Tokyo would probably be one of the creepiest cities if it were abandoned and covered with fog.
Silent Hill
The release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has been met with as much excitement and frenzy as you might expect from the latest instalment of a legendary video game franchise. But while most players are preoccupied with riding D. Horse around, frolicking in cardboard boxes and puzzling over the intricate story, it’s a certain voiceover that’s had us scratching our heads. Where on earth have we heard iDroid‘s soothing tones before? Oh, that’s right – on the Shinkansen!
Voice actor and vocalist Donna Burke is a veteran of the video game industry, lending her vocal cords to multiple games including MGSV and Silent Hill, and she ALSO provided the English-language spoken announcement that’s broadcast on the bullet train to help foreign visitors navigate their way around Japan!
Those who owned an original grey PlayStation back in the day will no doubt be familiar with Silent Hill, the survival horror series that went on to spawn a host of sequels as well as a questionable feature film of the same name. The series has had its ups and downs over the years, and many feel that it has lost much of what made it so great to begin with, but it looks like the newest instalment is set to bring back what gamers loved about the originals: the kind of tense, tortuous, genuinely horrible horror that makes you consider keeping the lights on at bedtime.
Don’t believe us? Check out these reaction videos from makers Konami.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Krispy Kreme Japan giving free donuts with morning drink purchases at all branches, maybe forever
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
These apartments are crazy-small even by Tokyo standards, and super-popular with young people
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Alcohol Made with Fermented Wasps Gives New Meaning to the Phrase “Get Your Buzz On”
Now you can be like the girls in Laid-Back Camp by renting the exact gear they use in the anime
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
This handsome anime-style security guard will be protecting actual homes and offices in Japan
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
- 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
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Alcohol Made with Fermented Wasps Gives New Meaning to the Phrase “Get Your Buzz On”
Now you can be like the girls in Laid-Back Camp by renting the exact gear they use in the anime
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
This handsome anime-style security guard will be protecting actual homes and offices in Japan
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Bros? Kart? Party? Japanese gamers pick their top 5 Mario series
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Tokyo’s crazy huge sakura sweet bean bun makes Mr. Sato happier/fuller than we’ve ever seen him
Art exhibition: How to flip a skirt in a cute way (Schoolgirl complex 4)
The Top Nine Things Japanese Women Discreetly Check Out When on a Hunt for a Husband
-
