Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views This train turns the journey from Kyoto into a holiday highlight. One of Japan’s most unique sightseeing trains is about to return for another summer season, with the West Express Ginga set to beg...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon Mister Donut saw all the Mocchurin that it had made, and they were very good…too good, in fact. Sadly, not every attempted innovation in the world of sweets pans out. Sometimes, would-be mad genius...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli mini towels add anime flair to a Japanese cultural tradition Beloved Ghibli characters want to hold your hand and welcome you into the Japanese world of mini towels. If you’ve ever been to a restroom in Japan that doesn’t have an automatic hand dryer, then y...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s Pokémon mailboxes saved from removal with last-minute extension on final day Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup get new leases on life in Yokohama, and it’s thanks to fans. After many days of gloomy conditions, the city of Yokohama finally got a break from the dark, rainy weather o...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese convenience store coffees are now bigger than ever, thanks to the new “Deka Drink” trend Family Mart and Lawson go head-to-head in a supersized coffee showdown. Convenience store coffees are big right now, literally, with the rise of what locals are referring to as the “Deka Drink”. Li...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video] Neko also has a three-minute purr mode for relaxing to. “…but what if we made it look like a cat?” is a question Japanese designers ask with commendable frequency. Recently, we’ve seen the answers ...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning Survey reveals that the power of storytelling in manga can do a lot for learning more about the world around us. Was there ever a time growing up when you got yelled at for reading comics instead o...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan One-of-a-kind accommodation includes former prison cells that have been transformed into guest rooms. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Japan, then Hoshinoya Nara Prison might just fi...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Live-action Persona adaptation to be produced by Netflix, probably not set in Japan Has enough of Persona’s identity been retained to keep fans happy? As audiences show signs of comic book superhero fatigue, an increasing number of Hollywood executives are looking to video games a...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- We try out the joys of Japan’s kakuuchi wine vending machine A new take on a fading part of Japanese drinking culture. Our Japanese-language writer Kouhey was feeling thirsty while out and about the other day, and so he decided to treat himself to a glass of...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Speed trap camera stolen from Saitama Police while in use They must have stolen it very quickly, but it looks like we’ll never know how fast they were going. When it comes to catching motorists driving too fast in Japan, speed traps are sometimes referred...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made With barley tea going into glasses as the weather heats up, we find out what goes into making barley tea. With summertime here, people in Japan are increasingly reaching for one of its favorite dri...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- New live-action Pokémon adaptation announced for Pokémon Unite News of fifth-anniversary project for the Pokémon MOBA mobile game is drawing a mixed reaction. Adapting a franchise with as whimsical a setting as Pokémon to live-action is no easy feat, but 2019’...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags Traditional craft brings hand-drawn anime characters to life with unique warmth. Studio Ghibli is known for championing old-school traditions through its animated storylines and love of hand-drawn ...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries 70,647,379 votes tallied, and one European nation apparently loves Sanrio’s often-forgotten grannie character. Hello Kitty may be the face of Sanrio, but she’s far from the only adorable icon at Ja...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Mt Fuji installs new emergency shelters ahead of the 2026 climbing season New reinforced shelters are designed to protect climbers from volcanic eruptions, falling rocks and lightning. As Mt Fuji prepares for the start of the 2026 climbing season on 1 July, two new emerg...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates The Spirited Away stage play will cross over to the other side of the Pacific for the first time ever, plus make its return to the U.K. Though in-the-know overseas otaku, cinephiles, and animation ...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match Did the aftermath of Japan’s final match in the World Cup group stage result in order or chaos at one of Tokyo’s biggest gathering spots? The FIFA World Cup currently taking place in Canada, Mexico...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now I think I have a better chance of becoming CEO of Nissan at this point. In the evening of 30 December, 2019, when much of Japan was gearing down for the New Year’s holidays, a small team led by a f...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders Summer is the season for unagi, and Mos Burger has some very special, and very expensive, sandwiches on the way to celebrate Doyo no Ushi no Hi. Despite having a name that sounds intimidatingly ide...
