Local tip-off takes us to a hanami cherry blossom viewing site that’s yet to be discovered by overseas tourists.
spring
Japanese anime theme park opens its doors to non-ticket holders with a special application system.
Beat the crowds on the land and see the sakura like you’ve never seen them before on a luxurious river cruise this spring.
Here are the most popular picks for cherry blossom-viewing in both eastern and western Japan, based on bookings.
Elegance and simplicity define this watch, but you may have to fight to get your hands on it.




















Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
Japan’s favorite beer, Asahi Super Dry, to get new low-alcohol spinoff
Tokyo train stations giving out awesome giant Pokémon cards, but you’ll want to hurry
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japanese high schools abolish old rules, provide freedom with underwear, hair and dating
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
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】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
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】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
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
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japanese high schools abolish old rules, provide freedom with underwear, hair and dating
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
What would convince Japanese people to live in a home where there’d been a death or “accident?”
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Butsukariya: Men who purposely crash into women when walking through Japan’s crowded stations
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Animals weighing themselves are Japan’s newest line of strangely relatable capsule toys figures
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown