In November 2025, a permanent themed shop opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, on the third floor of the shopping mall Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado”. Despite the teeming crowds, entry to the shop is smooth.

Including fresh pizzas, fried chicken, and a suspiciously familiar tote bag.

Then again, 2025 has been quite the year that could drive anyone to the dark side, so he decided to try once more by getting a Hey Punk! Ensemble Lucky Bag for 5,478 yen (US$35) from Birth Japan, the ...

One taste and lighter varieties may never be enough for you again.

It’s truly an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku…in Shinjuku.

Nestled in the mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture, the town of Hakone makes for a great weekend or overnight trip from the Tokyo area. In addition to some of east Japan’s best hot springs, Hakone boats ...

Hideaki Ito is a well-established actor in Japanese TV and film, having starred in the popular Umizaru series, some Takashi Miike films, Kamen Rider, and three Coca-Cola commercials. He is also the ...

New Year’s is a major event in Japan, much like Christmas is in the West, full of cultural traditions that span back decades, and even centuries. One of those is the practice of adults handing ...

This female was brought to the aquarium in 1987, making her at least 38 years old, but when she first arrived, the longest a Japanese aquarium had been able to keep a largetooth sawfish alive for was ...

Meeting someone through games or social media is becoming just as normal as going to the playground.

Japan’s most quirkily empathetic monk is back to keep bad mojo away from us as the year ends. There are a lot of different ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Japan. If you want to get orthodox, ...

Eleven is trying to innovate beyond cup noodles, but does this new technology deliver the flavor ramen fans need?