Most billion-dollar products are born in labs and boardrooms. However, the one turning 55 today was born in a backyard shed, perfected by a 61-year-old who refused to retire, and rescued from commercial failure by, of all things, a televised hostage standoff. On September 18, 1971, Nissin launched Cup Noodle at the Isetan department store in Shinjuku, the world’s first cup ramen, and Japan has spent this entire anniversary year celebrating in the most Nissin way possible: more mystery meat, mahjong tiles, and a birthday message involving an astronaut. Quick Answer: Cup Noodle, the world’s first instant ramen in a…
If your Japan trip overlaps with the next week, this is the forecast to watch. Typhoon No. 25, internationally named Dujuan, formed near the Mariana Islands on Tuesday night and is strengthening as it tracks toward Japan, with the Ogasawara Islands in its path Friday into Saturday and, depending on its course, eastern Japan including the Tokyo area exposed early next week. The timing could hardly be worse: it collides with Silver Week, Japan’s five-day autumn holiday, the first of its kind in over a decade, when tens of millions of people travel at once. Quick Answer: Typhoon Dujuan (No.…
Los Angeles baseball and Japanese monsters have flirted for decades, but on Thursday, September 24, they make it official. The Dodgers and TOHO are throwing Godzilla Minus Zero Night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for the regular-season home finale against the San Diego Padres, and the headliners are worth planning an evening around: an exclusive Godzilla bobblehead for the first 40,000 fans, and a Godzilla-themed drone show lighting up the sky over Chavez Ravine after the final out. Quick Answer: Godzilla Minus Zero Night takes place Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Dodger Stadium (Dodgers vs. Padres, 7:10 PM). The…
Every March, one movie tops the Japanese box office so reliably that families plan spring break around it. However, most Americans have never bought a ticket to a single installment. It is the Doraemon movie series, 46 films deep, and today in Japan the next one showed its cards: “Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Steam Time Locomotive” (our provisional translation) opens March 5, 2027, sending the robot cat and friends hurtling from 21st-century Japan to 19th-century London aboard a steam locomotive that travels through time. The first teaser footage dropped today, and it is exactly as charming as that sentence suggests.…
For one weekend a year, one city becomes the capital of the Pokemon world. However, this year that city is a two-hour flight from LA, and the scale is unprecedented: starting tomorrow, August 28, more than 50,000 trainers descend on San Francisco’s Moscone Center for the Pokemon World Championships 2026, running through Sunday, when, for the first time in the event’s history, the finals move into Chase Center, the NBA arena where the Golden State Warriors play. A card game born in Japan in 1996 will crown its world champions on an American basketball court. Our team is on the…
Olympic fairy tales are supposed to end on the medal podium. However, Japan’s beloved “Rikuryu” pair apparently read the script and decided it needed one more chapter. On August 23, figure skaters Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who won Japan’s first-ever Olympic pairs gold medal in Milan this February, announced their engagement, and the proposal photos stopped Japanese social media cold: Kihara on one knee on the ice, ring in hand, both of them wearing the very costumes from their gold medal free skate. Quick Answer: Riku Miura (24) and Ryuichi Kihara (34), the pair known as “Rikuryu,” announced their…
Two days ago, we framed this final as the oldest paradox in the Japanese language: the all-piercing spear of Chiben Wakayama’s offense against the all-stopping shield of Kendai Takasaki’s defense. However, when the answer finally came on Saturday in Japan, it arrived with a twist worthy of 2,300 years of waiting. Chiben Wakayama won 4-3, seizing its fourth national title in a seesaw masterpiece decided in the eighth inning, and the tournament’s most feared lineup claimed the crown without its tying or winning run ever touching a bat’s sweet spot. The spear pierced the shield, yes. But with its handle.…
Two days ago, we relayed the question consuming Japanese baseball media: can anyone stop Yokohama? However, Koshien never lets a narrative harden into fact. On Thursday, Chiben Wakayama answered in the span of three innings, knocking record-setting ace Shoki Oda out of the game with a four-run third capped by a majestic three-run homer, and rolling to a 7-1 win. Hours later, Kendai Takasaki suffocated Tenri 1-0 to reach its first summer final in school history. Saturday’s championship game is now set, and it is the purest stylistic collision this tournament can produce: the best offense in the field against…
