In the mining town of Gällivare, located in the Swedish section of Lapland, the contestants have gathered. These men and women gritted their teeth as they walked through the streets in their heavy boots on the morning of 22 November with the frosty wind biting at their quickly reddening cheeks.
Red cheeks would serve them well, however. As would eyes that twinkle and a round belly that shakes when they laugh like a bowlful of jelly, for these world warriors were here to determine who was the World’s Best Santa.
And so, when the blood was mopped up and visions of sugar plums danced through the heads of little ones, it was Japan’s very own Kohei Yamashita who emerged victorious bringing his nation its first ever World’s Best Santa title.
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Turn a rainy forecast into a blast at the Naruto & Boruto Ninja Village May Rain Festival 2026
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
“Welcome argument?” Mr Sato really, really wants to know where Lily-Rose Depp got her kanji shirt
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Turn a rainy forecast into a blast at the Naruto & Boruto Ninja Village May Rain Festival 2026
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
“Welcome argument?” Mr Sato really, really wants to know where Lily-Rose Depp got her kanji shirt
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Godzilla turns fuzzy for his 60th birthday with adorable results, we stop by to say hi
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Meet the Mega Bento, a Japanese meal that’s heavier than a newborn baby
Gackt lashes out at Cool Japan: “Almost no results of Japanese culture exported overseas”
Holy noodles! Japanese restaurant serves up some very unusual udon
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza