Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
roadworks
The fact that the word kawaii has now been accepted into the Oxford English Dictionary says a lot about Japan’s obsession with all things cute. If there’s a manhole cover or a health and safety pamphlet that needs brightening up somehow, you can pretty much guarantee that someone will design a cutesy character or scene to adorn it. That’s just how Japan rolls.
Never, though, have we come across barricades made to look like kneeling kimono-clad princesses before.
When people visit Japan, they often marvel at how great the service everywhere is. Trains run on time; a guy pops out of a little hatch like a station ninja when you’re struggling with a ticket vending machine; packages come precisely when they’re supposed to, and even if you miss them you can just call the driver on their mobile phone to arrange a new delivery time.
Day in, day out, stuff just works. And yet, unlike the many foreigners who live here, native Japanese take this all completely in their stride. Take this video, for example, which was taken by a foreigner living and uploaded to YouTube a couple of weeks ago…
Japan’s Kanto region just can’t catch a break recently – first heavy snow brings the capital city to its knees (and this writer given the X of denial as he was told “Sorry, sir, the flight has already departed” after it took five hours to reach the airport in it), and now giant columns of water are spurting up out of the ground.
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Tour our Japanese-language reporter’s apartment, a wonderland of 100-yen trinkets
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura seasonTrain station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime characterJapanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in JapanStarbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from JapanCherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in TokyoStudio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in TokyoJapanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping listStudio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
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
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Tour our Japanese-language reporter’s apartment, a wonderland of 100-yen trinkets
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy