SoraNews24 —Japan News—

Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.

RocketNews24 Japanese

• Japan
• China
• Korea
• North Korea
• Taiwan
• USA
• Internet

Featured

• Weird
• Studio Ghibli
• Jobs

shopping

Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo

• Oona McGee
  Aug 28, 2026
• Tweet

We visit Hobonichi HQ in Tokyo to give you the highlights and our must-buy recommendations for next year’s range.

Read More

• Japan
• (COK • cute • diaries • diary • Hello Kitty • Hiroko Kubota • Hobonichi • Hobonichi Techo • Japanese stationery • Moomin • mother • notebook • notebooks • One Piece • Puppet Sunsun • shopping • SNO • stamps • stationery • Suica Penguin)

Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture

• Krista Rogers
  Apr 9, 2026

The unexpectedly cutest part of shopping at Kochi’s Thursday Market was seeing some fellow shoppers of the very small variety in action. 

Read More

• Japan
• (COK • educational • elementary school • field trip • Kochi Prefecture • life skills • preschool • shopping • SNJO • Thursday Market)

Japanese masturbatory aid and insect repellent companies collab on a new product

• Master Blaster
  Mar 30, 2026

A stroke of genius?

Read More

• Japan
• (collaborations • Earth • insect repellent • shopping • strange • Tenga)

Japan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper

• Master Blaster
  Mar 26, 2026

Just take a beat and really think about it calmly.

Read More

• Japan
• (1973 • economy • Iran • Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry • oil crisis • oil shock • panic buying • shopping • toilet paper • way)

How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?

• Master Blaster
  Mar 20, 2026

Some things have an incalculable value.

Read More

• Japan
• (Amazon Japan • Amazon lowest-rated • calculators • COK • foreign currency • funny • Masanuki Sunakoma • shopping • SNJO • technology • traveling • weird)

Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan

• Oona McGee
  Mar 6, 2026

Channel the cool confidence of a Ghibli character with a real-world bag…that comes with a giant price tag.

Read More

• Japan
• (anime • backpacks • bags • cool • fashion • GBL • Ghibli • Hayao Miyazaki • Kiki's Delivery Service • manga • movies • shop • shopping • Studio Ghibli • Ursula)

The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026

• Oona McGee
  Mar 2, 2026

It’s not too late to get organised with One Piece, Tomie, Mother, and Tamagotchi at your fingertips.

Read More

• Japan
• (COK • cute • diaries • diary • Frog and Toad • Hiroko Kubota • Hobonichi • Hobonichi Techo • Japanese stationery • Junji Ito • Moomin • Mother 2 • notebook • notebooks • One Piece • shopping • SNJO • stamps • stationery • Super Famicom • Tamagotchi • Tomie)

Can we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?

• Master Blaster
  Feb 28, 2026

Hello Ohtani.

Read More

• Japan
• (100-yen stores • baseball • cosplay • Daiso • DIY • fashion • Go Hatori • Shimamura • Shohei Ohtani • shopping • sports • WBC)

Japan’s got a subscription service for pillows with or without plastic tubes inside

• Master Blaster
  Jan 30, 2026

Why own a comfy pillow when you can lease one?

Read More

• Japan
• (comfort • health • pillows • plastic • shopping • sleeping • subscription services • The Pillow)

If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out

• Master Blaster
  Jan 27, 2026

We found one antenna that gets a ten, uh…

Read More

• Japan
• (antenna shops • CocoShiga • red konjac • Salad Bread • Shiga • shopping • sushi • umeruki)

Japan is in the grip of sticker fever and no one is safe, including us

• Master Blaster
  Jan 27, 2026

If loving stickers is wrong, then Japan doesn’t want to be right.

Read More

• Japan
• (Bon Bon Drop • COK • cute • Osaka • Shizuku-chan • shopping • SNJO • sticker collecting • Sticker Festival • stickers • Tamagotchi)

Time to open the final Village Vanguard Luck Bag of 2026, the magical girl Red Lucky Bag

• Master Blaster
  Jan 22, 2026

Another year, another assortment of weird cushions…

Read More

• Japan
• (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • magical girls • New Year's • shopping • Village Vanguard)

The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations

• Master Blaster
  Jan 16, 2026

The opinions expressed in this lucky bag are the store’s personal views and don’t reflect those of our organization.

Read More

• Japan, USA
• (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • New Year's • shopping • toilet golf • Village Vanguard)

Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created

• Master Blaster
  Jan 14, 2026

This toy may be both the greatest and worst thing ever made.

