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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms

New Japan-exclusive collectibles are only available at select locations.Japan is famous for gacha capsule toys, and now Starbucks is finally joining the fun with its very first collection of gacha-style collectibles.Released as part of the chain’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Japan, the new “Starbucks Joyful Capsule” collection consists of nine different plush charms inspired by some of the chain’s most iconic beverages and food items.Each palm-sized charm comes sealed inside a capsule

Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims

The castle itself is still undergoing repairs from an earthquake from 10 years ago.Kumamoto is still reeling from a massive earthquake that struck the prefecture on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu on the afternoon of July 28. Recovering from the magnitude-7.1 quake will not be a quick or easy process, and there are many, many difficult days ahead. In dark times, though, any symbol of hope becomes vital, and Kazufumi Onishi, mayor of Kumamoto Prefecture’s Capital of Kumamoto City, shared on

Katana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims

The sword of the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi is being called into action once again in a touching story of repaying kindness.On Tuesday morning, a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, at least 30 people are known to have lost their lives, with hundreds injured, thousands forced to evacuate, and tens of thousands dealing with power outages and water supply disruptions.In the wake

Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]

If you’ve ever wanted to take a nap while burying your face in Pompompurin’s butthole, this is the cushion you’ve been waiting for.You can make a strong argument that no other company on the planet understands the value of good visual design as well as Sanrio does. Hello Kitty and her friends largely flipped the script on character merchandising, in that instead of starting with extensive narratives in animation, books, or other media, Sanrio characters tend to debut as merchandise and build the

APEC ministers vow to balance economic growth and ecology

APEC forestry ministers agreed on Tuesday to strengthen biodiversity protection, improve forest governance and boost investment in the forestry sector to advance sustainable development.

Starbucks Japan unveils new coffee drinks… for people who don’t drink coffee

Created with Shibuya109 Lab, this new release aims to bridge the gap between traditional coffee and sweet Frappuccinos.This year marks the 30th anniversary for Starbucks in Japan, and the chain is celebrating the milestone with a number of new and innovative creations. Its latest release is particularly special, as the chain worked with Shibuya109 lab, a youth marketing organisation based in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, to help create it.The collaboration sought to understand how younger generation

Official Final Fantasy beers are going on sale in Tokyo this month, giant Aetheryte appearing too

Two brews, inspired by the world of Final Fantasy XIV, are joining the taps at an Akihabara craft beer bar.Back in the spring, Final Fantasy VII’s Seventh Heaven bar popped up in real-world Tokyo, letting fans stop by Tifa’s tavern for lemony cocktails personally endorsed by Soldier First Class Sephiroth. Sadly, Tokyo’s Seventh Heaven is now closed, but luckily there’s another spot in the city that’s going to be serving up some brand-new Final Fantasy-themed liquid refreshment.Later this month,

Maximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month

The rise in the entry fee comes amid an increase in public bathhouse users in Tokyo and a decrease in the total number of sento.The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced that the maximum entry fee that can be charged by sento, Japanese public bathhouses, will increase by 50 yen to reach 600 yen (US$3.66)per adult (ages 12 and up) in Tokyo Prefecture. The fee for children ages 6-11 and those under 6 will remain the same, at 200 yen and 100 yen respectively. The new fee will go into effect o

Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data

The average overseas visitor now consumes more rice in a day than a Japanese local.On 27 July, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released its fiscal 2025 data on rice consumption by foreign visitors to Japan, and the results revealed that foreign tourists are eating significantly more rice than anticipated.According to the data, collected through questionnaires completed by visitors from 14 countries and regions, MAFF now estimates that overseas visitors consume an a

Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]

Mega Rayquaza comes to Shinjuku from the stratosphere.Seeing a Rayquaza is a pretty special occasion for Pokémon fans. According to franchise lore, the Dragon/Flying-type spends most of its time soaring through the stratosphere and munching on meteorites, so Rayquaza sightings are rare, whether we’re talking about within episodes of the Pokémon anime series, battles in the video games, or packs of the trading cards. Encountering the species’ evolved form, Mega Rayquaza, is an even rarer experien

JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season

Suspension of unreserved seat tickets on some bullet train classes means planning ahead is especially important.Japan is a famously hard-working country, but it’s got a major vacation period coming up next month with Obon. Observed in early/mid-August, Obon is traditionally celebrated by going back to your hometown to reconnect with extended family members, but in the modern era it’s also a major leisure travel season. Either way, though, Obon is a rare opportunity to travel for an extended peri

Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life

Exclusive range includes a planter cover, smartphone stand and a unique coffee-dyed Japanese tenugui.A cup of coffee has a story that continues even after the final sip. That’s the idea that Starbucks Japan had in mind when it created “Afterword”, a new collection of everyday goods that’s set to hit stores in Japan on Friday.Stylised as “AfterWaord” but pronounced “Afterword” – Starbucks hasn’t revealed the true reason for the “wa” in the title but it co

Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications

“Small manor in the Izu highlands” is getting ready to welcome guests once again.At pretty much any hotel in Japan, you can count on cleaning staff to come in to vacuum the floors, empty the wastebasket, and change the linens on a daily basis. However, if the sort of “maid service” you’re looking for goes beyond such mundane housekeeping and instead encompasses the sort of polished personal attentiveness enjoyed at manor houses in classical eras, then you’ll be glad to know that Japan’s maid hot

Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up

No more heavy ball baskets or stacks of cash, but the same ol’ sensory rush with a modern flair.While wandering the streets of a Japanese city, there’s a chance that during your stroll through a tranquil neighborhood suddenly some automatic doors will open near you, unleashing a torrent of flashing lights and thundering sounds out of seemingly nowhere. You’ve just found one of Japan’s pachinko parlors, a hypnotic and massive gaming spectacle that is beloved by some and hated by others.Long consi

Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return

Official city survey highlights the issues that left some visitors less than satisfied with their Kyoto experience.Kyoto has long been one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, but now the city’s popularity is breaking records, attracting more visitors than ever before. According to Kyoto City’s latest annual tourism survey, 62.79 million people visited the city in 2025 for sightseeing and other leisure purposes, making it the first year that visitor numbers have exceeded 60 millio

Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death

Ikebukuro Pokémon Center and Pikachu Sweets cafe immediately closed following tragic event.The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, located inside the Sunshine City shopping center in Tokyo’sIkebukuro neighborhood, was the second Pokémon Center to open in Japan, and is the longest continually operating Pokémon superstore (the very first Pokémon Center, in Yokohama, relocated to a new location within the city a few years ago). Being situated in a part of Tokyo that sees massive numbers of both local and to

Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours

Grown with special electrolysed hydrogen water, this ultra-sweet fruit reaches more than 17 degrees Brix.Melon season is upon us in Japan, and there are plenty of delicious varieties to choose from. One melon, however, stands out for being so sought after it sells out within 12 hours, leading it to be dubbed a “phantom” fruit, as it’s so rare and difficult to find.▼ Yokoe Farm’s Tokushu Kusatsu Melon.Kusatsu Melon is a premium melon brand produced in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, with sugar le

Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas

New “Jimoto” series celebrates the unique flavours and charms of different parts of Japan.To mark its 30th anniversary in Japan, Starbucks has announced a new initiative called the Starbucks Jimoto Program, which includes the release of exclusive drinks and products only in select prefectures. With “jimoto” being the Japanese word for “local area“, the new program aims to celebrate the culture, nature and local produce that make different parts of Japan so unique.Se

McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack

Turn a Samurai Mac into an expensive Omotesando gourmet burger by taking one thing out – and no, it’s not the pickles.Whether you’re in Japan or overseas, social media is filled with all sorts of food hacks at the moment, but most of the time it’s about how to add things to enhance the flavour of something rather than take things away.Right now in Japan, though, less is more, because fans of McDonald’s are currently raving about how good the Japan-exclusive Samurai Mac tastes when you take the s

Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations

Ice cream chain famous for its 31 flavors celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise with temptingly tactile treats and a salute to every starter Pokémon.As any etiquette expert knows, you can’t have a proper party without ice cream, can you? So with Pokémon celebrating its 30th birthday this year, Pikachu and friends will be stopping for supplies at Baskin-Robbins Japan.With this year being a big milestone for the franchise, Baskin-Robbins is simultaneously getting nostalgic and g