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Here’s what to expect if it’s your first time seeing kabuki at Tokyo’s Kabuki-za Theater

We share a few simple tips about the dress code, performance length, and dining options if you’re headed to watch the classical performing art form.Late last month, our Japanese-language reporter Masanuki Sunakoma went to the Kabuki-za Theater in Tokyo for the first time ever. His visit was inspired after watching the 2025 film about kabuki titled Kokuho (“National Treasure”)…just kidding, it was actually because an old university friend was performing there, and he took

Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?

Rethinking soup as we know it. Starbucks is continually surprising us with new releases, but its latest addition to the menu takes things to a whole new level. Called the Soupuccino, this new offering straddles the line between soup and cappuccino, and is said to be the first “soup beverage” in the history of the chain.▼ The debut flavour for the Soupuccino is truffle.The soup beverage is made by steaming milk in a Starbucks machine, similar to making a cappuccino, and then combining

Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated toy train is the perfect gift for kids who like to be confused

What is a train really?Christmas is just around the corner, and many of us have children in our families that are really hard to shop for. It’s difficult to keep up with the changing trends, and even if you do, how can you know which Skibidi figure the kid already has?It’s a problem our reporter Masanuki Sunakoma was facing, so he decided to check out Amazon Japan for some ideas. However, after years of seeking out the lowest-rated items sold there, his algorithm is a little skewed t

Starbucks Japan celebrates Christmas with multipurpose gingerbread cookies

Recreate the Starbucks life at home this holiday season.  Every time the festive season rolls around at Starbucks a lot of the focus gets turned towards the drinks, which means a lot of the special food releases end up flying under the radar. So when we saw that the chain was selling gingerbread cookies in a super cute tin, we couldn’t resist grabbing one for a closer look.The round tin has an eye-catching design filled with various Christmas motifs in a wreath-like style. The vivid red gr

Re/insurance key to meeting Southeast Asia’s growing protection needs

In a keynote address at the 21st Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC), Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore,

PHL to host 31st Asia-Pacific space agency forum in Cebu

The Philippines will host the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31) from November 18 to 21 ...

Tokyo’s Kabuki-za Theater curry has a photo that looks deceptive but it’s a star performer

Unlike the makeup of the heroes of kabuki, this curry keeps its appearance simple.Inside the resplendent Kabuki-za Theater in Ginza, Tokyo, is a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city’s streets in a cozy, wood-accented cafe called Cafe Hinoki, which is open to anyone, whether you have a ticket to see one of the acclaimed kabuki performances or not.Upon sitting down at one of the tables and perusing the menu, there is one limited-time dish that stands out from the others, reading:

7-Eleven selling half-off fried food for Black Friday alongside regular-priced black food

It’s more like a Golden Brown Fryday.I never really got all the craziness over Black Friday sales. I guess you have to be in the USA to get the really good ones, because I always see news stories from there about people camping out overnight or injuring each other to get in on these insanely good deals. But whenever I look online or in my local fliers, it’s always one percent off a PlayStation 5, half off dietary fiber pills, or other “bargains” I couldn’t be less i

Regional IOSCO meeting in Abu Dhabi highlights deeper capital market cooperation

TEHRAN – Regulators from more than 20 countries gathered in the United Arab Emirates for the annual meeting of the Africa and Middle East (West Asia) Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), where participants emphasized the need to expand cross-border collaboration and strengthen market oversight. Iran took part in all main sessions and underscored its commitment to regional engagement and alignment with international capital-market standards.

