Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Vatican City
After pictures of the Pope at the weekly General Audience were circulated online, internet users everywhere have noticed something peculiar: it looks eerily like the entrance of the last boss in a Final Fantasy game. If you don’t believe me, read on!
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?
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Is the Shinkansen bullet train Green Car upgrade worth it when traveling in Japan?【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
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 parkJapanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyersForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
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
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekendNew 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?
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
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Is the Shinkansen bullet train Green Car upgrade worth it when traveling in Japan?【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
This northern Tokyo capsule hotel is cheap, clean, comfortable, and has amazing amenities
“Why, Japanese people!?” American dude has us rolling on the floor laughing with his comedic sketch
Japanese hotel has rooftop hot spring bath, unlimited sushi and alcohol, costs less than 80 bucks
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Gacha machine backpack is Japan’s hottest new fashion statement
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】