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Does washing rice in this Japanese pouch really make it more delicious?
- Oona McGee
10 minutes ago - Tweet
We test the Okome Pouch, which uses a patented method to make rice more delicious… and easier to wash.
- Japan
- (clever • COK • cooking • cooking gadgets • Daiso • food • Japan travel • Japanese food • Japanese kitchen gadgets • kitchen • kitchen gadgets • rice • rice washing • SNJO • SoraKitchen)
Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
- Casey Baseel
18 hours ago
![Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/x-gif-3-810024490-17.jpg?w=640 "Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]")
Echizen Seramika shares the techniques for both as part of its cool factory tour.
- Japan
- (ceramics • COK • cool • factories • factory tours • Fukui • Japan travel • kawara • Natsuno Futon • SNJO • tile smashing • tiles • tourism • travel • weird)
Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
- Casey Baseel
22 hours ago
Atsuo fell in love with Atami, and Natsuno fell in love with Atsuo.
- Japan
- (Atami • COK • cute • funny • hot springs • Japan travel • mascot characters • Natsuno Futon • Shizuoka • SNJO • tourism • travel • weird)
TeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
- Casey Baseel
2 days ago
As TeamLab’s fame continues to grow, so too does the size of its art museums.
- Japan
- (art • COK • cool • digital art • Japan travel • museums • Team Lab • TeamLab • technology • tourism • travel)
Tokyo’s Shibuya puts up new posters asking visitors to use recycle boxes properly
- Casey Baseel
3 days ago
Campaign is neighborhood’s latest attempt to keep litter and overtourism in check.
- Japan
- (Japan travel • litter • overtourism • recycling • recycling boxes • Shibuya • tourism • trash • travel • vending machines)
Roaming rubbish bin robot at Shinjuku Station solves the problem of where to put your trash
- Oona McGee
3 days ago
Japanese railway company comes up with a cute solution to one of the biggest problems for overseas tourists.
- Japan
- (cute • garbage • Japan travel • Japanese train station • JR East • rubbish • rubbish bin • shinjuku • Shinjuku Station • tourism • train stations • trash • trash cans • travel)
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
- Casey Baseel
4 days ago
A new way to get your hands on a popular souvenir at Shin Osaka.
- Japan
- (bullet train • food • Japan travel • Osaka • Osaka ikaten • rice crackers • senbei • Shin Osaka • shinkansen • shrimp chips • squid • stations • tourism • trains • travel • vending machines)
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
- Casey Baseel
5 days ago
Tourists’ dance video at Kyoto shrine prompts angry response from Marty Friedman.
- Japan
- (COK • culture • etiquette • Fushimi • Fushimi Inari • Fushimi Inari Taisha • Japan travel • manners • Marty Friedman • Megadeth • overtourism • shrines • temples • tourism • travel)
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
- Oona McGee
5 days ago
Can these new character candidates match up to the charm of the penguin?
- Japan
- (characters • cute • East Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR East • mascot characters • penguins • Suica • Suica card • Suica Penguin • tourism • trains • travel)
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
- Casey Baseel
Sep 7, 2026
Shinjuku has more private lodging rentals than any other part of Japan, but a whole lot of them could be going away as pushback against overtourism continues.
- Japan
- (Airbnb • COK • hotels • Japan travel • minpaku • overtourism • private lodging rentals • shinjuku • short-term rentals • society • tourism • travel)
Join Naked in the Niwa garden: Kyoto Station’s newest spot to craft traditional art
- Elliot Hale
Sep 5, 2026
Workshops offer English instruction in making custom gold leaf bags, weaving bamboo baskets, and crafting samurai armor.
- Japan
- (art • COK • crafts • culture • digital art • ikebana • Japan travel • Japanese traditional crafts • Kyoto • Kyoto Station • naked • odoshi • shikai nami • stations • surihaku • tourism • traditional crafts • travel • workshop • yuzen)
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
- Casey Baseel
Sep 4, 2026
Visitors to 600-year-old temple prohibited from wearing traditional garment following problems caused by those prioritizing cool social media photos over basic manners.
- Japan
- (COK • culture • Gion • Japan travel • kimono • Kyoto • overtourism • Seiraiin • temples • tourism • travel)
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
- Casey Baseel
Sep 3, 2026
Maps and predicated peak color dates to help you plan your autumn journey to see Japan’s natural beauty.
- Japan
- (COK • fall colors • fall leaves • ginkgo trees • icho • Japan travel • kaede • koyo • maples • momiji • nature • outdoors • red leaves • tourism • travel)
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
- Casey Baseel
Sep 2, 2026
A great way to explores off-the-beaten-path Japan this autumn.
- Japan
- (COK • Japan Railways • Japan travel • JR • Rail Pass • tourism • train pass • trains • travel • travel deals)
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
- Casey Baseel
Sep 1, 2026
Pokémon Sleep evolves into a whole new way to help Pokémon Trainers get some quality Zs.
- Japan
- (anime • awesome • cool • crazy • Hokkaido • hotels • Japan travel • manga • Poké Ball • Pokemon • tourism • travel • video games)
Beautiful 785-step Japanese shrine sando stairway walk is one very good reason to visit Kagawa
- Casey Baseel
Aug 31, 2026
A sweaty, but unforgettable, visit to Kompirasan.
- Japan
- (beautiful • COK • cool • hiking • Japan travel • Kagawa • Kompirasan • Kotohira • Kotohiragu • Mountains • outdoors • Shikoku • shrine • SNJO • temples • tourism • travel)
This Japanese 7-Eleven has the most expensive drinks, and item, we’ve even seen at the chain
- Casey Baseel
Aug 29, 2026
But the startlingly pricy item isn’t something that you can eat or drink.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • 7-Eleven Japan • alcohol • art • COK • convenience stores • crazy • drinks • expensive • Japan travel • Japanese convenience stores • Niseko • SNJO • tourism • travel • weird)
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
- Oona McGee
Aug 29, 2026
J-pop superstar brings new meaning to A Room of One’s Own on Japan’s busiest bullet train.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Central Japan Railway Company • commercial • Hikaru Utada • Intentions • J-Pop • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • luxury trains • luxury travel • music • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel)
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport opens new Terminal 1 North Satellite next month
- Casey Baseel
Aug 28, 2026
Terminal 1 gets its first major expansion since it opened 33 years ago.
- Japan
- (Air travel • airplanes • airports • Haneda • Haneda Airport • Japan travel • tourism • travel)
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
- Casey Baseel
Aug 27, 2026
End of the line for JR East’s adorable mascot for its revolutionary train fare payment system.
- Japan
- (cute • East Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR East • mascot characters • penguins • Suica • Suica card • Suica Penguin • tourism • trains • travel)
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Recent Posts
- Does washing rice in this Japanese pouch really make it more delicious?
- Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
- 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
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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
Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
Japanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
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]
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
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
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
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]
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
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
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
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?
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