Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Wat Rong Khun
Approaching Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai’s so-called White Temple, is a surreal experience. It looks like a massive sculpture of ice and snow shimmering through Thailand’s tropical heat. But that effect barely scratches the surface of the weird at this Buddhist wat, where Doraemon hangs out with the Buddha, bushes are decorated with the decapitated heads of Freddie Kruger and Pinhead, and the penalty for smoking is eternal damnation.
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
Crane games in Japanese convenience stores getting more and more popular, especially with tourists
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
A look inside the “Ghost Tower” of Bangkok, Thailand’s abandoned skyscraper
Japanese supercomputer finds the reason some baseball pitches can suddenly drop near home plate
Brand-new Cardcaptor Sakura Cafe opens in Tokyo this week, with Kero-chan calling the shots
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo skyJapan’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’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 tourismThe 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?
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 homeJapan’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
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
A look inside the “Ghost Tower” of Bangkok, Thailand’s abandoned skyscraper
Japanese supercomputer finds the reason some baseball pitches can suddenly drop near home plate
Brand-new Cardcaptor Sakura Cafe opens in Tokyo this week, with Kero-chan calling the shots
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 1
Japanese schoolkids to be able to carry their books in official Harry Potter randoseru backpacks
Island-hopping by rental bike on Japan’s awesome Shimanami Kaido cycling road
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Edo-period ukiyoe woodblock prints of animals and mythical beasts now available for free online