Toyama
Sip your coffee to the backdrop of a magnificent, panoramic view next to this Starbucks in Toyama Prefecture.
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.



















Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
Over 1,400 cities in Japan see foreign population rise, total populations drop in new statistics
Stray cats almost became classified as an invasive species in Japan but the change was overturned
7-Eleven Japan adds new doughnut-like tonkotsu ramen fried chicken to its hot food section
Starbucks Japan unveils new Kyoho grape drinks for a taste that’s quintessentially Japanese
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New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
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This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
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Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
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Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
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Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan unveils new Kyoho grape drinks for a taste that’s quintessentially Japanese
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
This Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed
Studio Ghibli theme park announces new expansion saluting a previously off-limits anime
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
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Tokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
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Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
One Piece Day returns to Tokyo Big Sight and worldwide on Youtube 22 and 23 August