SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
swords
Real-world Zelda Master Sword on the way from American toymaker, plays game music and sounds
- Casey Baseel
Sep 11, 2026 - Tweet
Nintendo’s iconic Legend of Zelda weapon could be yours to wield.
- Japan, USA
- (awesome • cool • cosplay • Hasbro • Legend of Zelda • Master Sword • nintendo • swords • video games • Zelda)
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)
Anime sword pizza coming to Pizza Hut with Fate/Grand Order crossover in China
- Casey Baseel
Aug 1, 2025
The Pizza of Promised Victory.
- Japan
- (anime • awesome • crazy • Fate • fate grand order • fate/grand order • food • manga • pizza • Pizza Hut • Pizza Hut China • swords • weird)
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
- Casey Baseel
Jun 3, 2025
Popular program in birthplace of samurai martial art iado forced to retool.
Life-size Nier: Automata sword going on sale, includes 2B’s voice if you swing it the right way
- Casey Baseel
Apr 19, 2025
To buy, or not to buy 2B’s starting sword?
- Japan
- (awesome • cool • Nier • Nier: Automata • Square Enix • swords • video games)
Lunch fit for a samurai lord: Japanese cafes offers castle bento lunches, sells boxes too【Pics】
- Casey Baseel
Apr 7, 2025
Cafe’s location means it knows its customers will be in a samurai mood.
- Japan
- (bento • bento boxes • castles • culture • food • history • Katana • museum • restaurants • swords • tableware)
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
- Casey Baseel
Nov 28, 2024
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo souvenir replica recalled after warning from muggle law enforcement.
- Japan
- (crazy • crime • Firearm and Sword Control Law • Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law • Gryffindor • Harry Potter • swords • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo • weird)
Don’t miss the swords-on-fire performances and more at Asakusa Samuraive Show this week
- Krista Rogers
Nov 19, 2024
An entertainment show in Tokyo’s center of traditional culture combines the old with the new in a flaming, nonverbal spectacle.
- Japan
- (Asakusa • Asakusa Kagekijo Theater • entertainment • fire • Hanayashiki • Katana • Samuraive • show • swords • Tokyo • traditional)
Dojigiri, the millennium-old katana said to have slain a demon, is now on display in Tokyo【Pics】
- Casey Baseel
Mar 14, 2024
One of the Five Swords Under Heaven is now under the roof of this downtown museum.
Ninja Sword Ice Cream: The longest ice cream in Japan looks like a single-edged sword
- Oona McGee
Jul 3, 2023
Slay the heat with a new ice cream from a Japanese ninja cafe.
- Japan
- (COK • cool • food • Gifu • ice candy • ice cream • ice pop • Ninja • Ninja Cafe • Ninja Cafe & Bar Asakusa • ninja sword • ninjato • shinobi • sweets • swords)
Visiting Kunozan Toshogu, the shrine where the first lord of Japan’s last shogunate was buried
- SoraNews24
Jun 7, 2023
The site of Ieyasu’s grave also has an amazing hidden-gem museum that far too many visitors skip.
- Japan
- (beautiful • cool • history • Katana • samurai • shinto • Shizuoka • shogun • shrines • swords • Tokugawa • Tokugawa Ieyasu • Tokugawa shogunate • travel)
Is spending 248,380 yen (US$1,840) on an anime boy doll a wise choice? Our fangirl finds out!
- Casey Baseel
Mar 3, 2023
A big love for Touken Ranbu leads to a big expenditure, but is it money well spent?
- Japan
- (anime • COK • dolls • figures • Katana • manga • otaku • SNJO • swords • Touken Rambu • Touken Ranbu)
Samurai armor and mini katana tableware is here to keep your bottles safe and your food stabbed
- Shannon
Feb 26, 2023
Your drinks will always be protected from now on.
- Japan
- (armor • COK • cool • drinkware • history • interior • Katana • Makuake • Oda Nobunaga • samurai • swords • tableware • Tokugawa Ieyasu • Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin katana forged based on sword of series’ most merciless villain【Photos】
- SoraNews24
Feb 21, 2023
Kenshin vs. Shishio museum exhibit displays Sakabato and Mugenjin.
- Japan
- (anime • COK • Katana • manga • Mugenjin • museums • Rurouni Kenshin • Saito Hajime • sakabato • Seki • Shishio Makoto • SNJO • swords)
Want to become a swordsmith? Apprenticeship opens in Japan, but the fine print might shock you
- SoraNews24
Aug 2, 2022
Katana-making apprenticeship sparks debate on controversial conditions.
- Japan
- (apprentice • apprenticeships • art • culture • history • Japanese swords • Katana • samurai • swords • swordsmiths • traditional crafts)
An A.I. program designed a katana, then a 15th-generation Japanese swordsmith made it【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
Jun 12, 2022
Modern technology intertwines with 400 years of swordsmithing skills.
- Japan
- (A.I. • awesome • COK • cool • Katana • swords • swordsmiths • technology)
You can get a custom-made katana and a tax discount by donating to this Kyoto city【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
May 29, 2022
Newly forged young swordsmiths open up their own forge in Kyotango.
- Japan
- (awesome • cool • furusato nozei • Japanese swords • Katana • Kyoto • swords)
Missing 700-year-old national treasure katana found in Australia【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Feb 26, 2022
Katana was gifted to shrine by samurai lord two centuries ago, but has been missing for decades.
Famous Japanese sword becomes tiny sweets knife in order to slice into matcha pound cake
- Dale Roll
Feb 24, 2022
Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Ashikaga City in Tochigi with these fun commemorative goods.
- Japan
- (Ashikaga City • cool • green tea • Horikawa Kunihiro • Katana • matcha • sweets • swords • Tochigi • Yamanbagiri Kunihiro)
Authentic Japanese sword letter openers available through crowdfunding
- Master Blaster
Jan 31, 2022
Live by the sword, open mail by the sword.
- Japan
- (Bizen Osafune • cool • crowdfunding • Hitofuri • Japanese swords • Katana • letter opener • stationery • swords • swordsmith)
-
Recent Posts
- Hello Kitty ready to keep you company in the bathroom with new dessert-aroma Sanrio toilet paper
- Cinnabon gets into the Japanese spirit with new Wagokorobon treats
- 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
- Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths
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
Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes
Restaurant opens in Japan with all-dementia waitresses, serves up ramen, awareness, and kindness
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
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
Discount retailers known for massive bargains releases massive Japanese egg sandwich
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Weekly
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]- Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]- Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
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
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
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
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
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
Discount retailers known for massive bargains releases massive Japanese egg sandwich
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Japanese government hires leading comedy agency to explain national defense spending
Starbucks Japan reveals this year’s lucky bag, but you’ll have to act fast to get one
Continuing cyberattacks hit Japanese arcade hard [Photos]
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
-
-
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 (34,564) 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 (33) 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 |
