SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
rice ball
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
- Oona McGee
Sep 12, 2026 - Tweet
Carry your lunch like a magical delivery from the famous anime movie.
- Japan
- (anime • bento • cute • Donguri Kyowakoku • Ghibli • Hayao Miyazaki • Ki&Ki • Kiki's Delivery Service • lunch bags • manga • onigiri • picnic • picnic set • picnics • rice ball • rice balls • Studio Ghibli)
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
- Elliot Hale
May 21, 2026
As well as a double-sized cheesecake worth fighting battles over.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • 7-Eleven Japan • beef bowl • Cheesecake • COK • convenience store finds • convenience store food • convenience stores • cool • food • gyudon • hiyashi soba • Japanese convenience stores • onigiri • P.K. Sanjun • rice ball • SNJO • soba • tororo)
Grow your own balcony rice balls with this new how-to book
- Elliot Hale
Jun 6, 2025
With 30 seeds and 180 days of patience, you too can also eat rice from a bucket.
- Japan
- (agriculture • book • books • bucket rice • COK • farming • food • gardening • rice • rice ball • rice farming)
7-Eleven Japan teams up with gourmet Mochizuki-san manga for a line of hefty, bingeable foods
- Krista Rogers
Feb 24, 2025
It’s a collaboration that seemed destined to happen, but will the real deal meet the high expectations–and high calories–of the popular manga?
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • Ahiruneko • bento • binge-eating • campaign • COK • convenience store • dokagui • Dokagui Daisuki • konbini • manga • Mochizuki-san • rice ball • SNJO)
Top Japanese instant noodle maker steps up its rice ball game 【Taste test】
- Elliot Hale
Dec 5, 2024
Apparently, instant noodles are clearly not instant enough for Nissin.
- Japan
- (COK • convenience store food • Familymart • food • instant noodles • kakiage soba • kitsune udon • musubi • Natsuki Gojo • Nissin • Nissin Donbei • onigiri • rice ball • SNJO • taste test)
Onigiri Bread from Japanese convenience store chain changes everything we know about rice balls
- Oona McGee
Sep 28, 2023
And that’s not all — there’s a curry bread rice cake coming too.
- Japan
- (combini • convenience store food • convenience stores • cool • curry bread • food • karepan • konbini • Lawson Store 100 • Lunch Pack • new • onigiri • rice ball • rice balls • sweets • weird • yakisoba • yakisoba bread • yakisoba sandwich)
Seven new rice ball flavors, including some Nissin collabs, coming to Family Mart this spring
- Dale Roll
Mar 26, 2023
Some are even out now!
- Japan
- (Family mart • Nissin • Nissin Donbei • omusubi • onigiri • rice ball • yakisoba • Yakisoba U.F.O.)
7-Eleven’s new Ebiten tempura shrimp rice ball is premium in both taste AND cost
- Katie Pask
Feb 1, 2023
7-Eleven’s lastest onigiri creation is our reporter’s new favourite rice ball.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • Ahiruneko • fast food • food • onigiri • rice ball • SNJO • taste test • tempura • tempura shrimp • tenmusu)
The Big Bomb Onigiri Japanese rice ball helps us conquer mountain race but conquers us in the end
- Katie Pask
Sep 30, 2022
Our reporter completes a challenging race only to face a tougher challenge — a giant rice ball!
- Japan
- (big food • crazy • food • koshihikari • Masanuki Sunakoma • onigiri • rice • rice ball • rice balls • SNJO • takeout • taste test)
Say hello to the Big Bomb Onigiri, a beast of a Japanese rice ball
- Oona McGee
Aug 1, 2022
Famous rice-producing region goes big with a huge offering to attract customers.
- Japan
- (big food • COK • crazy • food • koshihikari • Niigata • onigiri • rice • rice ball • rice balls • SNJO • takeout • taste test • Tokyo)
Studio Ghibli introduces new character “My Neighbour Rice Ball” as part of ad campaign
- Oona McGee
Sep 15, 2016
The adorable new character appears in a charming story told over several new video clips.
Rice balls, sushi and ramen: Japanese women share what they’d eat for their last meal
- Scott R Dixon
Mar 10, 2015
We all have our favorite foods, but have you ever thought about what you would choose to eat if you knew that would be your last meal? Would you want an exotic delicacy or would you rather have a familiar taste before you shuffle off this mortal coil?
A Japanese website recently polled a group of women to ask them what they would order for their last meal and we’ve got the results below the break.
Survey ranks convenience store rice balls – salmon, sea-dwelling poultry & plants steal the show
- Philip Kendall
Dec 9, 2014
Known to many in the English-speaking world simply as rice balls, onigiri are as much a part of daily life in Japan as sandwiches are in the West. Although they’re often eaten as snacks or included along with a handful of other items as a packed lunch, for many Japanese onigiri are the ultimate comfort food; something that, no matter which part of the country they find themselves in, they can easily make or pick up from a convenience store.
Of course, store-bought onigiri can never come close to those pressed into shape by someone who knows their way around a rice cooker, but they always hit the spot nevertheless, and hundreds of thousands of these little lumps of savoury goodness are eaten every single day. But what are Japan’s most loved convenience store rice balls? And do tastes vary from chain to chain? Well, according to a recent survey, there are three onigiri fillings that Japan is especially fond of.
American rice ball restaurant takes liberties with classic Japanese snack
- Mike
Jul 7, 2014
The humble onigiri rice ball is the traditional Japanese answer to the sub sandwich: it’s a no-frills, on-the-go snack that balances carbs and protein and doesn’t require utensils. And just like subs, onigiri come stuffed with a huge variety of fillings, from salmon flakes to meatballs, seaweed to shrimp tempura.
And, just as “healthy” American sub sandwich chain Subway is making huge headway in Japan recently, onigiri are apparently making the journey the opposite way to American shores… But something has definitely gotten lost in translation.
The Super Rice Ball – get four flavors in one ball!
- Kay
May 2, 2012
If you’ve lived in Japan, you know that we Japanese love our rice balls, or omusubi as they’re called in Japanese. At every convenience store in Japan, you can find rice balls in every flavor imaginable, from the standard grilled salmon flake omusubi to more quirky flavors like tempura shrimp or bacon and cheese. But the variety can sometimes make it difficult to choose a flavor from all the options. Well now, you won’t have to settle for just one flavor. Read More
-
Recent Posts
- This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
- Starbucks Japan invites us to par-tea with its new Earl Gray Frappuccino [Taste test]
- Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
- Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
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
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Shoplifting prevention guard arrested for shoplifting boot from store he was guarding
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
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
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Weekly
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
One simple unexpected recipe swap will make your Japanese-style omelets extra fluffy and juicy
Fishing information website for Susaki, Japan, hit by data leak, all 3 users affected
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?
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
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
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
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
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
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Starbucks Japan invites us to par-tea with its new Earl Gray Frappuccino [Taste test]
Can Japan’s Self-Defense Forces legally open fire on a zombie horde?
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Hello Kitty cuts ties with hit Japanese spy drama Vivant over torture scenes
Guile cosplay goes with everyone for Halloween at SoraNews24 HQ [Photos]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (847) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (345) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,073) India (11) Internet (2,198) Italy (13) Japan (34,541) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (18) Uncategorized (19) USA (978) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month November 2026 (10) October 2026 (144) September 2026 (156) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (394) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |


