Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Sato-san
Swedish furniture store Ikea has made a name for itself worldwide, not only for the size of its stores and decently priced, assemble-it-yourself furnishings, but also for the extremely cheap fare found in their food courts.
Now, they’re really putting the icing on the cake: For a limited time, Ikeas across Japan are having an hour-long all-you-can-eat “Oriental Buffet” for the insane price of only 500 yen (US$4)! But what will only 500 yen get you, you ask? Actually quite the spread, it seems!
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
Tokyo restaurant with two-year wait now offers random meat packs from vending machine【Taste test】
Here comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
Transform your fridge into a Japanese nightscape with light-up snack bar signboard magnets
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experienceIs China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right nowThree beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminatingYokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
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 TokyoStarbucks 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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Transform your fridge into a Japanese nightscape with light-up snack bar signboard magnets
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
Giant new nine-floor arcade opens in Tokyo, wants to welcome new and old games fans alike
Chocolate Totoro cream puffs and cakes coming to Japan’s Ghibli bakery for Valentine’s Day【Pics】
Jazz up your anime figure collection shelf with these cool, rotating, light-up display cases
14 tips for visiting the Mt Fuji Shibazakura Festival, where beautiful “lawn sakura” blossom
Sushi cars are the newest crazy cool dream from Japan’s Tomica line
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is adding a giant Godzilla statue to its international terminal
Nike commercial addresses bullying and racism in Japan, riles up debate online【Video】
Japan’s new ultra luxurious hotel looks like a castle, is priced for aristocrats【Photos】
Real-life Kiki’s Bakery is worth a visit whether you’ve seen the anime it’s based on or not