stores
Family pulls the final shutter down on one of the oldest Japanese sweets stores in the country.
Modern conveniences are returning to parts of Hokkaido, but there’s still much to be done.
Disney’s elegant princesses and cute characters have earned them legions of fans around the world. In Japan, adults of all ages are smitten, unashamedly saving up for specially branded clothing and accessories, and using precious vacation time for day trips to Tokyo Disneyland.
This love for all things Disney has resulted in three stores exclusive to Japan that cater directly to the adult market. Fukuoka and Chiba have each been blessed with a unique branch of their own, but it’s the newly opened store in Tokyo’s Harajuku, the birthplace of kawaii culture, that really sets out to impress.
Come with us as we take you through the store, with its pretty princess accents and attractive displays filled with bags, jewellery, smartphone accessories and more.
In the wake of the protests in the US over the controversial Ferguson decision and subsequently President Obama’s unfortunate choice of words galvanizing anti-immigration sentiments in Japan, the Chinese are facing a racism scandal of their own, but this time by their own people.
A Beijing store recently came under fire when they hung a sign outside of their shop proclaiming: “Chinese not admitted. Staff excluded.” Just so we’re clear, this is in China.
Unless you grew up in Japan, you may be baffled by the emphasis that Japanese employees place on customer service. Customers in Japan are treated as royalty from every possible angle, even if they’re just out buying a few pieces of fried chicken at the local convenience store. If you’re not used to it, you may find the special treatment to be endearing, but after a while you may come to think of all the excess services as unnecessary and annoying.
It turns out that some Japanese people feel the same way about their own country’s customs regarding customer service. Have you ever felt the same about any of the following situations?
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Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Star Wars becomes a kabuki play as we attend Kairennosuke and the Three Shining Swords in Tokyo
Survey says osechi New Year’s food differs according to each region in Japan
New Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon collaboration brings anime magic to bags, shoes and accessories
The ancient Japanese textile craft made with jagged fingernails
Gorgeous Japanese Twitter art depicts the charm of everyday household life…with Pokémon
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Vacation with Oshawott in this Pokémon collaboration hotel room in Mie Prefecture
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Weekly
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】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
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 resort
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
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
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The ancient Japanese textile craft made with jagged fingernails
Gorgeous Japanese Twitter art depicts the charm of everyday household life…with Pokémon
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Vacation with Oshawott in this Pokémon collaboration hotel room in Mie Prefecture
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
20 things to buy at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
We try a Le Lectier, the highest-quality European pear available in Japan【Taste Test】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
Love Sugar Butter Sandwich Trees? There’s a flavor limited to Haneda Airport that you must try!
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