Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Tyre Tracks
We love introducing our readers to amazing works of art by innovative artists, and the works of Thomas Yang, creative director at DDB Singapore, fall directly under this category. At first glance, you might think that some of his most popular works are mere depictions of internationally famous buildings and structures. But don’t be surprised if you notice something else upon closer inspection–all of the pictures are crafted using bicycle tire tracks!
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Tokyo go-kart rental company charged for renting to foreign tourists “without driver’s licenses”
Every piece of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli anime concept art to be published in new book series
Japanese karaoke chain brings singing in the bathroom to a whole new level
Starbucks Japan reveals new Halloween goods for 2024, with black cats and a costumed Bearista
Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whisky returns to canned cocktails with new highball version
Yakuza member arrested on charges of using insurance to pay for severed finger treatment
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
KFC Genshin Impact fried chicken combo meals now on sale in Japan
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
After 21 years, Harajuku’s famous Lolita fashion and cosplay shop is permanently closing
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
Pizza Hut Japan creates Landmine-type Pizza to celebrate Japan’s dark jirai-kei fashion
“Shibuya is closed for Halloween” – Hachiko to be covered, monitoring towers put up on October 31
Japanese izakaya serves up cheap breakfast…and morning drinks in TokyoStarbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winterJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading JapaneseStudio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Studio Ghibli lets you cosplay as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle with cosy anime fashion range
New Hello Kitty McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal toys are here, and Kitty’s sister is part of the set
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mugEvangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens gets its own moon for moon-viewing season
Right now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Pizza Hut adds a “Guilty Secret” sandwich to its menu for a limited time
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in JapanJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Starbucks Japan reveals new Halloween goods for 2024, with black cats and a costumed Bearista
Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whisky returns to canned cocktails with new highball version
Yakuza member arrested on charges of using insurance to pay for severed finger treatment
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
KFC Genshin Impact fried chicken combo meals now on sale in Japan
Ultimate lazy chanko – Can you make Japan’s sumo wrestler hot pot stew in a rice cooker?
Japanese convenience store releases a new bento sandwich, but is it better than a bento rice ball?
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
Nintendo made an interactive alarm clock, and it’s awesome in so many ways【Video】
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
This non-sweet matcha treat is one of our new favorite Kyoto snack souvenirs【Taste test】
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
We try five menu recommendations from a clerk at CoCo Ichibanya and almost fall in love
Michelin star-winning ramen can now be bought nationwide in cup noodle form