winter
Grab your coat and scarf, we’re headed out to see the best cold-weather scenery east Japan has to offer!
Plus, another traditional festival involves giving a very icy bath to recently wedded grooms.
With a new cake and hot apple cider joining the festivities, this is shaping up to be a delicious holiday season.
Japan-exclusive Starbucks drink will transport you to Kyoto… then Seattle, if you’re lucky.
Sample some of the best regional variations of nabe and sake in a Showa-retro space at this event perfect for the middle of winter.
Visitors to Osaka over the winter should book this special service to experience the warmth and coziness of the Japanese kotatsu with stunning views.
The kotatsu was developed under the supervision of a veterinarian and uses special Heat Loop technology to trap heat.
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Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Converse Japan releases green tea cup sneakers so you can wear your love for sushi on your feet
Starbucks Japan unveils new Chilled Cup drinks for autumn
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Weekly
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
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Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
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Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
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Yearly
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]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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】
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Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
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Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
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Tokyo’s red-light district cafe lets you dine inside a real 1960s cabaret
Uniqlo’s sister brand will be waiting with Pokémon sweaters and parkas this fall [Pics]
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Starbucks Japan proves Pumpkin Spice is NOT dead, with a new take for autumn
A friendly reminder not to accidentally get squid sperm in your mouth, it hurts
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Studio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
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Shinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
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