Toyama
They told us money doesn’t grow on trees, but why didn’t they tell us it flows in aqueducts?
Considered one of the greatest feats in the history of construction in Japan, Kurobe Dam plans to open its floodgates to visitors.
We visit the award-winning Starbucks to see if it’s still worthy of its title after a facelift.
Is this a country-fair style affront to Japanese cuisine, or a delicious idea we should have thought of sooner? Our reporter Meg finds out.
It’s soon to be official, Kobe will win Christmas this year, and with it, all of Santa’s gold.
With no cosmopolitan cachet to influence gourmands’ minds, this ramen wins recognition purely for its flavor.
We paid a visit to the unusual location to find out what makes this the world’s most beautiful Starbucks.
Does Japan’s Mitsuoka Motors count as a carmaker? It’s debatable. Yes, the company does have its own dealers that sell Mitsuoka-branded cars. Almost all of them, though, are Nissans or Mazdas with extensive cosmetic modifications. Even the company’s Orochi coupe, which has its own dedicated body, uses an engine built by Toyota.
So let’s ask an easier question: Are Mitsuoka’s cars visually unique? Unquestionably. The company has always made aesthetics the number-one priority in all of its vehicles, and that tradition continues with woodcarving so exquisite it wouldn’t look at all out of place in a Japanese castle, but which instead graces this Mitsuoka sedan.
In Japan, customer service tends to pretty amazing across the board, but perhaps nowhere more so than in the restaurant industry. Some restaurants may be boisterously friendly and others may be quietly courteous, but you can just about always be assured that everyone on the staff, from your server to the owner, is working hard to ensure an enjoyable dining experience.
But even by those standards, this yakiniku restaurant goes above and beyond the call of duty, with an extensive list of extra special services they’re willing to provide. Of course, courteousness is a two-way street, so the restaurant also has 10 unique requests it in turn makes to its customers.
Imagine you’re relaxing at home one day when there’s a sudden knock at the door. Before you know it you’re sitting in a police interrogation room with people trying to get a confession out of you for a crime you know nothing about. Soon after, you are sentenced to prison for three years for a crime you never committed, only to be released and regarded by society as a convicted sex offender for the rest of your days.
That nightmare scenario played out for Hiroshi Yanagihara, a man who, well after serving his full prison sentence, was found innocent of all charges. Following that, an understandably upset Yanagihara went after the people who initially arrested and convicted him, demanding compensation and criminal charges.
As a result, on 9 March Toyama District Court awarded Hiroshi Yanagihara 19.7 million yen (US$161,000) – apparently the value of five years of his life.
There are certain topics that although you may be interested in, one just doesn’t bring up in polite company, the least of which being the regularity of a country’s bowel movements. But luckily our poop-curious friends over at Glico (as in the major Japanese snack company) recently completed a survey about constipation that gives us a very personal look at the health of Japan’s number two habits. The aptly named “Lifestyle and Constipation” survey has revealed which Japanese prefectures are keeping things downstairs regular and which ones are all clogged up.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
All 47 Starbucks Japan’s local Jimoto Frappuccinos, ranked by calorie count, plus what each one is
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Nine questions we have from Netflix’s Rilakkuma trailer, which reminds us he is NOT a bear【Video】
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Meet Asuna, the hyperreal android that will leave your jaw hanging 【Video】
Weekly
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Monthly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism- The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth- Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Nine questions we have from Netflix’s Rilakkuma trailer, which reminds us he is NOT a bear【Video】
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Meet Asuna, the hyperreal android that will leave your jaw hanging 【Video】
Japan’s new luxury sightseeing train will show you part of the country most foreigners never see
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is packed with entertainment, food, and drinks–with one caveat
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Try this easy, low-oil cheese spring roll recipe for your next camping trip (or cheese craving)
New McDonald’s Shiba Inu pie packaging wows customers in Japan
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
-
