Tohoku
Watch performers balance spectacular lantern poles on their chins in an unforgettable summer festival.
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.




















Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Pachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas