Jul 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid] Mega Rayquaza comes to Shinjuku from the stratosphere. Seeing a Rayquaza is a pretty special occasion for Pokémon fans. According to franchise lore, the Dragon/Flying-type spends most of its time s...
Jul 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season Suspension of unreserved seat tickets on some bullet train classes means planning ahead is especially important. Japan is a famously hard-working country, but it’s got a major vacation period comin...
Jul 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life Exclusive range includes a planter cover, smartphone stand and a unique coffee-dyed Japanese tenugui. A cup of coffee has a story that continues even after the final sip. That’s the idea that Starb...
Jul 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications “Small manor in the Izu highlands” is getting ready to welcome guests once again. At pretty much any hotel in Japan, you can count on cleaning staff to come in to vacuum the floors, empty the waste...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up No more heavy ball baskets or stacks of cash, but the same ol’ sensory rush with a modern flair. While wandering the streets of a Japanese city, there’s a chance that during your stroll through a t...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return Official city survey highlights the issues that left some visitors less than satisfied with their Kyoto experience. Kyoto has long been one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, but now the...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death Ikebukuro Pokémon Center and Pikachu Sweets cafe immediately closed following tragic event. The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, located inside the Sunshine City shopping center in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neig...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours Grown with special electrolysed hydrogen water, this ultra-sweet fruit reaches more than 17 degrees Brix. Melon season is upon us in Japan, and there are plenty of delicious varieties to choose fro...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas New “Jimoto” series celebrates the unique flavours and charms of different parts of Japan. To mark its 30th anniversary in Japan, Starbucks has announced a new initiative called the Starbucks Jimot...
Jul 28, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack Turn a Samurai Mac into an expensive Omotesando gourmet burger by taking one thing out – and no, it’s not the pickles. Whether you’re in Japan or overseas, social media is filled with all sorts of ...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations Ice cream chain famous for its 31 flavors celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise with temptingly tactile treats and a salute to every starter Pokémon. As any etiquette expert know...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival Experience the bullet train like few travellers ever have before. Japanese bullet trains are usually known for speed, but East Japan Railway (JR East) is now highlighting the charms of a stationary...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city Always good to have a spare lying around. Capital cities are essential parts of all countries, serving as the center of government, hubs of economic activity, and symbols of the national identity. ...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be? The price has gone up, so we find out if the taste has gone down, or if it’s hopefully stayed the same. Once upon a time, there used to be a familiar sight beside the register at Starbucks: the Car...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 61-year-old Kyoto man arrested for playing guitar and radio too loudly for seven years Those darn sexagenarians with their loud rock music. A lot of people have music in their hearts, and that’s great, because the rest of us can’t hear it deep inside there without some sort of EKG ma...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick Meanwhile, Totoro is as adorable as ever, thanks to being Totoro, in his own magnetic figure form. Quite a few of Studio Ghibli’s anime have titles that feature the name of, or at least allude to, ...
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move Gotta scan ‘em all if they want to get in. In today’s digitally secured world, there are certain sensitive situations in which you can expect facial recognition systems to be part of the procedure....
Jul 27, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too The haircut wasn’t the only great thing we got out of this great-price deal. China has a rich street food culture, and for many travelers grabbing a bite to eat from a roadside food stall is high o...
Jul 26, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat? Sure, that big, fluffy down blanket is a must for making it through a Japanese winter, but how are you supposed to clean it when summer comes around? Generally, living in Japan means hanging your l...
Jul 26, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer Stay cool with a little help from a Ghibli seaside town. When temperatures rise in Japan, so too does our desire for some cool respite, preferably along the lines of a seaside adventure like the on...
