From love hotels in summer to the history of fireworks, these juicy bits of information amaze even Japanese people.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Japanese soccer fans attracted plenty of praise at the World Cup last month when, having watched their team lose to Ivory Coast, they diligently cleaned up their trash from the stadium. Whether you think these supporters’ actions show how important it is to Japanese people to be considerate of others, or just good old-fashioned common sense that applies wherever you are in the world, everyone (well, almost everyone) agreed that taking your rubbish home with you is A Good Thing.
This week, however, Japanese Twitter users have breathed a collective disappointed sigh as photos of the trash left in the streets after the world-famous Sumida River Fireworks Festival show some people in Japan aren’t as super-considerate as we’d like to think. Is Tokyo an exception to the rules? Or is Japan’s reputation as a super-clean nation undeserved?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Move over, Double Down! KFC has a crazy new way to deliver chicken in the form of the Chizza
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Dumb criminal in Japan tries to sell stolen goods back to shop he just robbed seven minutes ago
Weekly
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses- One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
- Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools- This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Monthly
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”- Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers- Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Move over, Double Down! KFC has a crazy new way to deliver chicken in the form of the Chizza
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Dumb criminal in Japan tries to sell stolen goods back to shop he just robbed seven minutes ago
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Smoking marijuana is now illegal in Japan, can get you 7 years in prison
Adorable baby hippo Moo Deng is now an adorable Mister Donut donut!
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Starbucks Japan releases a special tea latte to celebrate the Year of the Snake
-