We zapped up some tasty hot sandwiches in the microwave with 3COINS’ new gadget from Japan

This is some hot sand that you’ll love to put in your mouth.Some people, like my mother, like to accumulate a variety of cooking appliances in order to cover any and every possible cooking situation that might arise, from pressure cookers to blenders and air fryers to automatic egg cookers. While this is all well and good, as you’ll never look at a recipe and think, “these takoyaki look so delicious, but I can’t make them because I don’t have a takoyaki grill,” it does come at the expense

Shocking discovery: Japan’s expensive Shine Muscat grapes can pair amazingly with cheap Pringles

Weird, delicious, and beautiful, this is everything we could ask for in the SoraKitchen.Japan’s Shine Muscat grapes have been skyrocketing in popularity in foodie circles around the globe. First cultivated in Japan in 2006, Shine Muscat grapes are prized for their size, firmness, and sweetness, so prized that they cost several times more than ordinary green grapes.So when our Japanese-language reporter Go Hatori got his hands on some Shine Muscats, what did he pair them with? Potato chips. Not s

Politics Insider: Carney set for Friday meeting with Xi

One of the last meetings on Mark Carney’s whirlwind tour of Asia may be his most important: a Friday sit-down with Chinese ...

Mediterranean partners bolster ties on shipping, energy, and infrastructure

Greece’s Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Vasilis Kikilias visited Cairo this week for the TransMEA 2025 international transport conference. The event brought together ministers, regulators and ...

Totoro Tummy Blanket gives you the belly warmth of Ghibli’s cuddliest character【Photos】

”The dream of taking a nap wrapped in Totoro’s tummy has come true.”The idea of a Totoro blanket might sound equal parts cute and impractical. Sure, the cuddly Studio Ghibli star makes a fine muse for something soft to snuggle up under, but he’s also a pretty irregular shape to try to cover yourself with, isn’t he?Ah, but Ghibli specialty shop Donguri Kyowakoku has taken this into consideration, which is why their latest offering isn’t a Totoro-shaped blanket, it’s a Totoro Tummy Blanket.That me

Bear attack shelters going on sale in Japan as country experiences record-high number of incidents

Kumacon provides everything you need to deal with up to a three-day bear siege, manufacturer says.An unprecedented number of bear attacks have been taking place this year in Japan, with the situation having gotten so bad that mail deliveries are potentially going to be disrupted and even the Ground Self-Defense Force has been enlisted to help deal with ursine incidents. “I think the bears really have the upper hand here” one of my colleagues said the other day as we discussed the situation (havi

Secret tourist stop in Japan has a lift car that whisks you away to a mystery mountain destination

If you haven’t visited a Michi no Eki roadside station in Japan yet, you’re missing out. A lot has been written about the wonders of Japanese convenience stores, but for many residents there’s another way to shop that’s arguably even more unique and charming, and it’s called Michi no Eki.Literally translating as “Road Station“, these government-designated roadside rest stops are often found along highways and local roads in rural areas, and they serve mu

Why is Starbucks Japan’s Christmas stollen so good?

There’s more to this festive cake than just pretty packaging.It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Starbucks releases, and the run of limited-edition surprises is now culminating in the long-awaited Holiday collection. In amongst the colourful festive goods and tasty drinks, however, is a food offering that tends to be overlooked — thestollen.While the traditional German Christmas bread might not be everyone’s first choice at Starbucks, it has a lot going for it, starting w

Boulder Meeting of the Western Branch of the American Society for Premodern Asia 2025

From October 16–18, 2025, the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations was delighted to host the conference of the American Society for Premodern Asia Western Branch (ASPA-WB)—the single most ...

Tokyo National Museum seeking donations to pave over pond, create space for beer and music events

Public reactions to redevelopment plan for Japan’s largest collection of historically significant artwork has been less than positive.Located at the edge of Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum houses one of the most important collections of historically significant artistic and cultural artifacts in Japan, containing an estimated 10 percent of all the works officially designated as National Treasures in the country. Adult tickets are priced at 1,500 yen (US$10) by pre-sale or 1,700 yen at the d

Totoro, Catbus sleeping bags are perfect place to stay cozy all winter…if you fit inside【Pics】

Sometimes it’s good to be a petite Ghibli fan.Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro contains what’s arguably the coziest looking nap in the history of animation. In the scene in which we get our very first look at the cuddly forest spirit, he’s snoozing away inside his burrow until he gets an unexpected visitor as Mei comes rolling in, then proceeds to take a nap on top of his ample tummy.With winter on the way, though, it’s going to be too chilly to sleep on top of Totoro. Luckily, there’s a warme