All About Japan

SoraNews24

SoraNews24

All About SoraNews24
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SoraNews24 is a bilingual news blog. Since our humble launch in 2008 we’ve built a massive fan base by reporting the interesting, strange and random.
Japan Votes for its 100 Best World-class Songs

Japan Votes for its 100 Best World-class Songs

10,000 people were asked what they thought were Japan’s most world-class songs. The final list left many netizens scratching their heads.

An Ad for Eating Hair & Smashing Cakes

An Ad for Eating Hair & Smashing Cakes

Seki City in Gifu Prefecture finds a weirdly endearing way to highlight its local specialty.

Mamoru Oshii Reveals His Top Miyazaki Film

Mamoru Oshii Reveals His Top Miyazaki Film

The Ghost in the Shell director makes an unexpected pick for a characteristic reason.

Onsen Trivia: Highest, Hottest & Healthiest

Onsen Trivia: Highest, Hottest & Healthiest

Oita has the most hot spring sources, but Hokkaido has the most spas—and the highest onsen is in Toyama.

Adorable Onsen Litter Box

Adorable Onsen Litter Box

It comes complete with a cute spa-style noren curtain to provide some much-needed privacy.

Video Tour Through a Japanese Handicraft Fair

Video Tour Through a Japanese Handicraft Fair

Sharla in Japan visited the 26th Arakawa Traditional Handicraft Fair in Tokyo, revealing a cool range of traditional crafts from shamisen to woodblock prints.

Japan's Only 3-Michelin-Star Onsen

Japan's Only 3-Michelin-Star Onsen

Head down to Oita for the spot that wowed Michelin for four years straight.

5 Incredible Snow-covered Onsen

5 Incredible Snow-covered Onsen

This collection of winter snowscapes will help you beat the winter chill in the most unique way possible.

5 Reasons Why Karaoke is a Great Spot to Study

5 Reasons Why Karaoke is a Great Spot to Study

With cafés crowded and homes small, what better than a catered, private box for assembling your study group?

Takoyaki Secrets in 37 Seconds

Takoyaki Secrets in 37 Seconds

Welcome to the wonderful world of takoyaki, battered octopus balls!

First Onsen Experience in Japan

First Onsen Experience in Japan

Onsen etiquette can be confusing for a foreigner visiting for the first time, and there are many small rules and customs that even many Japanese people aren’t quite clear on.

Japan’s Newest Hot Spring is in Downtown Kobe

Japan’s Newest Hot Spring is in Downtown Kobe

After digging to a depth of roughly 1,000 meters (3,281 ft), an excavation team at Sannomiya Station discovered water springing from the bedrock.

Are You Ready for Yarn Ramen?!

Are You Ready for Yarn Ramen?!

Ramen is easy enough to make with a package of cup noodles, but knitting a bowl of hot soup takes a lot more skill.

Vegeta vs. Instant Ramen

Vegeta vs. Instant Ramen

In May 2015, Dragonball’s resident attitude with a widow’s peak epically endorsed Nissin Cup Noodle’s new vegetable-packed variety of instant ramen.

A 1-Page Guide to 25 Japanese Snacks

A 1-Page Guide to 25 Japanese Snacks

A California-based food blogger does due diligence on all those snacks you were too confused (or embarrassed) to ask about.

A Taste of American Sushi in Okinawa

A Taste of American Sushi in Okinawa

Sushi Bar Yoshihachi’s proprietor got his start making sushi back in the U.S., and rumor has it he just might be the inventor of the California roll.

Wooden Ukiyo-e Star Wars Phone Case

Wooden Ukiyo-e Star Wars Phone Case

This iPhone case takes its design cue from a very special ukiyo-e woodblock print, one of only three in the world officially approved by Lucasfilm.

57% Name Instant Ramen Japan's Top Invention

57% Name Instant Ramen Japan's Top Invention

More than ECG machines, electric rice cookers and the Playstation 4, a majority of Japanese pick instant ramen as the nation's top invention.

The Edible World of Okonomiyaki Art

The Edible World of Okonomiyaki Art

Start with floral designs and work your way up to JoJo, Totoro or Levi Ackerman.

The Town Where Cucumbers are Forbidden

The Town Where Cucumbers are Forbidden

There’s a town in Japan where it's strictly forbidden to grow or eat cucumbers. Why do they hate the vegetable? And is the rule valid or are they all in a pickle over nothing?

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