Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
roundabout
We recently talked about some changes the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism was making to street signs ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but it seems they are not content with superficial changes. They have apparently started looking into the plausibility of introducing signal-less roundabouts to Japan, something that could have drivers feeling very grumpy.
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gapDisney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese thingsForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutionsThere’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird trainOur Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gap
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Japanese restaurant chain causes a stir with foreigners online, but is it any good?
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
Japanese website ranks the top 10 most delicious-looking Pokémon… with a very unexpected #1
Live-action Hunter x Hunter stage play is first in almost 20 years, reveals in-costume cast【Vid】
Should you put your kid on a leash? Japanese mothers weigh in
Studio Ghibli bath mats and towels will help wash your worries away