Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
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A new restaurant modestly named “Robot Restaurant” has opened in Shinjuku on 18 July but already has generated a lot of buzz on the internet. Its quick surge in popularity may have to do with the rumored post-apocalyptic giant robot show that goes on while you eat and is said to cost 10 billion yen (US$127M) to create. We had to go and see if this is for real.
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Osaka makes decision on terrifying mascot for upcoming world’s fairDisney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese thingsForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
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
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird trainOur Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
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
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Osaka makes decision on terrifying mascot for upcoming world’s fair
New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gap
Michelin Guide gyoza in Tokyo: Worthy of the accolade?
Photographs of mysterious globe cloud in Japan causing quite a storm online
Pokémon Tokyo Banana’s latest offering is adorable Pikachu and Eevee chocolate cookie sandwiches
We made pan-fried and baked mini apple pies using gyoza dumpling wrappers【SoraKitchen】
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
10 crazy pizzas from Japan
It’s naked time: An American’s first onsen experience 【Video】