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.









Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
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New zombie ship sets sail in Japan, includes Shinkansen tickets and all-you-can-eat sushi
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
After pleasing your ears, Hatsune Miku is ready to ease your pain as a PC cushion plushie
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
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
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
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 unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
After pleasing your ears, Hatsune Miku is ready to ease your pain as a PC cushion plushie
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Udon Doughnuts boom in popularity, get a whole new look at Japanese restaurant chain
Home workout fun: Get in shape with Creamy Mami magical girl anime exercise videos
Here comes Japan’s newest fruit dessert sandwich: 7-Eleven’s purple Blueberry Sandwich!
We fry up a feast at Kushiya Monogatari and learn the joy of Japanese skewer restaurants
Gorgeous Kingdom Hearts stained glass clock installed in Tokyo for game series’ 15th anniversary
Beyond katsu curry: Tare katsu curry now being served at Coco Ichibanya