The LA Dassai Experience, the first event of its kind in Los Angeles, is coming to Uchi West Hollywood on Sunday, October 11, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It is a rare chance to taste both the original Dassai from Yamaguchi, Japan, and Dassai Blue, brewed in New York’s Hudson Valley, side by side. Guests can enjoy them paired with Uchi’s inventive Japanese cuisine, including a limited menu made with Dassai Blue’s sake kasu (lees). Tickets are $100, and reservations are recommended early through the link below. What to Expect at the LA Dassai Experience The evening brings together classic Junmai…
The Honda-ya charity event returns to Tustin on Sunday, October 4, from 11am to 8pm, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kappo Honda. Admission is free, and the day is packed with food booths, drinks, games, and live performances. A portion of the proceeds goes to a local community fund. It is shaping up to be a lively day out, so bring the family or a group of friends and join in. What’s Happening at the Honda-ya Charity Eventrite Expect a full day of street eats, drinks, taiko drumming, live music, dance, and games, with local vendors and community organizations joining…
Los Angeles baseball and Japanese monsters have flirted for decades, but on Thursday, September 24, they make it official. The Dodgers and TOHO are throwing Godzilla Minus Zero Night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for the regular-season home finale against the San Diego Padres, and the headliners are worth planning an evening around: an exclusive Godzilla bobblehead for the first 40,000 fans, and a Godzilla-themed drone show lighting up the sky over Chavez Ravine after the final out. Quick Answer: Godzilla Minus Zero Night takes place Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Dodger Stadium (Dodgers vs. Padres, 7:10 PM). The…
. BThis season, JINS invites you to embrace effortless sophistication with our newest collection, themed around a “Noble and Clean” aesthetic. Designed for seamless everyday wear, these frames blend minimal lines, neutral tones, and intelligent detailing to bring a playful yet refined edge to your seasonal wardrobe. ▼Seasonal Items #1 Featuring light-toned, clear, and double-bridge metal frames, these versatile designs offer an airy, weightless look that effortlessly pairs with warm nude makeup, soft natural bangs, and relaxed, wavy hairstyle looks. ▼Seasonal Items #2 Highlighting sharp horizontal ovals and modern rimless silhouettes, these frames bring a sculpted edge to any look…
For one weekend a year, one city becomes the capital of the Pokemon world. However, this year that city is a two-hour flight from LA, and the scale is unprecedented: starting tomorrow, August 28, more than 50,000 trainers descend on San Francisco’s Moscone Center for the Pokemon World Championships 2026, running through Sunday, when, for the first time in the event’s history, the finals move into Chase Center, the NBA arena where the Golden State Warriors play. A card game born in Japan in 1996 will crown its world champions on an American basketball court. Our team is on the…
Easy to reach from Tokyo by public transportation, Kanagawa is the perfect getaway for travelers looking to see more of Japan. Just 30–60 minutes away, three distinct sides of Kanagawa await, from vibrant city life and rich culture to breathtaking nature. Discover a side of Japan that’s easy to reach and hard to forget!
About two hours away by train, Tochigi Prefecture invites visitors to discover a captivating mix of historic treasures, immersive culture, and scenic landscapes—an easy escape for those seeking authenticity beyond the capital.
Step Into the Action: Japan’s Ultimate Pro Wrestling Experience
Sportiva Arena Offers Unforgettable Ways to Live Your Pro-wrestling Fandom Dreams!
What is Shochu? Shochu is a spirit that features a variety of traditional ingredients drawn from Japan’s long history, offering a wide range of appealing aromas and flavors. There are two main types of Shochu: authentic Honkaku Shochu (single-distilled) and the more neutral-tasting Korui Shochu (multiple-distilled). Honkaku Shochu is crafted from a diverse array of raw, flavorful ingredients. Its alcohol by volume (ABV) typically ranges from 20% to 30%, which is lower than that of many other spirits worldwide. However, the aromas produced by different ingredients and distillation methods give Honkaku Shochu a truly memorable character. Let’s explore some of…
Yuzu is a small, highly aromatic citrus fruit native to East Asia, and it has been treasured in Japan for centuries. In modern times, it remains deeply rooted in Japan’s food culture and traditional customs. The fruit is roughly the size of a small grapefruit, with a rough, bumpy skin. As it ripens, its skin turns a vibrant yellow, releasing a powerful fragrance that can fill an entire room with just a single piece. The flavor of yuzu is uniquely complex, blending the sharp acidity of lemon, the gentle sweetness of mandarin orange, and a slight bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit.…
On November 3, 2025, Tomoshige Mizutani, Senior Advisor and Honorary Chairman of Nitto Tire USA, was inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame—one of the highest honors in the U.S. tire industry. The Hall of Fame is organized by the Tire Industry Association (TIA), a respected organization founded in 1921.
