Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Star Tours
It’s been a long time coming, but Star Wars fans will soon get to see the seventh installment in the long-running franchise when Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters next month. While waiting for the theatrical release, fans living in Tokyo can experience the thrill of the series firsthand by venturing over to Tokyo Disneyland, where the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue attraction is now open to the public!
Three days after every other person on the internet was posting “May the fourth be with you,” Tokyo Disneyland was flooded with Star Wars fans celebrating the grand reopening of Star Tours: the Adventures Continues. The ride offers a 3-D Star Wars experience with over 50 possible randomly selected story combinations. There’s no greater thrill than feeling as if you are rocketing through space, interacting with familiar Star Wars characters in the third dimension.
But what impressed our reporter, Tashiro-kun, the most was the fanfare that day. With around 200 Disney cast members dressed in Star Wars costume and more Disney-Star Wars merchandise than you can shake a light saber at, Tokyo Disneyland on May 7 was the place to be for Star Wars fans.
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Hinamatsuri Pikachu kimono couple plushie on the way to celebrate Japan’s Doll Festival【Photos】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Studio Ghibli’s Mother’s Day corn set is a heartwarming gift for Totoro fans
Machida Squirrel Garden: Tokyo’s tiny zoo for equally tiny critters【Photos】
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping listStarbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime characterJapanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping listStarbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day FrappuccinoCherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura seasonStudio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Studio Ghibli’s Mother’s Day corn set is a heartwarming gift for Totoro fans
Machida Squirrel Garden: Tokyo’s tiny zoo for equally tiny critters【Photos】
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
Tom Hanks visits Japan, blends in with oyaji at restaurant in Tokyo
Hayao Miyazaki comments on Chihiro’s final test scene in Spirited Away
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
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Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
We visit the oldest remaining Komeda Coffee cafe in Japan for a retro blast from the past
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