Many of you have probably heard about the massive snow sculptures of the Sapporo Snow Festival, adding a fun event to look forward to in the dead of the harsh winters of Japan’s northernmost prefecture. But what about the straw sculptures of the Wara Art Festival in Niigata Prefecture? To celebrate the end of the rice harvest and the abundance of straw that is produced as a result, the folks in Niigata put all that extra dried stuff to creative use, making huge straw sculptures that tower over the thousands of people who come to visit them.
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Best practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Researchers find that it takes guts to be a good mother…gut bacteria at least
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Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Researchers find that it takes guts to be a good mother…gut bacteria at least
Where are all the beautiful women in Japan? Survey investigates
Which is the real winner of McDonald’s Japan v. America burger throwdown? Here’s our taste test!
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Amazon’s unmanned ‘just walk out’ store Amazon Fresh leaves us feeling like criminals
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at the Seria 100-yen chainstore in Japan?
Majority of surveyed Japanese workers have dated a coworker, over 20 percent their boss or senpai
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at beef bowl chain Sukiya?
Dance Dance Revolution Classic mini console set to bring the beat back in micro style【Video】
Survey shows that many Japanese business people’s sleep patterns have changed since teleworking