Sunkus
If Sunkus’ Red-Oni-Pants-Lookin’ Bread and Pom Pom Purin’s Purin Purin! Butt Cakes are any indication, 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for baked goods.
One of Japan’s most loved snack foods has got to be onigiri. Both a staple of mom’s home cooking and convenience store cuisine, these little balls of rice wrapped in seaweed come in enough flavors and styles to satisfy everyone. They’re even so delicious they have driven some people to armed robbery.
Personally during these summer months these rice balls are especially satisfying. They’re good because in this intense heat it can be hard to stomach greasier fare like cheeseburgers.
However, now Circle K Sunkus stores have stocked themselves with a Bakudan Musubi Bacon Cheese Hamburg (Pepper Mayo Included). Containing everything in the title and then some, I didn’t hesitate to grab one of these curiosities and try it out.
Chinese style steamed dumplings are a staple of convenience stores all over Japan. Known as nikuman in Japan (or other name ending in “–man” depending on the fillings) their round shape allows for a lot of cross marketing creativity. In the past we’ve seen Spiderman, Monsters Inc., the Dragon Quest Slime, Hatsune Miku, and random cute animals all rendered in dumpling form.
What better way for the hard rocking and hard merchandising titans of Kiss to commemorate their Japan tour in the latter half of this month than with the Kiss Super-Spicy Chili Tomatoman? But can a steamed dumpling capture the rock and roll spirit of Kiss? Mr. Sato went on the day of their release to find out.




Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Defacing the Japanese flag is now a crime, says government, punishable by up to two years in jail
Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
Gundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Defacing the Japanese flag is now a crime, says government, punishable by up to two years in jail
Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
Gundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Tokyo’s viral 90-yen cafe pop-up returns to Harajuku with yogurt coffee
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
A donut and sugar-loving bear in Japan is breaking into homes, checking fridges for sweet snacks
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s semi-secret affogato is a perfect mix of fun and fancy [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
Can instant TKG from Don Quijote really recreate Japan’s beloved raw-egg-on-rice dish?