Sticker shock hits our Japanese-born reporter in France, and it’s not the only surprise she got.
rice balls (Page 3)
A surprising new-and-improved contender from Lawson might just steal your heart this year.
A lot of the rice balls on convenience store shelves include oil, but it’s not to make them taste better.
We call them “rice balls” in English, but the real-meaning of “onigiri” is something a lot of Japanese people don’t find appetizing.
We encounter delectable rice balls that could have been made by mom on an island far from Japan’s mainland.
Our reporter completes a challenging race only to face a tougher challenge — a giant rice ball!




















7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Japan’s new sailor suit-inspired swimsuits bring classroom style to the beach
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Which Japanese convenience store has the best miso vegetable stick pack?【Taste test】
New ‘floating’ 3-D signs at this Japanese train station make you feel like you’re in a video game
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Which Japanese convenience store has the best miso vegetable stick pack?【Taste test】
New ‘floating’ 3-D signs at this Japanese train station make you feel like you’re in a video game
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Starbucks Japan brings out a new green tea Frappuccino topped with a whole chocolate mini cake
Sweet! Japan’s canned sour cocktails with real lemon slices inside are coming back
Tokyo’s new Keio Liner train debuts next month with special features and reserved seating
AR sport Hado added to Shizuoka high school curriculum
Japan’s Hiepita forehead cooling strips, so popular they changed the language, are disappearing
How to make your own hoshi-imo Japanese dried sweet potato snacks【SoraKitchen】
Beautiful Studio Ghibli photo frames let you put yourself in the worlds of Totoro and Kiki【Pics】