Jun 2026 (VOL.224) Carine Lantignac What is it really like to live in Japan as a foreign artist? In this I Live in Japan interview, French artist and cultural consultant Carine Lantignac shares 13 years of life in Tokyo, raising three children and building Mapponica, her art maps made from traditional Japanese paper. What do you do in Japan? I have been going through different phases of adaptations following my family needs, being the prime physical carer of my children I had to constantly find the most suitable solution. I have three children and a Japanese husband, so caring. My…
May 2026 (VOL.223) Julie Mitrovic What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I’m a coach and facilitator working with women navigating major life or career transitions. I help them reconnect with themselves and move forward with clarity and confidence, using a blend of somatic coaching and Positive Psychology. I support them in those in-between moments where the old version no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully emerged yet. After 10 years working in Admin and HR, I wanted to deepen my impact, so I started a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology…
Anime Expo 2026 Special Feature The Front Line of Anime Music Yoko Takahashi × Yoko Kanno Special Interview Anime Expo 2026, one of the world’s largest anime events, will take place in Los Angeles from July 2 to 6. Among its most anticipated stages is J-POP SOUND CAPSULE, where acclaimed Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi and celebrated composer Yoko Kanno will appear. Yoko Takahashi continues to captivate fans around the world with “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” the iconic theme song from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Yoko Kanno, meanwhile, is the composer behind the music of landmark anime works such as Cowboy Bebop…
April 2026 (VOL.222) Mathilde DUBOIIS What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I co-founded tokimeki LLC with Alice Agnellet. We support foreign entities’ operations in Japan, mostly events-related. We do language and cultural support, and action our networks to best support our clients’ needs. Some of our main projects include : international competitions pre-camp (Olympics, World Aquatics), product launch on-trade dinners (Baron Philippe de Rothschild), Project Management (Cezars Kitchen for Osaka EXPO)… Before tokimeki, I worked for Kanazawa City as a Coordinator for International Relations for 7 years which forged most of my…
Easy to reach from Tokyo by public transportation, Kanagawa is the perfect getaway for travelers looking to see more of Japan. Just 30–60 minutes away, three distinct sides of Kanagawa await, from vibrant city life and rich culture to breathtaking nature. Discover a side of Japan that’s easy to reach and hard to forget!
One’s Rent-A-Car is now offering a special plan for fans heading to a Dodgers game, and it comes with something the big American rental chains do not: the attentive, Japanese-style service you would expect back home. The plan bundles a rental car with game tickets and stadium parking in one deal, and every location is staffed by Japanese-speaking team members, so booking, pickup, and any questions along the way all happen in your language. Why Rent from One’s Rent-A-Car For anyone who misses the reliability and thoughtful touches of renting a car in Japan, this is the closest thing in…
For anyone following Japan today, the news is serious. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan at 4:27 PM local time on July 28, registering the maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s seismic scale, the first quake to hit that level since the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. Rescue operations are underway tonight, including at a shopping mall where an explosion followed the quake. This article covers what is confirmed so far, the essential context, and, most importantly, what to do if you or someone you know is traveling in Kyushu right now. The Kumamoto earthquake 2026 is…
A long-term stay in Gardena just got easier. New Gardena Hotel, winner of the Rakuten Travel Gold Award 2025, now offers a new extended-stay plan built for comfortable long-term living. The plan runs $1,800 per month, with water and utilities included. What the Long-Term Stay in Gardena Includes The plan comes with the amenities you want for a longer stay, including high-speed internet, TV, washlet bidet toilets, and covered parking. It is a practical base for a business trip or a temporary home while you are between places. The hotel sits about 15 minutes from LAX, with Japanese, Korean, and…
A Takayama Festival tour is now available from Japan Deluxe Tours, built around one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. Travelers get an up-close look at the lavishly decorated floats and the karakuri puppet dedication, along with the lively traditional performances that fill the streets during the celebration. What the Takayama Festival Tour Includes The next departure runs from October 5 to 14, with an itinerary that travels through Tokyo, Nagano, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. Check the link below for full details. About the Tour Operator Japan Deluxe Tours ・Website: japandeluxetours.com Related ArticlesJapan Now! The Three Views of Japan, a…
