Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
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As you’re surely aware, Pokémon is serious business in Japan, with tournaments and competitions for the myriad playable variations so viciously competitive that many resort to illegally acquiring and modifying Pokémon.
In that sense, it’s odd that one of the most valuable pieces of Pokémon memorabilia, the Pokémon Illustrator card from the Pokémon Trading Card Game, serves absolutely no in-game purpose. It is, however, considered to be one of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence.
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
We cooked Japan’s 2,000-yen mail-order Ramen of the Year, but was it worth it?【Taste test】
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
What happens when you use a facial massage roller for two weeks straight?McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in TokyoMore foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen communityMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitelyMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
We cooked Japan’s 2,000-yen mail-order Ramen of the Year, but was it worth it?【Taste test】
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
What happens when you use a facial massage roller for two weeks straight?
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Believe it! Naruto live-action stage play returns, shows off huge new cast and costumes【Photos】
Is Japan’s massive Shizuoka steak sandwich really as delicious as it looks in promo photos?
Studio Ghibli releases The Boy and the Heron merchandise in Japan【Pics】
PlayStation VR user finds, shares ways of peeping at panties in schoolgirl tutor game【Video】
Stay Tentacool in the summer heat with these gorgeous Pokémon polo shirts