taste-testing
It’s no secret that we love ice cream around here. In fact, we’ve often thought about petitioning someone to get it added to the food pyramid as a new, essential group unto itself. So far, no one has taken up our cause, but maybe they will after they see this list of delicious autumn-themed ice cream from Japan.
There are plenty of…unusual ice cream flavors, but chestnut might be the strangest we’ve seen. Here’s the real question though: Is it as tasty as it is bizarre?
While we usually focus on news from Japan or Asia, sometimes we like to flip things around and give our readers a Japanese perspective on other cultures. We’ve given you a Japanese person’s take on New York ramen before, and today we’ve got another taste-testing piece for you! But this time, we’re casting a slightly wider net by sending one of our writers to try all the Coca Cola flavors on the planet at World of Coca Cola in Las Vegas.
Read on to find out if he likes your country’s cola flavor!



We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Japan’s best-amenity budget hotel chain gets extra-affordable with “Global Cabin” rooms
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
We eat at an Ishigaki Island hotel breakfast buffet that has incredible value for the money
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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】
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
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
We eat at an Ishigaki Island hotel breakfast buffet that has incredible value for the money
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Seattle burger chain Lil Woody’s has arrived in Tokyo! But is it any good?【Taste Test】
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?