Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Saori
With the announcement of Mt. Fuji joining the ranks of UNESCO’s World Heritage, there has been a sudden swell of attention paid to the iconic mountain. Merchandise has been coming out fast and furious, but the popularity explosion has unexpectedly struck the cute anthropomorphic Mt. Fuji moe character Saori with some of its shrapnel. However, while people were coming for the name association, a steady fan-base is building as we learn a little more about Saori’s personality.
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
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Creator of Rurouni Kenshin manga/anime avoids jail time in child pornography possession case
Godzilla figure based on Shin Godzilla CG model is stunningly detailed, shockingly expensiveMcDonald’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 monthStarbucks 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
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Creator of Rurouni Kenshin manga/anime avoids jail time in child pornography possession case
Godzilla figure based on Shin Godzilla CG model is stunningly detailed, shockingly expensive
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Century-old Hiroshima brewery in one of Japan’s three great sake-brewing spots offers tours in English
Tokyo Banana Curry adds capital’s souvenir sweet’s sweetness to roux, but not in Tokyo
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
New chain of Kirby takeout dessert shops opening in two Japanese cities for hungry Nintendo fans
Studio Ghibli bath mats and towels will help wash your worries away
Starbucks adds a matcha and pistachio milk tea latte to the menu in Japan for a limited time
Is Japan’s massive Shizuoka steak sandwich really as delicious as it looks in promo photos?