The ANA Los Angeles route has reached its 40th anniversary, and the airline marked the milestone with a commemorative ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport that opened with a taiko drum performance. General Manager Yoshiyuki Hirooka took the stage to express his gratitude and to reaffirm the airline’s commitment to safe operations. Four Decades of the ANA Los Angeles Route ANA launched international service in 1986, and the Los Angeles route took off on July 16 of that same year. Today, counting flights out of Haneda, three daily flights connect Tokyo and Los Angeles. About the Airline ANA (All Nippon…
For most Angelenos, fireworks mean exactly one night a year. Consumer fireworks are illegal in the City of Los Angeles, so the Fourth of July show is it: one evening of color, then eleven months of waiting. However, in Japan, fireworks season is just getting started in mid-July, and it will not stop until November. This year roughly 900 fireworks festivals, called hanabi taikai, will light up the country, and a single viral post listing this summer’s schedule has racked up over 3.4 million views. Quick Answer: Japan holds hundreds of major fireworks festivals every summer, with the biggest concentrated…
For decades, Shibuya has been shorthand for everything new in Japan: the scramble crossing, youth fashion, neon-soaked nightlife. However, on the evening of August 8, the district will do something radically old. The streets around SHIBUYA109 will close to traffic, a wooden yagura tower will rise in the middle of the road, and thousands of people in yukata will dance in circles to songs their great-grandparents knew. This is Bon Odori, and it is one of Japan’s oldest living traditions. Quick Answer: Bon Odori is the traditional circle dance of Obon, Japan’s midsummer festival honoring ancestral spirits. Shibuya Bon Odori…
Hakata ramen in Rosemead is going half price for two days only. Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen Rosemead is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a thank-you sale on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, from 10am to 11pm. The signature Hakata ramen drops to $6.88, half of its regular $13.75, for dine-in only. Just 1,000 half-price bowls are served each day, and the restaurant runs on a limited menu during the event. How to Get the Half-Price Hakata Ramen in Rosemead The deal is dine-in only, and with 1,000 bowls a day up for grabs, lines are expected. If you would…
The LA Dassai Experience, the first event of its kind in Los Angeles, is coming to Uchi West Hollywood on Sunday, October 11, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It is a rare chance to taste both the original Dassai from Yamaguchi, Japan, and Dassai Blue, brewed in New York’s Hudson Valley, side by side. Guests can enjoy them paired with Uchi’s inventive Japanese cuisine, including a limited menu made with Dassai Blue’s sake kasu (lees). Tickets are $100, and reservations are recommended early through the link below. What to Expect at the LA Dassai Experience The evening brings together classic Junmai…
The Honda-ya charity event returns to Tustin on Sunday, October 4, from 11am to 8pm, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kappo Honda. Admission is free, and the day is packed with food booths, drinks, games, and live performances. A portion of the proceeds goes to a local community fund. It is shaping up to be a lively day out, so bring the family or a group of friends and join in. What’s Happening at the Honda-ya Charity Eventrite Expect a full day of street eats, drinks, taiko drumming, live music, dance, and games, with local vendors and community organizations joining…
Zespri kiwifruit delivers a burst of sweetness and rich aroma in every bite, and it makes a perfect pick as the weather cools. In fact, a single Zespri SunGold kiwifruit provides all the vitamin C you need in a day. Delicious SunGold, Green, and Organic varieties are on sale now at supermarkets near you. Why Zespri Kiwifruit Is a Fall Favorite Beyond its naturally sweet flavor, kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-dense fruits around, and the vitamin C in a Zespri SunGold makes it an easy way to support your immune system as the seasons change. The website is…
Why You Shouldn’t Miss “TORIKI SUMMER FEST 2026” Japan’s famous Yakitori Restaurant “Torikizoku” is hosting “TORIKI SUMMER FEST 2026” serving up an exclusive summer lineup that iconic Japanese street food! 🎆Toriki Dogs (Hot Dog Combos): -Yakisoba Dog: Japanese yakisoba noodles in a hot dog bun. -Yakitori Dog (Kizokuyaki Cheese/Chili Yakitori Dog): Toriki’s signature skewers served in a bun with melted cheese or chili. 🎆Toriki Rangers 5-Color JUMBO Floats: Nostalgic drink floats topped with ice cream and a cherry, available in five fun colors: Green Melon Soda, Blue Ramune, Red Watermelon, Black Cola, and Yellow Mango Peach. What is Torikizoku? Founded in Osaka in 1985, Torikizoku (Toriki) is one of…
Ichiza is celebrating its 25th anniversary! From flame-grilled yakitori skewers and fresh sashimi, Ichiza captures the ultimate spirit of Japanese pub culture. Every dish highlights their attention to detail, featuring carefully simmered broths, house-crafted sauces, and specialty desserts that bring out the true depth of authentic Japanese izakaya cuisine. To thank the community, Ichiza is filling the entire month with special menu weeks, unique pop-ups, and unforgettable cultural events. 25th anniversary Event Lineup – September 7–13: Wagyu Special Week Wagyu beef available for one week only. – September 10: The Official 25th Anniversary Day As a special thank-you to all guests, everyone…