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Bilingual illustrated ninja guide stealthily drops courtesy of a top ninja researcher in Japan
- Krista Rogers
Oct 14, 2026 - Tweet
A new visual guide for the ninja enthusiast in your life sheds light on the myth and fact behind Japan’s historical agents of infiltration.
- Japan
- (bilingual • book • COK • cool • culture • English • guide • history • illustrated • Natsume-sha • new • Ninja • Yamada • Yuji)
Kyoto announces two-tier admission price plan for Nijo Castle, non-residents would pay twice as much
- Casey Baseel
Oct 2, 2026
First-of-its-kind system for Kyoto would raise maintenance funding and fight overtourism, proponents say, but will it really reduce crowd sizes?
- Japan
- (castles • history • Japan travel • Kyoto • Nijo Castle • Ninomaru Palace • overtourism • society • tourism • travel • two-tier pricing)
Converse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
- Casey Baseel
Sep 23, 2026
An all-star of the Edo period art world graces a new canvas.
- Japan
- (All Stars • art • Converse • Converse All-Stars • Converse Japan • culture • history • Iyo Jakuchu • painting • shoes • sneakers)
Hatsune Miku/Hokusai exhibition in Tokyo lets you make your own Miku woodblock print
- Casey Baseel
Sep 18, 2026
Printing Museum hosts mini exhibition for crossover of virtual idol and ukiyo-e art.
- Japan
- (art • culture • exhibitions • Hatsune Miku • history • hokusai • Katsushika Hokusai • museums • ukiyo-e • virtual idols • vocaloids • woodblock prints)
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
- Casey Baseel
Sep 11, 2026
The Tensho Iga War resumes as a way to actively celebrate the history of two ninja towns.
- Japan
- (awesome • COK • cool • history • Iga • Iga ninja • koga ninja • koka • Koka ninja • Ninja • Shinobi Youchi)
Kyoto’s Meiji-era mansion opens a private tearoom with stained glass for just one day
- Elliot Hale
Aug 21, 2026
A rare East-meets-West tea ceremony in a seldom seen tearoom.
- Japan
- (art • beautiful • Chorakuan • COK • culture • history • hotels • Japan travel • Kyoto • tea • tea ceremony • tearoom • teicha • tourism • travel)
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
- Oona McGee
Aug 15, 2026
Step back in time on Hiroshima’s “Peace Loop 653”, a special tour that links passengers to the city’s past and present.
- Japan
- (atomic bomb • atomic bombing • Hiroshima • Hiroshima Peace Park • history • tourism • tours • trams • transport • video)
Shinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
- Casey Baseel
Aug 13, 2026
No more cosplaying on shrine grounds, please, says Yasukuni.
- Japan
- (cosplay • cosplayers • culture • history • shinto • shrines • World War II • Yasukuni Shrine)
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
- Oona McGee
Aug 1, 2026
Sip on Starbucks in a setting once linked to infectious diseases.
- Japan
- (architecture • artists • cafes • coffee • cool • culture • history • Japan travel • Nagahama Quarantine Station • new openings • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • stores • Tangible Cultural Property • tourism • travel • Umi no Koen • Yokohama)
Katana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims
- Casey Baseel
Jul 30, 2026
The sword of the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi is being called into action once again in a touching story of repaying kindness.
- Japan
- (culture • disaster • Hijikata Toshizo • history • Katana • Kumamoto • kumamoto earthquake • moving • museums • shinsengumi • swords • touching)
“Stab-kill for two deaths” and other fun Japanese baseball terms
- Master Blaster
Jul 19, 2026
And it’s one, two, three strikes you’re dead at the old ball game!
- Japan
- (baseball • Chuman Kanae • history • jargon • language • Masaoka Shiki • sports)
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
- Casey Baseel
Jul 16, 2026
Fujin and Raijin take a break and leave divine duties up to the Eva units.
- Japan
- (anime • culture • Evangelion • Fujin • Fujin Raijin • history • manga • Raijin • ukiyo-eart • Wind God and Thunder God)
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
- Oona McGee
Jul 1, 2026
One-of-a-kind accommodation includes former prison cells that have been transformed into guest rooms.
- Japan
- (accommodation • crime • history • Hoshino Resorts • hotel • hotels • Japanese hotel • Luxury • Nara • Nara Juvenile Prison • Nara Prison • prison • travel • unique stays • unusual accommodation • unusual stays • weird)
“Alcohol is the best medicine” removed from Japanese government website
- Master Blaster
Jun 24, 2026
A few beers a day keeps the doctor away, because you forgot your appointment.
- Japan
- (alcohol • COK • crazy • culture • funny • government • health • history • National Tax Agency • sake • weird • wellness)
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
- Casey Baseel
May 22, 2026
Sacred fire saved from non-sacred fire on Miyajima.
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
- Oona McGee
May 4, 2026
Cafe in Japan uses a recipe from an old document to recreate a historic brew.
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
- Casey Baseel
Apr 21, 2026
Who’d have guessed there was a centuries-old snack shop too just a quick stroll away from one of downtown’s busiest rail hubs?
- Japan
- (beautiful • COK • cool • culture • gingko • gingko trees • history • icho • Ikebukuro • SNJO • temples.shrines • Tokyo • urban exploring • walking courses • Zoshigaya)
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
- Casey Baseel
Apr 20, 2026
The atmosphere is as elegant as the cuisine at this amazing restaurant.
- Japan
- (afternoon tea • architecture • awesome • beautiful • COK • cool • culture • food • history • oyashiki • restaurants • SNJO • yashiki)
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
Feb 25, 2026
Local legend Sakamoto Ryoma was all about modernizing Japan.
- Japan
- (airports • COK • cool • culture • history • Japan travel • kochi • Kochi Prefecture • Sakamoto Ryoma • samurai • Shikoku • SNJO • tourism • travel)
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
- Elliot Hale
Jan 31, 2026
From ghostly processions to playful monsters, this exhibition shows off the charm of Japan’s folklore with modern visual technology.
- Japan
- (3-D art • art • art exhibition • beautiful • COK • cool • culture • digital art • digital art exhibiton • exhibition • history • Hitohata • Immersive Museum • museums • Tokyo • ukiyo-e • yokai • Yokai Immersive Experience)
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Recent Posts
- Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
- Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers
- America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
- Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
- Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers
Pokémon card game’s expansion features art from Fist of the North Star creator
New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Amazing Japanese yogurt spoon scoops up every last drop of dairy effortlessly
Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
Japanese hoodie for cat-loving gamers will keep you and your feline friend warm and fuzzy [Pics]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon hits 1 billion views on YouTube and he’s still not quite sure why
Weekly
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths
Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes- New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?- Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
Amazing Japanese yogurt spoon scoops up every last drop of dairy effortlessly
Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
Japanese hoodie for cat-loving gamers will keep you and your feline friend warm and fuzzy [Pics]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon hits 1 billion views on YouTube and he’s still not quite sure why
Katsuya takes perhaps a little too much liberty with its take on a Niigata soul food
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths
Restaurant opens in Japan with all-dementia waitresses, serves up ramen, awareness, and kindness
Cinnabon gets into the Japanese spirit with new Wagokorobon treats
Hello Kitty ready to keep you company in the bathroom with new dessert-aroma Sanrio toilet paper
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