Say what you will about ‘yuru-kyara‘ – the marketing idea that can be basically summed up as Japan’s “let’s have a cartoon mascot for EVERYTHING!” philosophy – but the vast majority of those funny characters adopted by prefecture and town tourism boards across the nation are nothing if not cute!
Take Princess Miyako, character mascot of Miyako-machi in Fukuoka Prefecture. Designed by illustrator Shiitake, Princess Miyako is the picture of youthful elegance: her fresh purple and green tones are even modelled after the town’s iris flowers.
It’s one thing to design a beautiful anime character in two dimensions. But when that mascot gets transformed into a three-dimensional character costume, bad things can happen. Bad, bad things…
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
McDonald’s adds a Japanese daifuku pie to its menu for a limited time
Full-color anime art wall appears in Tokyo station as Jujutsu Kaisen returns to Shibuya【Photos】
We fall in love with a bucket of Japanese custard pudding【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
With entrance exams looming, “ads that only students can see” appear in Tokyo train stations
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
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
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Full-color anime art wall appears in Tokyo station as Jujutsu Kaisen returns to Shibuya【Photos】
We fall in love with a bucket of Japanese custard pudding【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
With entrance exams looming, “ads that only students can see” appear in Tokyo train stations
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Japan’s chubby musical cat toys are a ridiculously cute piano substitute 【Video】
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno opens up about his latest bout with depression, movie delays
We take a ride on Seibu Railway’s futuristic luxury liner: the Limited Express Laview
Massive manga mural takes over Tokyo station to celebrate Jujutsu Kaisen【Photos】
Four of the best Tokyo budget hotels we stayed in this year
Ultra-premium matcha, koji rice mold star in Starbucks Japanese New Year’s Frappuccino and drinks
Tokyo’s new giant Gundam anime robot statue is complete, and it’s awesome【Photos】