Jun 22, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan announces sudden 500-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country First increase to visa fees in nearly 50 years will affect some arriving foreigners more than others. The Japanese government has announced a proportionally huge increase in visa fees for foreign n...
Jun 22, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Beat the heat with chilled Iekei ramen from Yokohama Iekei Ramen Ichikakuya Eat big and eat light at the same time. As the temperature continues to rise in Japan, people’s appetites tend to diminish. So, in the summer, we sometimes turn to classic dishes like somen chilled...
Jun 22, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Kits to make battle tops out of pure candy coming soon in Japan If you’re going to play with your food, make it competitive. Spinning tops have been around for a very long time, and even the concept of having battles where opponents try to knock each other’s to...
Jun 21, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- “Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties In-house expert Mr. TKG gives us his top three egg recommendations. When people in Japan with niche interests hone in and get serious about something, they get really serious. Case in point is a ne...
Jun 21, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese merry-go-round has heartwarming backstory, is one of the best rides in Japan The amusement park may have been demolished, but this ride lives on. “This might be the most enjoyable merry-go-round I’ve ever ridden.” That was the honest reaction from our reporter Natsuno Futon...
Jun 21, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 7-Eleven Japan vs Family Mart: Who has the biggest convenience store cookie? A cookie clash amongst convenience store chains. It’s a great time to be a convenience store customer in Japan right now, as Family Mart is holding a special upsize campaign that gives us more for...
Jun 20, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- We invent ice slurry somen to combat the extreme Japanese summer heat【SoraKitchen】 Although your pre-battle preparations need to start a week in advance. With many parts of Japan already experiencing extremely hot days, with some areas of eastern Japan reaching 35 degrees Celsius...
Jun 20, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it Famous “Cat’s Tongue” cookies get a whole new look with a limited-edition release at only one location. One of the best places to shop for Tokyo souvenirs is in the basement of Tokyo Station, and ...
Jun 20, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Ginza Happo: One of Tokyo’s best all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants is an extreme buffet affair This breathtaking spectacle includes, beef, desserts, hot dishes, drinks, and a special grill experience, but it requires some insider expertise to properly wade through. As much as we love a barga...
Jun 20, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Harajuku Custom Icees come to help Tokyo’s Takeshita Street stay cute and cool this summer Slushy sweet drink from the U.S. makes its Harajuku debut. Weather-wise it’s been a surprisingly mild June in Tokyo, but that’s only going to make the inevitable heart and humidity of midsummer fee...
Jun 20, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 100-meter tall Hello Kitty artwork appearing on Japanese Ferris wheel, jumbo Pompompurin nearby Sanrio Fes brings gigantic cuteness to Minato Mirai. Hello Kitty is a big star all over the world, but she’s a really, really big star here in Japan. How big? 100-meters (328-feet) big. That’s the...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Pokémon coming to Japan’s highway rest stops with exclusive merch and stamp rally this summer Pikachu and pals make a compelling reason to skip the bullet train while traveling in Japan over the next few months. They say it’s not the destination that matters so much as the journey, and a vi...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- New adorable Osaka foodie destination, Chiikawa Bakery Osaka, opening soon with crazy ramen bread Anime/manga-themed café’s baked goods run the range from cute to crazy, just like Chiikawa itself. Osaka is famous as one of Japan’s best foodie destinations, with kuidaore, “eat until you drop,” b...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad Shadow warrior test includes a written exam, with marks given for shuriken throwing and ninja attire. On 14 June, 131 aspiring modern-day ninjas descended on Koka City in Shiga Prefecture to test t...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli releases new anime character fans to keep fans looking and feeling cool this summer Totoro and Jiji are ready to join you on all your summer adventures. Studio Ghibli is famous for keeping old-school traditions alive, both in its animated movies and its official merchandise range....
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing Six of Japan’s biggest ice cream makers face accusations of collaborating to keep fairly priced ice cream out of consumers’ hands/stomachs. Authorities in Japan have launched an investigation into ...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer Rising star in Japan’s foodie scene is making its 7-Eleven debut. Walk into a 7-Eleven in Japan and, as you’d expect, you’ll quickly find all sorts of very Japanese foods and drinks, such as green ...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about Freshly made cheese buffet is a secret known only to those in the know. Japan has a whole smorgasbord of all-you-can-eat restaurants, but some of the best buffet deals can be found in low-key, unex...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer Serving up peaches three ways – melty, fizzy and chunky. Starbucks has just announced that it will be releasing not one, not two but three new types of peach beverages, with each one featuring a di...
Jun 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Tokyo has a cafe that prohibits talking inside, and here’s why it’s awesome If you need a break from the noise in your life, this Koenji cafe is waiting for you. In Tokyo you’re never very far away from a convenience store or vending machine, so going to a cafe to have a d...
