pufferfish
![Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/fb-4.jpg?w=640 "Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]")
UFO catchers occupy a major portion of Japanese arcades nowadays. If you happen to walk by an arcade, the flashing lights and fun prizes all beckon customers to try their luck at these “skill” testing games. Normally, the prizes are figures and stuffed animals from popular TV shows and manga, but you will often see snacks and food. Most recently, a UFO catcher at the Amuseum Oizumi caught our eye because of its prize, a real live pufferfish!
You may think it’s crazy to voluntarily eat poisonous fish, but in the case of pufferfish, or “fugu” in Japanese, it’s something the Japanese have been doing for a long time. We understand how the idea of eating a potentially deadly poisonous fish could be off-putting to some, but most Japanese people wouldn’t think twice about going to a restaurant and having pufferfish; in fact most of us would welcome it as a treat, as a full-course fugu meal usually doesn’t come cheap. Well, this time, we have a story from one of the reporters at the Pouch website about an unusual way to have pufferfish, and this is definitely a recipe you won’t be able to recreate at home! Read More
MOST POPULAR
Now
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Japan has a cute Pokémon menu you probably don’t know about yet
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Small Hokkaido bookshop’s unique service is getting business from all over Japan
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Japan’s most mysterious vending machine sells fukubako, boxes filled with…something【Photos】
Space retro to steam punk: Sailor Moon girls get awesome makeovers
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Weekly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]- One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Monthly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026- Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
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
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Yearly
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- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Small Hokkaido bookshop’s unique service is getting business from all over Japan
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Japan’s most mysterious vending machine sells fukubako, boxes filled with…something【Photos】
Space retro to steam punk: Sailor Moon girls get awesome makeovers
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
This amazing suit of samurai armor is made of five-yen coins, and you can make your own too【Pics】
Pizza Hut Japan tries to win over pineapple haters with new bulgogi meat pizza【Taste test】
Is this Tokyo government office still one of the best places in the city for a curry rice lunch?
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Trio of thieves break into Japanese glasses store, foiled by old-timey cash register
Test your knowledge of Ghost of Tsushima’s geography and enter a drawing for a mystery prize
Exclusive Super Mario Yoshi figure to be given away at Dodgers Stadium [Video]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
-
