May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool Tampopo is part pachinko parlor, part video game arcade, and part museum. Being a man of culture, when our ace reporter Mr. Sato is out and about in the suburbs and sees on the map that there’s a “...
May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account Not quite as glamourous as a secret bank account. For most people doing long-haul domestic travel in Japan, the Shinkansen is their default method of getting from Point A to far-away Point B. Howev...
May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo Scooby, Scooby-Doo, where are you? Ah, you’re in Japan! Over the past few years, Japan has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for international travelers, with everyone from overse...
May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos] New tie-up with hit anime comes with anti-scalper strategy. Fast food and anime figures are two of the reliable simple sources of joy in life, and yet there was some trepidation about combining the...
May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- The Mandalorian and Grogu film inspires a new set of Ginza Cozy Corner mini cakes and more Three Star Wars-themed collaborations from a galaxy far, far away appeal to both longtime and newer fans of the franchise. We’ve known about Japanese dessert chain Ginza Cozy Corner‘s penchant for ...
May 19, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned Mocchurin are back, and they brought a new friend with them. As Japan’s leading donut chain, Mister Donut is always cooking up new treats, but last year they invented some new words too: mocchuri a...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Six towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days This annual procession is the perfect stop for samurai buffs who enjoy traditional Japanese festivals with a warrior twist. The streets of Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, are about to be packed when the c...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan My Neighbour Totoro is here to help you look and feel cool in traditional Japanese style. With the weather heating up in Japan, people across the nation are reaching into their cupboards and bring...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat Intruder enters home of beloved stuffed animal-loving macaque. Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo attracted worldwide attention earlier this year as animal lovers around the globe heard about Punch, a newbo...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan A fun new way to learn kanji… and reward yourself for it at the same time. It’s been just over two weeks since Kanji Ice opened a store in the historic district of Kamakura in Tokyo’s neighbourin...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it Mont Blanc The Hakuzan is a sweets shop so nice it’s named twice. Tokyo Station isn’t just one of the most important places in the city for travelers and commuters, but for sweets fans too. Both wi...
May 18, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Shochu maker on remote Japanese island plays music as its spirits age, flavor varies by genre Rock shochu and reggae shochu really do taste different from each other. The island of Amami Oshima is part of Kagoshima Prefecture, and Kagoshima is usually pictured as making up the southwest tip...
May 17, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Choc mint ice cream season hits Japan with a spectacular drinkable ice cream from Tully’s Why go to Starbucks when you can find hidden gems like this at a locally born chain? Are you a Chokomintou supporter? If you are, then you will be gearing up for a very busy, and refreshing, summer...
May 17, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Baskin-Robbins Japan’s 2026 popularity poll results are in and the champion flavor is crowned One flavor still rules the nation. For the last five years, Baskin-Robbins Japan (colloquially known as “31”) has been holding an annual Flavor Election that petitions fans of its ice cream to vote...
May 16, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 7-Eleven Japan now sells canned water, but does funky packaging mean funky flavor?[Taste test] Lotte’s canned water makes its convenience store debut. The first time you take a look at the drink section in a Japanese convenance store, you might be surprised by some of the packaging, specific...
May 16, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students Plus some surprising extra requirements, like having to say “thank you” at least 10 times a day. Every school in Japan has its own set of rules, and while many of these guidelines are perfectly un...
May 16, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos] A beautiful, highly customizable hike that’s an easy day-trip from Tokyo. We’re finally in that not-too-cold, not-too-hot sweet spot of spring weather in Japan, providing a prime window for all sor...
May 16, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street Local road goes from trash dump to treasure. One of Tokyo’s largest and most beautiful collections of roses is in bloom right now. However, you won’t find them blooming inside a park or private gar...
May 15, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime? Three years after being acquired by Nippon TV, there’s a shakeup at the top levels of Ghibli’s leadership. Between its unparalleled commitment to anime artistry and larger-than-life creative keymen...
May 15, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer Goodbye (again), Gundam. Seeing Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue is an amazing experience, but also surreal one. Sure, Japan is the land of anime and all, but even then, a 19.7-meter (64.6-foot) tal...
