Watch performers balance spectacular lantern poles on their chins in an unforgettable summer festival.
Tohoku
This wanko soba restaurant in Iwate Prefecture serves up soba without a side of self-consciousness.
You’ve still got a little time left to enjoy stunning views of the ocean before the rooftop beer garden closes for the season.
Beer? Sake? One part of Japan has a strong fondness for both, as well as a few other alcoholic beverages.
Sweet edamame Slimes draw near to our stomachs as Dragon Quest teams up with maker of northeastern Japan’s most famous traditional dessert,
Our reporter samples Sendai’s most popular food souvenir for the first time and is overcome by emotion.
Yamagata dialect can be very different from the Japanese you learned in school, but this illustrated guide will have people telling you “Jondagodo!” in no time.
Sure, Tokyo and Kyoto are nice, but this northeastern town is their top Japan travel pick.
The winning spot grabs the people’s vote for all of northern Japan for the fourth year in a row.
A decade after the 3-11 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear incident, all Japanese produce from the affected areas has an open path to the U.S.
You might guess the most popular Pokémon type in the country, but each prefecture might surprise you!
4 Days in Tohoku, Japan’s Northeastern Treasureland
Japan’s northeastern region of Tohoku was once considered a remote, inaccessible land. Today, the Tohoku Shinkansen and other modes of transport have made it easier than ever to explore its unique traditions, uncrowded historical districts, and stunning natural scenery.
To uncover what this fascinating region had to offer, I, Noam Katz, set out on a short journey to three of Tohoku’s six prefectures: Fukushima, Yamagata, and Akita.
This autumn staple of Yamagata Prefecture comes to our kitchen in Tokyo with the help of a friend from the region.
Good news if you want to get there even faster than a speeding bullet train can right now.
This preserved Tohoku building goes from completely devastated to practically unharmed in just a few floors.
Into the water off the beaten path.



















Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
The complete guide to sushi in one handy picture
Burger King Japan’s crazy patty-only menu item: Depressing, delicious, or both?【Taste test】
Owner of ridiculously long tongue is also a former idol, does cool tongue tricks
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
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That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
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Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
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
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
The complete guide to sushi in one handy picture
Burger King Japan’s crazy patty-only menu item: Depressing, delicious, or both?【Taste test】
Owner of ridiculously long tongue is also a former idol, does cool tongue tricks
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Japan’s workplace drinking party communication is unnecessary, says majority of workers in survey
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
Mr. Sato visited Black Thunder’s new factory, but was mostly captivated by their sukajan jackets
Store your captured cards and other belongings in these Cardcaptor Sakura handbags
Manga materials website offers thousands of reference poses for budding artists to download
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects