renovation
Proof that when night falls, nature comes out to play in the Japanese countryside, like something out of an anime film.
Before-and-after photos of revamped vacant houses combine traditional beauty with modern style.
Most people get restless on flights over three or four hours long, but one Oregonian man has been living on an airliner for 15 years, and says he now has eyes on Miyazaki, Japan for his next destination.
Getting a fancy new computer is always fun, but then you’re left to get rid of your outdated clunker. Sure you can send it off to be recycled, but think of all the good times you’ve shared with your old computing buddy.
One Japanese Mac Pro user couldn’t part with his desktop, so he decided to give it a second life − as a stove. A rocket stove, to be precise. By adding a burner to the top and an exhaust pipe at the bottom, behold the “yakiringo” (grilled apple).
Ah, the wonderful world of Disney! With the holiday festivities swinging into full gear, there’s bound to be a lot of fun and magic going on at Tokyo Disney Resort this time of the year. Well, Disney lovers, in a few months, there will be one more reason for you to visit the land where dreams come true.
The Disney Ambassador Hotel, long loved by Disney fans for its Art Deco style interior containing numerous Disney character motifs and surely a delightful place to stay for any visitor, will be going under partial renovation and reopen on February 6th next year.
So what new changes can guests look forward to? Read More


















Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
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
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
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】
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
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
What Hayao Miyazaki’s Mei would look like if Studio Ghibli released My Neighbor Totoro in 3-D
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
Village Vanguard possibly tops its own record for most useless junk in a lucky bag this year
Japan’s new “painful sadness” snacks are a deliciously mysterious linguistics lesson【Taste test】
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 5 million yen【Vid】