Flying into Narita International Airport, many travelers are surprised to learn they are almost 60 km outside of Tokyo and need to take an hour train ride to get into the city. Its location in rural Chiba Prefecture was chosen in the 1960s when the government realized the smaller Haneda airport could not keep up with the booming postwar air traffic in and out of Tokyo. Many locals protested the new airport that bulldozed over their formerly quiet lives and the bitter fight left the area with some very odd landmarks, such as a heavily secured and monitored shrine that sits almost directly in front of one of the runways.
Tokyo’s Super Mario Christmas decoration displays are super cool【Photos】
Sailor Moon and J-pop mega-star Ayumi Hamasaki team up for collaboration, pre-defeat scalpers
Will our cosplay lucky bag purchase leave us feeling sew lucky or hemmed in?【Photos】
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
This Nara workshop has been making deer crackers for more than 100 years and offers tours【Photos】
Police called out to investigate suspicious Santa in Wakayama
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Right now is the very best time to go to Japan’s “castle in the sky,” and here’s why【Pics, Vids】
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
We try making a low-calorie katsu with tofu instead of pork【SoraKitchen】
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
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
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 releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
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
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
Police called out to investigate suspicious Santa in Wakayama
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Right now is the very best time to go to Japan’s “castle in the sky,” and here’s why【Pics, Vids】
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
We try making a low-calorie katsu with tofu instead of pork【SoraKitchen】
Kura Sushi has a new parade-delivered whole cake dessert, but what’s it like to eat?【Video】
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Tokyo’s super-secret-location sushi restaurant has a stand-up sister shop that’s open to all
Japan’s premier love doll maker is closing, says goodbye to fans with heartfelt message
“Please, tread on me!” beg anime fans
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Not ready to go full tatami? This clever item adds a dash of Japanese reed flooring to your home