plastic
The minimalist home goods, apparel, and food chain enacts a plan to be more environmentally conscious.
There’s a reason to feel less guilty about eating KitKats, now that they’re saving the wildlife from tonnes of plastic each year.
Increasing numbers of the nationally protected species are being affected by plastic bag consumption.
Possibly the world’s first knife where the soft grip wrapping and slicing edge are made of the same thing.
Most couples would jump at the chance to have a free professional portrait taken, but what if the price for the picture was being put in a vacuum-sealed bag by someone you just met in a bar?
Seems like that would be a hard sell, but apparently Haruhiko Kawaguchi, otherwise known as Photographer Hal, has a way with words, because he’s photographed hundreds of strangers sealed in plastic on his search to capture the greatest theme in human life: love.

















10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Making trains meow-r fun: Japanese station master cats (and bunny!) strut their fluff【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hyper-detailed anime girl masks are here to solve, possibly create your fashion problems【Photos】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
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
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
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Making trains meow-r fun: Japanese station master cats (and bunny!) strut their fluff【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hyper-detailed anime girl masks are here to solve, possibly create your fashion problems【Photos】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Japanese school has ridiculous reason for not letting cold schoolgirl wear tights under her skirt
KitKat Japan’s holiday chocolate is here and we (and everyone else) can’t get enough of it!
Home workout fun: Get in shape with Creamy Mami magical girl anime exercise videos
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations