We head north to the Akita town where Chainsaw Man’s creator grew up and see the sights that inspired the look of Look Back.
tourism (Page 16)
Spanning from the north of the country to the south, these might be four of the best places in all of Japan to enjoy a cold one.
The two easiest ways to pay for train tickets, and a whole bunch of other stuff, make their long-awaited return.
Screen was put in place as response to tourists, many from overseas, littering and blocking traffic.
Skipping tax payments by showing your passport may become a thing of the past as government finds billions of yen have been improperly waived.
Advance tickets are absolutely required and tough to get for Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum, but on certain summer days there’s a special event for the ticketless too.
Surreal scenes of Nara’s giant Buddha statue getting its once-a-year cleaning from 170 people【Video】
Size difference makes human cleaners of the Daibutsu statue look like tiny little spirits.
Travelers vanish half-way through their reserved stay, leave no trace (or payment) behind.
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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
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Small Hokkaido bookshop’s unique service is getting business from all over Japan
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
- 7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens- Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district- 7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
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The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Small Hokkaido bookshop’s unique service is getting business from all over Japan
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
J-pop group “Chubbiness” releases first music video, possibly look even less chubby than before
Johnson Town: A little piece of America in Japan… where all the residents are Japanese 【Pics】
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Get ready for a cherry-blossom-flavored spring with Sakura Butter potato chips from Calbee!
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
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