All About Japan

Shogi Prodigy Becomes Youngest with 2 Titles

Sota Fujii became the youngest player of the traditional Japanese board game to hold two of its eight major titles.

Akihabara's New Wall of 150 Gachapon Machines

For fans of the miniature capsule toy-dispensing gachapon vending machines, Kenelstand in Akihabara is your new best friend.

Get Your Hands on 'Twilight at Nihonbashi'

Learn how you can score one of these cool, ukiyo-e-inspired photos that are great as phone wallpapers.

Mizuno & Pokémon Team Up to Make Pokégear IRL

Pokémon worked with Mizuno to bring a line of snappy sportswear and accessories to be sold exclusively at their Pokémon Center outlets and select Mizuno branches.

Mysterious Seeds Delivered Across Japan

Packages marked China Post containing mysterious seeds began turning up in mailboxes across Japan, despite no one ordering such items.

Next Meats Are Taking the Niku out of Yakiniku

These days, you can enjoy many meat-free meals if you know where to look, but there’s one dish that has yet to made vegan-friendly. Until now!

runAway to Todaiji Temple

The runAway Japan team visits Todaiji Temple, arguably THE must-see sight in Japan's ancient capital, Nara.

Did Rick & Morty Confirm Fan Theory in Tokyo?

The two popular animated characters make a trip to Japan in a special episode, which includes a bombshell revelation for fans!

Fewer People Travel Day After Summer Holiday

The flow of people at major train stations in Tokyo on the first Monday after Japan’s summer holiday season decreased compared with the previous month.

Harry Potter Theme Park to Open in Tokyo

Get pumped, Potter fans! Tokyo will get a Harry Potter theme park due to open in 2023.

Smoking Area Artwork for Social Distancing

Officials of Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward have come up with an artistic way to urge smokers to maintain social distancing.

Japan Domestic Air Travel Down 65% in August

It should come as no surprise that the number of passengers traveling by air within Japan during the summer holiday season in August dropped 65 percent from last year.

Japan Marks 75th Anniversary of End of WWII

Organizers scale back the event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II amid the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Viewing Wartime Hiroshima with Virtual Reality

A group of local high school students revives wartime Hiroshima using VR technology to see what Hiroshima's A-bomb Dome looked like before the destruction.

Japan Looks to AI for COVID-19 Countermeasures

Japan’s government launches a panel of experts to discuss formulating coronavirus countermeasures using artificial intelligence and the supercomputer Fugaku.

Best Happoshu 'Near Beers' in Japan

Happoshu is a cheap, beer-adjacent alcoholic beverage ubiquitous in Japan. Here are 5 of the best happoshu to help you stay on budget while still having a good time!

Central Japan Railway Adds More Bullet Trains

Central Japan Railway Company increased the number of its Nozomi bullet trains to 12 per hour ahead of the Obon summer vacation.

Introducing Japan's Top Sommelier

A competition in Tokyo has decided Japan’s best sommelier.

Toyota's Pandemic Profits Plunge to 98%

Toyota Motor Corporation's operating profit plunges 98 percent for the April-to-June quarter.

Roadtrip 5 Awesome Spots on the Noto Peninsula

Discover the secrets of the Noto Peninsula, situated on the wild northwestern coast of Honshu. Although remote, this area has it all; beautiful natural sights, historical architect...

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