Read More

• Japan
• (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • Kendama • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • New Year's • plush toys • shopping • Village Vanguard)

Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag

• Master Blaster
  Jan 13, 2026

Our love-hate relationship with the popular store continues.

Read More

• Japan
• (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • New Year's • Pink Lucky Bag • shopping • Village Vanguard)

Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard

• Master Blaster
  Jan 8, 2026

All that is gold does not glitter.

Read More

• Japan
• (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • fukubukuro roundup 2026 • lucky bag roundup 2026 • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • New Year's • shopping • Village Vanguard)

Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year

• Master Blaster
  Dec 30, 2025

Becoming a Japanese street tough might just be the change of pace you need.

Read More

• Japan
• (Birth Japan • clothing • crime • diamond • fashion • Lucky Bags • Masanuki Sunakoma • shopping • yakuza • Yankee)

7-Eleven selling half-off fried food for Black Friday alongside regular-priced black food

• Master Blaster
  Nov 16, 2025

It’s more like a Golden Brown Fryday.

Read More

• Japan
• (7-Eleven • black food • Black Friday • chicken • convenience stores • corquettes • fried food • shopping • spring rolls)

Get your cakes in about a minute with Tokyo Station’s unmanned Tokyo Banana shop

• Master Blaster
  Oct 15, 2025

No fuss, no muss, no people.

Read More

• Japan
• (COK • cool • shinkansen • shopping • snacks • SNJO • souvenirs • stations • Tokyo • Tokyo Banana • Tokyo Station • train platforms • trains • unmanned shop • unmanned store)

Foreign tourists spending at Japanese department stores dropping rapidly, study says

• Casey Baseel
  Sep 11, 2025

Tax-exempt spending falls for fifth consecutive month compared to previous year.

Read More

• Japan
• (COK • department stores • foreign tourists • foreigners in Japan • shopping • society • tourism)

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. ...
9. 21
10. Next »

• Recent Posts

  • Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
  • Snow Salt Soft Cream Cafe & Bar for grown-ups opens in Tokyo’s Ueno area with a bookish surprise
  • New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
  • Tokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles
  • Japan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]

• MOST POPULAR

  • Today
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Yearly

  Today

  1. Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
  2. Tokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles
  3. Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
  4. Snow Salt Soft Cream Cafe & Bar for grown-ups opens in Tokyo’s Ueno area with a bookish surprise
  5. Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
  6. New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
  7. Japan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]
  8. Are Japanese temples on Mt Koya cashing in on the foreign tourism boom?
  9. Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
  10. Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter

  Weekly

  1. Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
  2. How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
  3. Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
  4. Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
  5. New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
  6. Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
  7. Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
  8. Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
  9. Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
  10. Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink

  Monthly

  1. 7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
  2. Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
  3. Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
  4. Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
  5. Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
  6. Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
  7. Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
  8. 12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
  9. Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
  10. Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono

  Yearly

  1. Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
  2. Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
  3. Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
  4. Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
  5. Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
  6. Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
  7. Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
  8. Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
  9. Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
  10. Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】

• RECOMMENDED STORIES

  • New Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
  • Japan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]
  • Are Japanese temples on Mt Koya cashing in on the foreign tourism boom?
  • Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
  • Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
  • Japan’s new delicious dark horse sweet potato dessert drink is waiting at a beef bowl chain
  • Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
  • Starbucks and clothing brand Beams team up for launch of second collaborative core collection
  • 7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
  • The confusing enjoyment of our day-trip bus tour from downtown Tokyo to Yamanashi [Photos]
  • Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
  • 7-Eleven Japan releases a Kebab Sandwich… but does it really taste like a street-stall kebab?
  • Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
  • Visiting Kagawa’s popular cooking class where you make noodles with your feet

• • Categories

    Categories Select Category Africa  (33) Anime & Manga  (193) Art  (64) Australia  (42) C America  (9) C Asia  (17) Canada  (59) Cats  (72) China  (845) Culture  (180) Cute  (187) Entertainment  (248) Europe  (344) FN24  (1) Food & Drink  (314) Games & Tech  (167) Global  (1,071) India  (11) Internet  (2,197) Italy  (13) Japan  (34,324) 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  (16) Uncategorized  (19) USA  (972) W Asia  (25)

  • Archives

    Archives Select Month September 2026  (91) 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  (395) 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)

• 訪日外国人向けインバウンド広告メディア「SoraNews24」とは？

• • The confusing enjoyment of our day-trip bus tour from downtown Tokyo to Yamanashi [Photos]
  • Starbucks and clothing brand Beams team up for launch of second collaborative core collection
• About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us

© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION

• Advertise |
• About Us |
• Work with us |
• Contact |
• Contribution |