Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
souvenir (Page 2)
What would you get if you crossed the ancient capital of Japan with the massively successful Dragon Quest series of video games? Nope, it’s not a silly question, since this collaboration has already been realized in the form of “Nara Quest,” the funny title for a handful of amusing souvenirs from Nara Prefecture that parody the famous game franchise. Read on for a look at the clever goods!
If you’re lucky enough to take a trip over to Tokyo, it’s best to bring a little slice of Japan’s capital back home for those who missed out on your trip. But with all the delectable sweets and beautifully packaged treats, it can be a little overwhelming to choose the right one. So before you leave, be sure to take a look at this list of the top 10 omiyage you can only buy at Tokyo Station.
Sushi was once a strange delicacy confined to the shores of Japan. Thanks to its health benefits, the humble sushi has since travelled the world, popping up in all sorts of remote and obscure locations from Iceland to the Middle East.
Now sushi is on the move again, this time coming with you on your travels and hugging your luggage in the form of clever suitcase covers. With four designs to choose from, baggage claim carousels are set to look like giant sushi train conveyor belts this summer!
The Imperial Palace of Japan is a popular destination for tourists around the world. Aside from being the residence of the modern line of Japanese emperors, it’s also known for being the location of Edo Castle, home to the Tokugawa Shogunate. Being such a place steeped in culture and history, it’s definitely worth checking out, but that’s not the only reason. Tucked away in the imperial palace is a little known shop humbly called Kunaicho Seikatsu Kyodokumiai (Imperial Household Agency Cooperative) which sells food and items related to the imperial household. These items can only be found at this shop and they can’t be bought on-line.
This shop is largely unknown to even Japanese people, so our reporter Yoshio went in (after making the necessary reservation) to discover what limited edition treasures the Kunaicho Seikatsu Kyokumiai had to offer. Let’s see what he found in his photo-filled report!
Recently, tourists in Japan have been flocking to Kappabashi-dori, also known as Kitchen Town, before returning to their home countries. They come to the small shopping area located between Ueno and Asakusa, Tokyo in search of a hot souvenir item not entirely unique to Japan.
About half of the milk in Japan is produced in the beautiful and vast countryside of Hokkaido, the largest of Japan’s 47 prefectures and northernmost of Japan’s four main islands. As such, cows have become a symbol of the prefecture. Walk into any souvenir shop in the prefecture and you’re bound to find a few locally-produced snacks with bovine-inspired packaging.
On a recent trip to Hokkaido, one of our reporters came across one such snack that was a little less run-of-the-mill than your usual butter cookies: “Cow Poop?” chocolate mochi.
Following the opening of Evangelion Store Tokyo-01, and with the release of the third installment of the reboot series, Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo, a new Evangelion souvenir shop is scheduled to open in the town of Hakone on 14 July.
Hakone, which serves as the backdrop for the Evangelion story (where it’s renamed as Tokyo-3), is happy to be home to the second official Evangelion store, called “Eva Shop” but is also hoping they don’t get a repeat of what happened two years ago.
Our correspondent who travelled to North Korea recently met with an unwelcome reception at Narita airport as he returned via Beijing. “Customs officials, without any idea it was about to happen, spent about 10 minutes going through my things” he described. “It’s a sketchy country, so I guess they have to do these things, but still – it’s disappointing.”
The result of the search was that he had to give up every single souvenir he got in North Korea.
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Poll finds support to let women inherit imperial throne as Japan faces possible succession crisis
We make Russian food based only on the sound of its name, somehow everyone who ate it survived
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
Uniqlo brings cultural cuteness to Edo animals T-shirt line with Japanese history’s greatest artists
Pringles teams up with Hello Kitty for new Sanrio collection in Japan
There’s a new museum in Japan, but almost all of its location is a secret
Exhibit featuring cutting-edge smell technology held at Tokyo Skytree
When Two Amazing Worlds Collide: Welcome to the World of Cat Sushi!
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resortStamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in KantoTokyo 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 answerJapan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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
Uniqlo brings cultural cuteness to Edo animals T-shirt line with Japanese history’s greatest artists
Pringles teams up with Hello Kitty for new Sanrio collection in Japan
There’s a new museum in Japan, but almost all of its location is a secret
Exhibit featuring cutting-edge smell technology held at Tokyo Skytree
When Two Amazing Worlds Collide: Welcome to the World of Cat Sushi!
Studio Ghibli releases My Neighbour Totoro neckties in Japan
We try Tapioca Beer, the drink that everyone’s raving about in Japan right now
We go on a quest to find the cheesiest sushi at Japanese conveyor belt sushi chains【Taste test】
What?!? Turns out kids eat for free at one of Japan’s best ramen chains, and hardly anyone knew
Starbucks Japan opens first-ever branch on Shinkansen bullet train platform
TikTok releases its Year in Music 2025 – Japan’s Top 10 Songs ranking
New contender for the Akihabara ramen crown: Restaurant run by martial arts champ【Taste test】