A tiny part of a kanji is all that separates these place names in written form, but there’s a much bigger difference in their respective atmospheres.
racing
Like automotive magpies, we fall in love with something shiny. Now just to find a(nother) car to put it in.
”Night of Fire?” More like crash of morons.
There’s just one store in the world that sells these and they’re available for eight days only.
There’s just something about young men ostentatiously showing off their expensive wheels that gets to us. And then some of them have to go that extra mile and start doing things like frying eggs on their million dollar cars, just because they can.
Nintendo’s business is in dire straights, and has been for three consecutive years. Perhaps that’s why the company let Mercedes-Benz sponsor three new cars into its cartoonish racing game for the Wii U, in the form of a free downloadable content (DLC) package set to release at the end of the month.
Some of our readers may be too young to remember, but in his heyday, Ayrton Senna was the biggest thing in racing. The Brazilian racer took home the F1 driver’s championship in 1988, 1990, and 1991 before his life was cut short when his car collided with a retaining wall at over 230 kilometers (143) miles per hour during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Japanese motorsport fans have a particular fondness for Senna. Aside from having some of his most memorable races at Japan’s Suzuka Circuit, Senna won all three of his championships in cars powered by Honda engines, and was also involved in the production of the company’s flagship NSX sports car.
Using telemetric data Honda has recreated Senna’s record-breaking 1989 lap of Suzuka in light and sound as part of an incredible video posted on the company’s website.
Kei Cars are a Japanese category of vehicles that are too weak to be considered actual cars, but too powerful to be considered go-carts. They are distinguished by their cool yellow license plates (as opposed to a white one for cars with regular-sized engines and larger dimensions) and are loved by those looking for a cheap mode of transportation. Thanks to some clever modifications by extreme driving enthusiasts in Japan, what used to be a measly 660cc engine putt-putt car has been transformed into a lean, mean, drifting machine.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Weekly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations- Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Yearly
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
Pachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
-
