Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Vita
We’re already well into the school summer holidays here in Japan, and Sony is taking the opportunity to entice younger gamers over to its decidedly more grown-up portable console, the PlayStation Vita. Join us after the jump for a closer look at these cheeky ads from Sony’s summer campaign.
We’re already thoroughly excited about the launch of Sony’s newest home console, the PlayStation 4, but news reaching us today suggesting that the Japanese electronics giant has yet another trick up its sleeve has set us buzzing anew.
Since the PS4’s grand unveiling earlier this year, Sony has been keen to push the fact that the console will be fully integrated with its portable platform, PlayStation Vita, ensuring that all developers make their PS4 games fully playable remotely via Vita. It would seem, though, that rather than just a cool extra feature, Sony is planning to make PS4/Vita crossplay a cornerstone of the PS4 experience, with industry sources suggesting that a special PS4/Vita bundle will be made available for US$500 by the end of the year.
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
New MOS Burgers are 100% Beef, Still 0% MossJapan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for successJapan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visaPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
New MOS Burgers are 100% Beef, Still 0% Moss
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at 7-Eleven?
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
I had no idea you could win crane game prizes in Japan the way my friend won this Dragon Quest Slime
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success