoto may be getting more modern, tall buildings as city relaxes development limits
5 Japanese women who can kick your ass (in martial arts)【Women in Japan Series】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese ramen restaurant serves noodles with a heartwarming side of history
Japan’s easy foreign tourist tax exemptions may be getting harder in order to stop fraud, resales
Kyoto may be getting more modern, tall buildings as city relaxes development limits
5 Japanese women who can kick your ass (in martial arts)【Women in Japan Series】
Japan’s elementary school backpacks grow up with new high-class randoseru for adults
Man brandishes samurai sword in New York Apple store, allegedly attempts to commit seppuku
Japan’s adorable new Nikukyu notebooks have the squeezable feel of cat and dog paw pads【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
In search of Japan’s hidden double pay phones
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?