pop culture
Two powerhouses of Japanese pop culture team up to fill Koda Kumi’s latest video with intergalactic 80s romance vibes!
In late November a four-day festival of music, food, fashion, and culture will be held, and anyone with a foreign passport will get some VIP treatment.
Move over water bottle panties, it’s time to dress up your drinks with a fashionable over-the-shoulder sweater that takes its styling cues from Beat Takeshi.
Comic Con, a festival of pop culture and entertainment, will be coming to Tokyo next year, and they’ve already put on a huge announcement bash!
Long before Gwen Stefani was inspired by the Tokyo neighborhood, Harajuku’s status as the center of Japanese fashion and pop culture had been well solidified. From strange footwear to unbearably cute cuisine, a visit to Harajuku is never dull and is a must-see for any tourist coming to Tokyo.
But the crowded streets, small shops and the language barrier might be a bit daunting for a first-time visitor. So to make that trip more worthwhile, a tourist organization is opening up a bilingual information booth in the heart of Harajuku to make sure visitors get the most out of their time in the exciting neighborhood.
Tony Stark is a character whose power comes from his ingenuity in designing and building his Iron Man suits and weapons. And of course having millions of dollars at his disposal helped.
Meet Kai-xiang Xhong, the Tony Stark (sans riches) of cardboard art. Some people might laugh at the phrase “cardboard art,” but this man’s sculptures are so stunning that it’s hard to believe they are made of the same stuff your Amazon purchases arrive in. Take, for instance, the life-size Iron Man suit shown above. (Did we mention it’s wearable? There is a person in that suit, walking around and bending parts without it falling to pieces!)
On 9 April the Cool Japan Promotion Conference and Pop Culture Subcommittee was assembled to discuss and strategize ways to encourage growth in Japan’s popular culture sector. The session dealt with all of Japan’s notable influences around the world from Gundams to soccer.









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Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
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Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
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Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
Who is this mysterious large man who’s suddenly showing up on giant signs in Japan?
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
We visit Tokyo’s Reversible Destiny Lofts, the apartments designed to make you live forever【Pics】
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
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The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Updated cherry blossom forecast moves up blooming date, predicts sakura season start for Ueno Park