Takanori Nishikawa’s home prefecture supermarket has a whole line of Christmas cakes named after his songs, but do they look the part?
Shiga Prefecture
Looking for a scenic outing this month? This lakeside park in Shiga will leave you transfixed with all of its autumn glory.
Move right along with your business–there’s nothing out of the ordinary going on at the city hall.
Koka City was once home to the legendary Koga Ninja Clan, and the local station pays homage with some fun trick art!
Soon it may become illegal to take any photos from “hidden cameras” in Shiga Prefecture, which may mean a ban on catching Pokémon with your smart phones – Nooooo!!!
Every day leading up to Ninja Day (February 22), Koka City public servants will come to work dressed as the secretive badasses!
When people think of Japan, they often think of towering buildings, tons of traffic, and commuters being packed in trains like sardines into cans. But you’ll find that if you travel outside of the city center, Japan also has a plenty of nature and wildlife to be enjoyed as well.
One of the more well-known sights to be seen are herds of wild deer found in areas like Nara Park and Miyajima. Without any predators or hunters to worry about, the deer can breed freely and herd numbers can get quite high. Overpopulation can become a problem, not just for farmers and people living in the area, but for the surrounding wildlife as well. So what can be done when wild deer numbers get out of hand? Well one solution could be to do as Shiga Prefecture did, and cook up some special venison curry.
There’s no doubt that crows are some of the smartest animals on the planet, so we have to admit that we’ve always found it kind of funny that they’re fooled by something like a scarecrow. Silly birds, those things look nothing like real humans! Unless you’re out driving around Japan’s Shiga Prefecture and happen upon Nobuou Onishi’s farm. Then even careful humans might be fooled by his incredible scarecrows.
In fact, Onishi’s scarecrows are so realistic–and have captured so much attention–that he’s been requested to create an installation for the Borderless Art Museum NO-MA in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture. Check out some of the photos from Onishi’s farm below to see if you can believe your eyes!









Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
The greatest sushi roll in Japanese history is actually nine sushi rolls in one【Photos】
The official cosplay booth models of Tokyo Game Show 2024【Photos】
Pint-sized string quartet Joyous String does an awesome Smooth Criminal
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
The greatest sushi roll in Japanese history is actually nine sushi rolls in one【Photos】
The official cosplay booth models of Tokyo Game Show 2024【Photos】
Pint-sized string quartet Joyous String does an awesome Smooth Criminal
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Japanese Twitter community shocked to learn that train timetables are made with Microsoft Excel
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Asian Juicy: New burgers from McDonald’s Japan pay tribute to a ’90s J-pop music video by Puffy
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Be kind to blind pedestrians by choosing where you step when walking through the snow in Japan
Starbucks adds a matcha and pistachio milk tea latte to the menu in Japan for a limited time
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】