What’s the most satisfying part of Japan to visit? Japanese locals make a surprising pick【Survey】

Kyoto drops out of the top 10 in annual survey. Every year, Japanese travel booking agency Jalan, through its Jalan Research Center, conducts a survey among Japanese domestic travelers, asking them which... Read more »

How Europe lost an area the size of Cyprus to wildfires this year

Patricia Lamela was driving back to the Galician town of Larouco in northwest Spain when she got the call. It was Aug. 13, just before 7 p.m., and a neighbor told her... Read more »

Inside the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025

Expo 2025 is full of surprises. Some pavilions show off their high-tech achievements dramatically, while others lean into history and traditional cultures. The Nordic Pavilion, named the Nordic Circle, offers something different:... Read more »

Naomi Osaka Defeated in Dramatic US Open Semifinal

In this week’s news roundup we report on Naomi Osaka who lost her US Open semifinal to Amanda Anisimova after winning the first set. Takeshi Niinami steps down as Suntory CEO despite... Read more »

Braving a Japanese national fireworks competition with 10x more people than the city population

Small town turns into major city for one night. In Japan, late summer is often the season for major displays of fireworks, and the Omagari Fireworks, held at the end of August,... Read more »

Upcoming Tokyo Exhibitions and Art Shows: September 2025

A look at upcoming exhibitions and art shows across Tokyo for the month of September. Whether you want to see some traditional Japanese art or a modern exhibit, here’s everything worth checking... Read more »

What To See in Tokyo Galleries This September: Our Picks

As one of the world’s leading art cities, Tokyo is home to a myriad of incredible galleries featuring works by renowned and emerging artists. The best part is that, unlike museums, most... Read more »

Here’s How To Get Tickets

Pokemon fans have a lot to look forward to in 2026. From the PokePark Kanto theme park, to a teased Pikachu Lego set, to now — an official concert with one of... Read more »

Man Forgets Who He Is After Waking Up in Shimane Mountains

A Japanese man appeared in a TV interview this week to appeal for information regarding his identity. Around two months ago, he woke up with a severe headache in a shrub along... Read more »

How a Robot Cat Became Japan’s Mickey Mouse

Only a handful of fictional characters can completely bewitch audiences in such a way that they are able to transcend time with generations of loyal fans. These characters break the cultural zeitgeist... Read more »