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Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
- Oona McGee
Mar 2, 2026 - Tweet
Move aside, Uncle Rikuro – Aunt Wanda is here to steal your fluffy souffle crown, without the raisins.
- Japan
- (Aunt Wanda • cakes • Cheesecake • cheesecakes • COK • dessert • Japanese cheesecake • Japanese sweets • Kansai • Okinawa • Osaka • SNJO • sweet • sweets • Uncle Rikuro • Viral Japanese cheesecake)
Why you shouldn’t call this food “Hiroshimayaki” if you’re talking to people from Hiroshima
- Casey Baseel
Dec 23, 2025
There are two main types of okonomiyaki, but people in Hiroshima don’t like one of the names the rest of the country has for theirs.
- Japan
- (COK • culture • food • Hiroshima • Japanese language • Kansai • linguistics • okonomiyaki • Osaka • SNJO)
Mr. Sato taste tests not only the original takoyaki, but its predecessor, radioyaki, in Osaka
- Krista Rogers
Oct 15, 2025
Our ace reporter learns that the fried balls of octopus in Kansai are not quite what he expected.
Fatal flop or fun? What is the 2025 World Expo in Osaka really like?
- Master Blaster
May 4, 2025
Let’s compare what’s being said on the Internet to what’s really going on.
- Japan
- (2025 Osaka World Expo • attendance • events • Grand Ring • Kansai • Osaka • prices • shopping)
Years of east-west Japan rivalry decided as McDonald’s officially refers to itself as “Makudo”
- Master Blaster
Mar 13, 2025
I feel so vindicated.
- Japan
- (culture • fast food • Hatsune Miku • Kansai • Kanto • language • Makku • Makudo • McDonald's • nicknames)
Pepsi Zero Peach is being released in one area of Japan
- Oona McGee
Feb 23, 2025
An exclusive limited-edition flavour for a very special event.
- Japan
- (2025 Osaka World Expo • COK • Cola • drinks • japanese drinks • Kansai • limited edition • Limited edition flavours • marketing • Osaka • pepsi • soft drinks • World Expo)
Japanese train station vending machine has the best souvenirs for rail otaku
- Oona McGee
Dec 22, 2024
A chance encounter leads to a deeper love for Japanese trains.
- Japan
- (COK • cool • Japanese train stations • Japanese vending machines • Kansai • Kintetsu • Kintetsu Railway • Osaka • SNJO • train stations • trains • vending machines)
Kansai-exclusive takoyaki Cup Noodle lives up to half of the expectations its name produces
- Casey Baseel
Aug 26, 2024
Thankfully it’s the most important half.
- Japan
- (COK • Cup Noodle • cup ramen • food • instant noodles • Instant Ramen • Kansai • Nissin • Noodles • Osaka • ramen • SNJO • takoyaki • taste test • weird)
Four words that mean something very different in east Japan and Kyoto
- Casey Baseel
Jun 10, 2024
“Beating up tea” and college classes and “fixing” things that aren’t broken.
- Japan
- (COK • funny • Japanese language • Kansai • Kansai dialect • Kansai-ben • Kyoto • linguistics • SNJO • Udonko)
Our Tokyo reporter sees how Osaka is getting ready for the 2025 Expo
- Master Blaster
Dec 11, 2023
“It’s the Expo alright.”
- Japan
- (2025 Osaka World Expo • events • Kansai • Myaku-Myaku • Osaka • Osaka Station • shopping • travel)
Pizza Hut campaigns to become an Osakan konamon food
- Master Blaster
Oct 27, 2023
Just because it is, doesn’t mean it is.
We try the new Japanese trauma curries in Japan
- Oona McGee
Oct 2, 2023
Will this turn out to be a traumatic experience?
- Japan
- (cafeteria • curry • food • Kansai • Kintetsu Curry • Kintetsu Railway • Nabari Station • retort curry)
Kintetsu Curry boasts “ordinary deliciousness” but can it really deliver an average taste?
- Master Blaster
Aug 30, 2023
Abnormally normal.
- Japan
- (cafeteria • curry • food • Kansai • Kintetsu Curry • Kintetsu Railway • Nabari Station • retort curry)
2025 Osaka World Expo aims to be first in the world to allow dogs, possibly cats too
- Master Blaster
Aug 3, 2023
These expos are going to the dogs.
- Japan
- (2025 Osaka World Expo • cats • dogs • events • Ichiro Matsui • Kansai • Osaka • pets • World Expo)
Lawson selling a pastry based on a pastry based on a uniquely Osakan pastry
- Master Blaster
Dec 22, 2022
Good bakers copy, great bakers steal.
- Japan
- (baked goods • convenience stores • food • junk food • Kansai • Kobeya • Lawson • melonpan • Osaka • regional tastes • Sanmi • Yonmi)
Why do seats at some Japanese station platforms face away from the trains?
- Oona McGee
Dec 20, 2022
Unusual design in Kansai is a clever example of thoughtful customer service, designed specifically with the user in mind.
- Japan
- (customer service • Japanese train stations • JR West • Kansai • Osaka • P.K. Sanjun • SNJO • train platform • train stations • trains • unusual • UX • UX design • West Japan Railway)
We took a chance on a die-roll ticket to Amarube and had a nice little adventure
- Dale Roll
Oct 14, 2022
If you’re also thinking of going to this small railway town in Hyogo Prefecture, here are some tips!
- Japan
- (Amarube • Hyogo • Japan travel • K. Masami • Kansai • landscape • railways • seaside • sightseeing • train otaku • trains • travel)
World’s first Takoyaki Guitar created in Japan, features a gas grill and octopus balls
- Oona McGee
Aug 12, 2022
The best-sounding takoyaki you’ll ever hear.
- Japan
- (cool • electric guitar • food • guitar • instruments • Iwatani • Japanese food • Kansai • music • Osaka • Sae Banjoya • takoyaki • takoyaki guitar • weird • Yamano Music)
Takoyaki…inarizushi? New fusion food boggles the mind in Japan
- Oona McGee
Jul 29, 2022
Japanese food breaks out of the mould for a new adventure in flavour.
- Japan
- (COK • cool • Daimaru Department Store • food • fusion food • inarizushi • Japanese food • Kansai • Kyoto • Mameda • Osaka • review • SNJO • sushi • takoyaki • taste test • weird)
Is roughly half of Japan preconditioned to hate mint chocolate sweets?
- Casey Baseel
Jun 23, 2022
Researcher thinks that the traditions of one Japan’s biggest foodie centers don’t mesh with the summertime sweets flavor.
- Japan
- (choco mint • COK • food • ice cream • Kansai • mint chocolate • Osaka • survey • sweets)
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Recent Posts
- Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
- This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
- Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
- Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
- Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
Weekly
- Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises- Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Starbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia- 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?- Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
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
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
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- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
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
This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
Starbucks Japan invites us to par-tea with its new Earl Gray Frappuccino [Taste test]
This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
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