Suica Penguin
We visit Hobonichi HQ in Tokyo to give you the highlights and our must-buy recommendations for next year’s range.
End of the line for JR East’s adorable mascot for its revolutionary train fare payment system.
25 years after the Suica Penguin helped revolutionize how Japan buys train ticket and shops, JR’s plans for the future don’t include the character.
You may recall we reported a while ago on JR East’s Suica penguin mascot character being turned into a totally yummy-licious looking cream-filled bread. Now, Suica Penguin, as the mascot is known, has become a beautiful cake that’s attracted a fair bit of attention on the Japanese Internet recently. Of course, we couldn’t ignore such buzz involving a confection that’s bound to look adorable as well as taste delectably sweet, so we sent one of our reporters off on a mission to try the penguin cake everyone seemed to be talking about and provide our readers with a first-hand account. So, was the cake as cute and tasty as we expected?
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Weekly
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month- Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
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Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Sanrio to release own rhythm game for smartphones next January
Japanese airport offering 19,250-yen sandwiches as last Japan meal for international travelers
Converse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Fukushima’s popular dialect T-shirt vending machine gets its first sibling in Iwaki
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Osaka may name a district after mascot Myaku-Myaku
Japan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
Pikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
Bear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
New Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
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