All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Kitty Caps to Keep Your Cat Warm

Christmas cat capsule toy hats from Japan will make your holiday feline festivities jolly.

Online Shopping in Japan (by JLPT Level)

JLPT surely stands for 'Just Let People Trade' right? Joking aside, we're bringing you a list of five of the best Japanese shopping websites, ranked by the level of Japanese (according to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test) needed to access them.

Interactive Pikachu Peddles Pokémon Plushies

If you're looking to get your hands on some adorable Pokémon plushies, check out these new vending machines! These Pokémon Stands will feature an interactive Pikachu to help you select your new buddy.

Now it's Okay to Play with Your Noodles!

Being told not to play with your food didn't stop this popular toy company from producing a contraption that slides 'somen' noodles into your bowl at home!

Captain America Turns Samurai Warrior

Chances are, figurine collectors who are obsessed with Marvel characters probably already have one or two Captain America figurines, but this one from Bandai is the perfect blend of the beloved American comic book hero and historical Japanese warriors.

Japan's 8 Biggest Anime & Otaku Events

What's an anime or gaming otaku to do in Japan? Check out its massive anime- and gaming-related events, that's what! From the Tokyo Game Show to the World Cosplay Summit, there's plenty to see throughout the year!

Tokyo Side Trips for Every Type of Traveler

While Tokyo alone could satisfy your craving for a yin and yang experience—say, a taste of city life in Shibuya coupled with the greenery of Shinjuku Gyoen—there's more to enjoy beyond the city limits of Tokyo!

Robot Robot: Second-Hand Anime Goods Galore!

Find hidden treasures that you may have missed out on during your childhood at Robot Robot, a second-hand anime goods store. From plushes, key-chains, figures, posters and more, who knows what kind of treasure you'll find.

Sanctuary for All Types of Otaku

If you’re into anime, manga, Gundam, idols, 'doujinshi,' dolls, retro toys and more, you’re looking for Mandarake, a shopping complex that specializes in second-hand items for every otaku.

Behold: The Rice Cooker Coin Purse!

Japan does it again! A weird blend of form and function, the rice cooker coin purse is arguably the tastiest way to carry your change.

A Super Cheap Akihabara Tour

Super Cheap Japan has put together an incredible cheapo tour of Akihabara—or 'Akiba,' as they call it here. Follow the recommended route to find all the arcades, maid cafes, manga and anime stores, electronic stores and used good stores that you need!

Cute Kirby Pillow Sucks Up Our Hearts

Manufacturer says the adorable new cushion based off of Nintendo's beloved character “makes the dream of being sucked up by Kirby come true!”

'Catch 'em All' with Pokémon Vending Machines

Instead of wandering the grass looking for wild Pokémon, you can now get them even easier with new Pokémon vending machines conveniently located throughout Tokyo.

Preview of Tokyo Game Show 2017

Coming to you live from Tokyo Game Show 2017, it's Wendell, the Managing Editor of All About Japan, along with writer Jack and Yoshitaka, our editorial assistant. And we're bringing you along as we take our first look at TGS 2017!

Meet Chef Pikachu at the Pokémon Café

Haven't you ever think you wanted to eat the food in Pokémon? Well, now you can make your dreams come true at the Pokémon Café! Eat Pikachu curry, an Eevee plate, Snorlax hamburg steak, magical Gengar drinks, and more.

Cuddle Up with Your Very Own Lapras!

Recreate Ash’s voyage around the Orange Archipelago without ever leaving your living room.

Pokémon Happy Meals — Catch 'Em All!

Starting July, 2018, awesome Pikachu and Eevee boxes and goodies will have Pokémon fans of all ages flocking to McDonald's to catch 'em all!

Sculptor Creates Heroes Using 100-Yen Toys

For 35 years, since he was in grade school, the sculptor Tomohiro Yasui has been making paper robots. However, he's been recently targeting his creative energy at the cheap toys and snacks sold at 100-yen shops around Japan.

The Evolution of the ¥100 Shop

It's amazing to see what ¥100 can buy! It's even more amazing to see what DIY projects some creative customers are able to accomplish using only materials from ¥100 shops!

Round & Round the Sushi Goes

Forget sushi boats. Eat your next piece of sushi off a Ferris wheel that slides the dish onto a roller coaster!

know-before-you-go