It really is the year of the hamster in Japan, as pet owners vie for top spot in a Hamster Championship Series on Twitter.
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How well do you know Japanese travel destinations? Test your knowledge and see how many of these locations around Japan you can identify from photos alone!
We sent our reporter to a shop in Nara where you can dress as a noble from the Nara period (AD 710-794) and even stroll around town in your costume!
We take a look back at some of the cute hamsters who stole our hearts this year in this adorable photo collection.
Under the South Pacific sun on December 7, 1941, troops serving the US fleet at Pearl Harbor began a calm Sunday morning unaware that Japanese bombers were headed toward America’s most important Pacific base.
Split-second timing leads to amazing results when photographing the alley cats of Japan.
Or should that be awesomely eerie?
In Tokyo, there’s a very special type of Starbucks that forgoes the usual green-and-white mermaid logo for more subdued, warm-brown hues. They also serve a variety of beers and wine sets paired with cheese or cake.
When Japanese Twitter user @nasuiro posted this picture of a blob of hand cream last week, he probably had no idea that it would end up being retweeted over 41,000 times…
While the French still produce and consume the most wine per capita, Japan is continuing to grow as one of the biggest wine markets in the world — and they’re not afraid to show their passion for the beverage.
With all the pretty lights, there are a ton of photo opportunities during the holidays. Give your pictures a unique look with this simple technique!
Remember the awesome, super-expensive R2-D2™ Moving Refrigerator we reported on last month? Well, we recently went to see an actual model on display!
Earlier this month, we looked at a collection of photos taken by the late Kusakabe Kimbei that showed the cityscapes of Japan as they looked in the late 1800s, right before the country’s rapid modernization. But Kimbei didn’t just photograph Japan, he also photographed the Japanese, so today we’re taking another trip back in time, but with a more personal touch, with dozens of photographs that show what daily life was like for the people of Japan generations ago.
Korean barbecue, or yakiniku as it’s known here is Japan, is a popular among all diners, but particularly men seem drawn to the primal enjoyment of roasting gobs of raw meat over flames. Or maybe they just like meat. Either way, the customer base skews male.
However, this month a pop-up yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo’s Ebisu neighborhood seemed to be taking particular aim at the ladies. Let’s see if you can spot their unique approach.
Hello Kitty may be the most popular Sanrio character, but My Melody has quite a few fans as well. And it seems she has a doppelgänger hanging out on Twitter too!
Japanese airlines All Nippon Airways (ANA) has teamed up with Disney to create an in-air experience that’s perfect for the ultimate “Star Wars” fan.
Covered in an R2-D2-like designs and a “Star Wars” logo on the outside, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft also has some fun galactic details inside, such as customized headrests, cups, and lighting. While in the air, passengers can even stream all six of the currently released “Star Wars” films.

















Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Paying for prostitution isn’t illegal in Japan, but it could be soon
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Man in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
7-Eleven now has make-it-yourself smoothies in Japan, and they’re amazing
New Laputa amulet actually responds when you incant the anime’s magic spells
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
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
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
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Man in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
7-Eleven now has make-it-yourself smoothies in Japan, and they’re amazing
New Laputa amulet actually responds when you incant the anime’s magic spells
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Tokyo train stations get new Olympic melodies and signage for the Games
Toilet rubber theft baffles, grosses out Japan
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times