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Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
- Oona McGee
Jul 15, 2026 - Tweet
Iconic instant ramen brand now has a cold-water-only version designed to beat the heat.
- Japan
- (COK • cold noodles • cool • Cup Noodle • cup noodles • food • hiyashi chuka • HIyashi Cup Noodle • hiyashi ramen • instant noodles • Instant Ramen • instant rice • kimchi • news • Nissin • Noodles • Pot Noodles • ramen • summer)
Survey shows foreigners’ desire to work in Japan long-term dropping, but that’s not the whole story
- Casey Baseel
Jul 11, 2026
Annual study finds sharp decline in interest among foreign residents to stick around for the long haul, but it’s probably leaving out some differing voices.
- Japan
- (COK • foreigners in Japan • internationalism • Living in Japan • society • survey • working in Japan)
Set sail on top of a giant pirate ship to watch Japan’s summer fireworks
- Elliot Hale
Jul 10, 2026
Why fight the landlubbers on shore for a decent view when you can take to the waters of Lake Ashi for a crowd-free festival?
- Japan
- (boats • COK • fireworks • fireworks festivals • Hakone • Japan travel • Kanagawa • Lake Ashi • Lake Ashinoko • pirate boat • pirate ship • summer festivals • tourism • travel)
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
- Master Blaster
Jul 9, 2026
Government probably always just assumed common sense was enough.
- Japan
- (chicken • COK • food • food poisoning • Guillian-Barré • health • Japanese food • Kagoshima • raw meat • regulations • safety • tataki • wellness)
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
- Casey Baseel
Jul 8, 2026
A Night in the Valley of Witches makes its screening debut, and Hayao Miyazaki’s first-ever art exhibition created for Ghibli’s theme park, three years in the making, opens too.
- Japan
- (Amusement Parks • anime • art • COK • Goro Miyazaki • Hayao Miyazaki • manga • Studio Ghibli • theme parks)
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
- Casey Baseel
Jul 8, 2026
Ceremony marks official start of climbing season for this six-step summit trail.
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
- Krista Rogers
Jul 8, 2026
The Nakano family opens a second rice paddy art site this year and shares more about the process that goes into their annual labor of love.
- Japan
- (art • beautiful • COK • cool • Nasushiobara • nature • process • rice • rice field • rice paddy • Tochigi Prefecture • viewing)
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
- Casey Baseel
Jul 8, 2026
Following suspiciously swift sell-out of Yoshinoya’s Dragon Quest Slime bowls, new policy means that everyone who wants one can buy one at the regular price.
- Japan
- (beef bowls • COK • cool • cute • Dragon Quest • Dragon Quest Slime • dragon quest walk • food • gyudon • interior • restaurants • scalpers • slime • SNO • Square Enix • tableware • video games • Yoshinoya)
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
- Casey Baseel
Jul 7, 2026
Vietnam’s star sandwich reaches a new milestone on the road to mainstream popularity in Japan.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • 7-Eleven Japan • banh mi • COK • convenience stores • food • Japanese convenience stores • sandwiches • SNO)
Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]
- Casey Baseel
Jul 7, 2026
Nintendo’s big-appetite video game star is ready to get summer started.
- Japan
- (cafes • COK • cute • food • Kirby • Kirby Café • nintendo • restaurants • sweets • themed cafes • themed restaurants • video games)
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
- Casey Baseel
Jul 6, 2026
Nicknack is the culmination of layers upon layers of branding quasi-copying, and also home to some very unusual Pikachus.
- Japan, S Asia
- (bootleg • COK • copy • funny • knockoffs • Meiso • Miniso • Pikachu • Pokemon • Pokémon card game • pokemon cards • SNJO • Sri Lanka • Uniqlo • weird)
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
- Casey Baseel
Jul 5, 2026
Dragon Quest Slimes appear at Yoshinoya, and the restaurant is trying to make sure they go home with actual fans.
- Japan
- (beef bowls • COK • cool • cute • Dragon Quest • Dragon Quest Slime • dragon quest walk • figures • food • gyudon • restaurants • slime • SNO • Square Enix • toys • video games • Yoshinoya)
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
- Casey Baseel
Jul 2, 2026
As of July, it now costs more both to enter and leave Japan.
- Japan
- (COK • departure tax • Japan travel • overtourism • society • tourism • travel)
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
- Elliot Hale
Jul 2, 2026
Conquer Japan’s tallest mountain in style with a lineup born from the restoration of an ancient pilgrimage path.
- Japan
- (COK • Fujimichi • Fujiyoshida • hiking • hiking gear • hiking Mt. Fuji • Mt Fuji hiking • Mt. Fuji • Mt. Fuji hiking trails • Mt. Fuji Re-Style Project • Salomon • Yamanashi • Yoshidaguchi Trail)
Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
- Casey Baseel
Jul 1, 2026
Mister Donut saw all the Mocchurin that it had made, and they were very good…too good, in fact.
Japan’s Pokémon mailboxes saved from removal with last-minute extension on final day
- Casey Baseel
Jul 1, 2026
Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup get new leases on life in Yokohama, and it’s thanks to fans.
- Japan
- (anime • awesome • COK • cool • cute • Eevee • mailbox • manga • Pikachu • Piplup • Pokemon • post office • travel • video games • Yokohama)
We try out the joys of Japan’s kakuuchi wine vending machine
- Casey Baseel
Jun 30, 2026
A new take on a fading part of Japanese drinking culture.
- Japan
- (Aeon Liquor • Aeon Mall • alcohol • COK • drinks • kaku-uchi • kakuuchi • SNJO • vending machines • wine)
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
- Casey Baseel
Jun 30, 2026
With barley tea going into glasses as the weather heats up, we find out what goes into making barley tea.
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
- Krista Rogers
Jun 29, 2026
Did the aftermath of Japan’s final match in the World Cup group stage result in order or chaos at one of Tokyo’s biggest gathering spots?
- Japan
- (celebration • COK • football • national team • Shibuya • Shibuya Scramble • SNJO • soccer • Tokyo • World Cup)
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
- Casey Baseel
Jun 29, 2026
Tacos and spaghetti have earned love around the world, but will their meeting in Japan be a tragedy?
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Recent Posts
- 7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
- Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
- Japanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
- Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
- Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
Japanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
TeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
Weekly
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan- Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals- Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
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
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
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
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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RECOMMENDED STORIES
TeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
Ghibli store Donguri Kyowakoku now has special frames to protect your anime art Paper Theater kits
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
New Gundam megastore announced for one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist neighborhoods
Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
Don Quijote ear cleaner sucks, and was criticised by customers, but is the new version any better?
Join Naked in the Niwa garden: Kyoto Station’s newest spot to craft traditional art
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