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!









Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese rail and Shinkansen bullet train announcers come together for series of cute videos
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Our four must-visit saunas in Japan for total relaxation
Permanent Japanese residency to be possible for foreigners with anime-related jobs after one year
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Yoshiki and Kiss to perform together again on Japan’s New Year’s Eve music extravaganza Kohaku