SMAP, one of Japan’s most famous pop boy band groups, have announced they will disband at the end of this year.
Shingo
Although, Japan is still something of a smoker’s paradise compared to other developed countries, there are signs that times are a’changing with an increase in prices and no-smoking areas sprouting up across the land.
Anti-smoking groups often use dramatic stories and images to try and frighten or disgust people out of smoking tobacco. However, one simple poster hanging in a smoking section in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture sends a chilling message of love to all their nicotine addicts.
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Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Weekly
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park- Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers- Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend- New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train- Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Nara unveils new vending machines that sell deer crackers
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
We tried Pizza Hut Japan’s limited-edition pizza topped with…ice cream and maple syrup?
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Japanese restaurant posts nine steps for how you should eat their noodles, but you only need one
Japan’s favorite beer, Asahi Super Dry, to get new low-alcohol spinoff
Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station’s west side: Quite possibly best spot in Japan for Pokémon GO
New Japanese bowl-shaped donburi rice cooker cooks rice and toppings at the same time
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