SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
touching
10 of the nicest celebrities we’ve met in Japan over the years
- Master Blaster
Oct 26, 2026 - Tweet
Who wowed our reporters the most with sheer friendliness?
- Global, Japan
- (celebrities • Chris Pratt • COK • Cunning Takeyama • First Summer Uika • friendliness • interviews • Kuroda • Matt Damon • Maximum the Hormone • Miki Narahashi • movies • moving • music • Non • Shinichiro Azumi • SNJO • touching • TV • Yumi Adachi)
Tokusatsu hero “Moonlight Mask’s” pocket change donations help traffic accidents victims in Japan
- Master Blaster
Oct 23, 2026
Small change and a big heart.
- Japan
- (COK • donation • Gekko Kamen • Moonbeam Man • Moonlight Mask • moving • Superheroes • Tiger Mask • tokusatsu • touching • TV)
Starbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
- Oona McGee
Sep 5, 2026
Photo book takes you on a journey through some of the most iconic Starbucks stores in Japan.
- Japan
- (Anri Kumaki • art • commercial • cool • customer service • design • heartwarming • Hidehito Yagi • Japanese commercial • Shinya Nakajima • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • touching • video)
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
- Casey Baseel
Sep 4, 2026
Because every Pokémon is somebody’s all-star.
- Japan
- (anime • awesome • cool • manga • Masayoshi Oishi • moving • music • Pokemon • Pokémon All-stars 1025 • touching • video • video games)
Time-lapse footage shows just how fast rebuilding in Kumamoto can go
- Master Blaster
Aug 17, 2026
All in a day’s work.
- Japan
- (2026 Kumamoto earthquake • Construction • disasters • earthquakes • highways • Kumamoto • Kyushu • moving • NEXCO • recovery • touching)
Starbucks releases tear-jerking new video inspired by heartwarming encounters in Japanese stores
- Oona McGee
Aug 14, 2026
A beautiful homage to the true stories of customers and staff at Starbucks Japan.
- Japan
- (Anri Kumaki • art • commercial • cool • customer service • design • heartwarming • Hidehito Yagi • Japanese commercial • Shinya Nakajima • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • touching • video)
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
- Casey Baseel
Jul 30, 2026
The castle itself is still undergoing repairs from an earthquake from 10 years ago.
- Japan
- (diasaster • earthquake • Kumamoto • Kumamoto Castle • Kumamoto City • kumamoto earthquake • moving • touching)
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)
Japanese soccer fans show excellent manners as World Cup opens[Pics, video]
- Casey Baseel
Jun 16, 2026
Chants and headbands aren’t the only tradition supporters of Japan’s sports teams bring with them when attending events overseas.
- Japan
- (2026 World Cup • COK • culture • etiquette • manners • moving • soccer • society • sports • touching • World Cup)
Retro fashion magazines from Tokyo’s street market remind Mr. Sato of a special gift from his dad
- Casey Baseel
Jun 9, 2026
Mr. Sato is filled with appreciation for the other Mr. Sato.
- Japan
- (COK • fashion • Japan travel • moving • Mr. Sato • retro • SNJO • Sugamo • touching • tourism • travel)
Order a cocktail, support a senior with Shinjuku Day Service Mojito at a handful of businesses
- Krista Rogers
Jun 9, 2026
A new model of urban community collaboration in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho area connects the generations using mint as a bridge.
- Japan
- (bars • cool • elderly • gardening • host clubs • Kabukicho • mint • mojito • moving • restaurants • senior citizens • seniors • shinjuku • Shinjuku Day Service • society • touching)
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
- Casey Baseel
May 8, 2026
A 10-year wait turns out to be exactly the right length to warm her heart.
We sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
- Casey Baseel
May 6, 2026
With 1,100 yen to buy gifts for Mom, but no other directions, what will they come out with?
- Japan
- (100 yen shops • 100-yen stores • COK • family • kids • Mother's Day • moving • Natsuno Futon • Parenting • parents • Seria • SNJO • touching)
Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]
- Casey Baseel
Apr 8, 2026
Likely wanderer from Nara Park won’t be going back, but has a new place to live in a hot spring town.
- Japan
- (animals • crazy • cute • deer • environment • moving • Nara • Nara deer • Nara Park • nature • Osaka • Shika-yan • touching • video • weird)
Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]
- Casey Baseel
Feb 19, 2026
Punch’s life started with a metaphorical gut-punch, but things are cuddlier, and happier, now.
- Japan
- (animals • cute • Ichikawa • Ichikawa City Zoo • ikea • monkeys • moving • plushies • punch • touching • video • zoos)
Heart/body-warming anime video is a beautiful love letter to family and miso soup【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Jan 22, 2026
Based-on-true-story shows how woman and her grandmother stay close even when they’re far apart.
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
Jan 20, 2026
An unexpected encounter sends us on a journey to the other side of Japan, and into the past.
- Japan
- (COK • crazy • food • funny • Japan travel • moving • popcorn • popcorn machine • SNJO • Takuya Inaba • touching • tourism • travel • weird)
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
- Elliot Hale
Jan 9, 2026
Starting in his 40s and still going strong, Mr. Sato offers realistic tips for anyone trying to shift some extra weight this year.
- Japan
- (COK • diet • exercise • fitness • health • moving • Mr. Sato • New Year's Resolution • pole dance • pole dancing • SNJO • touching • weight loss)
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
- Casey Baseel
Dec 6, 2025
Marugame Family Night is for the Marugame families, not the customers.
- Japan
- (Christmas • Christmas Eve • food • Marugame • Marugame Seimen • Marugame Udon.touching • moving • Noodles • restaurants • society • touching • udon)
I had no idea you could win crane game prizes in Japan the way my friend won this Dragon Quest Slime
- Casey Baseel
Nov 27, 2025
This black Slime plushie had become his white whale until something I’d never experienced before happened.
- Japan
- (Arcades • COK • crane games • Dragon Quest • Dragon Quest Slime • game centers • moving • plushies • Shadow Slime • slime • Slime Dark • SNO • touching • UFO catchers • video games)
-
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
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]
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
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
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]
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
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
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
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]
-
-
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 |
