When we wrote about Samurai Studio earlier this month, we have to admit we were more than a little excited to head down and try it out ourselves. Hey, who doesn’t occasionally (or constantly) wish they could run around dressed in Japanese armor with a couple of swords strapped to their side?
Samurai Studio opened for its 10-day limited run today, and we were literally the first in line! In case you’re on the fence about going or just want to see what the process is like, you’ll want to check out our full report, complete with lots and lots of photos.
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
Eating “adults-only” potato chips sends over a dozen Tokyo high schoolers to the hospital
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
Eating “adults-only” potato chips sends over a dozen Tokyo high schoolers to the hospital
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
Which Japanese convenience store has the best lucky sushi roll? Unclear results show clear winner
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
A carlator is shaking things up on our way to one of Japan’s last revolving restaurants
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
10-year-old Japanese girl is youngest person ever certified to prepare deadly poisonous blowfish
We score an exclusive interview with viral Twitter star Otodo-chan, Kochi Aquarium’s scary mascot
New Attack on Titan theme park attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)