Venom Extraction Room’s Snake Meet and Greet is just the start of the weird fun at this facility hidden in the mountains of east Japan.
zoo
A 20-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture has been arrested for posting a picture of a lion on Twitter and claiming it was on the loose in Kumamoto.
Ice cream taster; sleep research participant; full-time sperm donor. There are few jobs that could ever be described as truly enjoyable, but playing with an adorable panda cub is probably one of them.
Two Chinese panda cubs giggle and coo as a zoo staff member cuddles and bathes them with a washcloth.
Giraffes are some of the most awesome animals on the planet, if you ask us. With their long necks, not-quite-horse-not-quite-cow-like faces and beautiful long eyelashes, they’re the sort of creature you’d expect to find in the pages of a Walt Disney sketchbook after the artist “accidentally” ingested a few magic mushrooms. And yet there they are, as real as any of us, and have existed for thousands upon thousands of years.
But one thing that some might not believe is real is the cry of a giraffe. Think about it: have you ever heard the sounds a giraffe makes? Well, we suppose you may have, but many have not, in Japan or otherwise. And that’s why this video of a baby giraffe calling out has attracted so much attention online.
If you’ve never heard a giraffe’s voice, you’ll want to check this out!
Late last week, we told you about an event being held by Tokuyama Zoo this summer: the Cockroach Fest. One of the attractions listed was the horrific sounding “cockroach encounter,” but we didn’t have any details about just what kind of encounter it was. Being a naturally curious bunch with a masochistic streak a mile wide, we decided to dispatch a reporter to find out.
If you’re an animal lover, you can probably find something to like in even mother nature’s less visually appealing species. Slightly defective cats are basically the kings of the internet, after all. But we were shocked to find that some of Japan’s Twitter users have been mercilessly mocking a certain species of black bear for being “super creepy and gross.” C’mon, guys, it’s a bear! Bears are cute! Or at least, that’s what we thought until we saw the pictures…it turns out that there’s a certain kind of bear out there that’s just, well, kind of a major dork.
Don’t believe us? Check out this gallery of awkwardness! It’s un-bear-able!




















Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s 2026 popularity poll results are in and the champion flavor is crowned
Choc mint ice cream season hits Japan with a spectacular drinkable ice cream from Tully’s
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s 2026 popularity poll results are in and the champion flavor is crowned
Choc mint ice cream season hits Japan with a spectacular drinkable ice cream from Tully’s
7-Eleven Japan now sells canned water, but does funky packaging mean funky flavor?[Taste test]
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Shochu maker on remote Japanese island plays music as its spirits age, flavor varies by genre
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Is the two-hour wait for Tokyo’s Yokota Gaijin Burger worth it?【Taste test】
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores