presidential visit
This Tokyo small business owner is at the centre of attention after his signature burger was selected to be served to the President.
Everyone feared there’d be a gaffe during the presidential visit, but this wasn’t what anyone was expecting.
President Obama made headlines during his visit to Japan, not for his diplomatic mission, but for his first order of business: dining at arguably the best sushi restaurant in the world. Greenpeace was angry about him consuming endangered bluefin tuna, but everyone else seemed to look upon his choice in Japanese dining experience favorably, many extremely jealous of the opportunity to consume expertly crafted sushi.
But aside from raising the hackles of environmental organizations and causing the world to crave raw fish, President Obama also had some other unexpected influences on the country of Japan. From the invention of new hashtags to the accumulation of trash around Tokyo, let’s take a look back at the Obama Effect on Japan.
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More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community- Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
- Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】- Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Japan’s biggest dating app says young people not interested in romance, creates AI girlfriend app
Sengoku samurai warlords transform into easy-to-brew, fruity flavored tea tablets
New 800-yen bill artist concept brings Shiba Inu to canvas of Japanese currency
Cosplay 3D Scanner Studio is a compact way to digitize your cosplay, free cosplayer trial planned
The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is packed with entertainment, food, and drinks–with one caveat
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