product reviews
Coca Cola’s newest soda “Hot Ginger Ale” hit Japanese vending machines on October 21 and we have an official RocketNews24 tasting review for anyone not daring enough to take on the hot, fizzy drink. So before you shell out 120 yen (US$1.20), take a look at what our expert vending machine beverage team has to say.
We don’t know about you fine people, but when our old bulletproof riot shields start looking a little worse for wear, we usually turn to good old Amazon for a replacement.
Just last week, in fact, I was buffing a few scratches out of my trusty ArmaLite-R50 model when my boss informed me that he’d stumbled upon a bargain on Amazon JP– a brand new bulletproof shield for just 650,000 yen (US$8,300 )…
Rather than the item itself, however, it’s one particular customer review of the shield that’s making headlines online this week… Read More










Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
A robot joins the team at a fast-food restaurant, but in an unlikely city in northern Japan
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
We visit izakaya in Thailand billed as “Middle Aged Man’s Paradise”, try food that’s illegal in Japan
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Massive Godzilla figure stands more than six feet tall, costs more than $40,000
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
We visit izakaya in Thailand billed as “Middle Aged Man’s Paradise”, try food that’s illegal in Japan
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Massive Godzilla figure stands more than six feet tall, costs more than $40,000
Studio Ghibli produces commercial for Japanese convenience store chain Lawson 【Video】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Sushi cars are the newest crazy cool dream from Japan’s Tomica line
Five different ways to say “children” in Japanese
Anime isn’t like reality: Japanese police arrest man holding three knives, one in his mouth
Hotties from history: the geisha of Japan’s first beauty pageant【Photos】
Starbucks Japan joins Been There drinkware line with 20 cool designs for all over Japan【Pics】