Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Minami Sanriku
The latest craft beer to hit the market in Japan is so unusual that its release has been limited to 3,000 bottles. Called Hoya Ale, the beer itself sounds innocent enough, but when you find out that Hoya is an edible marine animal commonly known as the sea squirt, you might actually need some liquid courage before guzzling it down.
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Osaka icon loses legs, restaurant says famous crab is exhausted
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtleDisney 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
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Osaka icon loses legs, restaurant says famous crab is exhausted
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Unusual curved escalators are the crowning jewel of this shopping mall in Osaka
Shopping at Japanese convenience store Lawson? Don’t forget to take a cooking pot with you!
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Can’t go to conveyor belt sushi? Major Japanese chain will bring the conveyor belt to you!
The top 8 fast food chains in Japan
Internet celebri-babies “Momo Twins” are so cute we could eat them right up【Pics】
Supermarket sushi becomes a hot topic with foreigners on Reddit, but is it any good?