This train station dungeon wants you to turn back at this point, but what happens if you go ahead?
stairs
The University of Tokyo is a difficult school to get into, and also around, it seems.
This family of cats is so good-looking every move they make is like a pose from a magazine.
Need a break from reality? Take a look at this video created by a student from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
The video features the mythical Escherian Staircase (aka Penrose Stairs), or the never-ending staircase where you go up two flights of steps and end up at the same place you began. It’s said that Filipino architect Rafael Nelson Aboganda is the genius who built the “Impossible Staircase.”
There is something fishy, however. This physics-defying creation – first thought up more or less simultaneously by the Lionel and Roger Penrose team, and M.C. Escher in the 1950s – was built by Abgonda in the 60s, yet no one knows about it― not even students at the school, despite being a seemingly physically impossible feat! Hmm….
When it comes to going up and down in life, stairs really seem to be the most inconsiderate. Rather than carrying you along like your friends the escalator or elevator, stairs just seem to lay there without moving an inch to help you.
Even in Japan where politeness is a way of life, the stairs still just sit there waiting for us to do all the heavy lifting. All except a few flights of extremely well-mannered stairs located in Kitakata Station in Fukushima Prefecture. While they don’t physically help you to go up, they do still have power… the power to move you.
Recently the image of a Dragon Quest style floor mat was released on Twitter caused many long-time role playing fans to rise up as one and say “Take my money!”
Unfortunately for me and for thou, this mat, dubbed “Quest Mat”, cannot be bought by conventional means such as gold. In true Dragon Quest fashion it can only be found by searching the urban dungeons known as “video game shops” and then wrested from the clutches of the evil “staff” who are keeping them locked away from us.








Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Godiva Dessert joins the cute crepe game in Harajuku
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
Burgers soaked in a plate of hot cheese served at American Diner Andra in Tokyo
This official Pokémon horror video is surprisingly terrifying【Video】
We tried Tokyo’s “rent a middle-aged Japanese man” service, and it was awesome!
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Luxembourg-based hobbyist’s video game dioramas are epic, wonderfully nerdy, and not for sale
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Meet and eat nostalgic Sanrio characters from the 80s at limited-time cafe in Tokyo