red panda
Penguin bars, owl cafes, and black cat coffee shops are just a few of the strange and yet completely cool shops in Japan where you can view animals while you sip and munch. It seems like new ones are turning up every week, like this one in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The restaurant, which is actually part of the Safari Land animal park, allows guests to enjoy a plate of curry in the shape of a smirking red panda face as they watch a real life version of their curried animal in an adjacent enclosure.
We’ve all seen those popular internet videos like the sneezing baby panda and dramatic look gopher, but in Hokkaido today a new internet phenomenon may have been born.
While filming at Murayama Zoo in Sapporo, visitors watched as a baby red panda, known as Gin, received a shock when his caretaker entered their pen to check if they had enough food left in their dish.
What might have caused most animals to simply jump a little, however, caused little Gin to fall over backwards, mouth open and limbs flailing like Sarah Connor when Arnold Schwarzeneggar comes out of the elevator in James Cameron’s Terminator 2…



One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Nintendo’s Kirby zooms into Japanese convenience stores Family Mart’s Super Satisfied Fest
Package delivery in Japan may be delayed due to bear risks
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Wobbly Spirited Away No Face tea time figure is ready for a jittery Ghibli break, Jiji too【Pics】
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Ice cream with Japanese dashi kelp stock shocks us enough to try it【Taste test】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Package delivery in Japan may be delayed due to bear risks
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Wobbly Spirited Away No Face tea time figure is ready for a jittery Ghibli break, Jiji too【Pics】
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Ice cream with Japanese dashi kelp stock shocks us enough to try it【Taste test】
Randy’s Donuts opens first-ever branch in Japan, brings L.A.’s donuts to Tokyo【Photos】
It’s time to say goodbye to one of Tokyo’s most famous landmark meeting spots
Will our reporter’s wish to find the secret Dragon Ball sweets be granted?
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Japan Legal Wedding service offers a path for travelers to hold destination weddings in Japan
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Super Sentai Series to end after this season