Many crossovers we see consisting of Japanese entertainment giants seem like they would be a natural fit, as seen with the merchandise and events that…

There are already numerous platforms allowing anyone with a smartphone to create a virtual avatar and become a Virtual Youtuber. However, while some apps allow…

Rilakkuma, a portmanteau of the English word ‘relax’, and the Japanese word ‘kuma’, meaning bear, is known for taking it easy. This cute, fuzzy bear…

Perhaps tapping into the huge popularity of the recently released customizable Pokémon T-shirts collection, a new lineup of Pokémon maternity and baby clothing and goods…

Written by Sara Doel for JAPAN Forward The pub — short for “public house” — has long been established as part of daily life in…

It’s been one year since the LINE FRIENDS flagship store in Harajuku opened and started offering three floors of the cutest character goods around. As…

Japanese Voices 日本語のままクールジャパン is a regular series designed for learners of Japanese to enjoy real Japanese language programming from Nippon Broadcasting System, one of the…

While you may think that maid cafes are mostly alike, there is one establishment in Akihabara that many believe represents the gold standard of high…

Whether you count yourself among the legions of fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion who appreciate the epic soundtrack by Shiro Sagisu, or you’re just a…

There’s plenty of Sanrio shops in Tokyo already, but this one may be a bit harder to miss. The tourist haven of Asakusa, patronised by…

Streaming Noodles: A Summer Tradition Nagashi soumen 流しそうめん is a Japanese tradition, typically enjoyed in summer, in which thin white noodles made of wheat and…

Popular Japanese fashion retailer UNIQLO has built of quite a reputation among movie and video game fans with their UT shirt designs, and their latest…

The acclaimed mangaka Junji Ito has carved out a place for himself in the hearts of horror fans both at home and abroad, based not…

Japanese Voices 日本語のままクールジャパン is a regular series designed for learners of Japanese to enjoy real Japanese language programming from Nippon Broadcasting System, one of the…

Instant noodle giant Nissin always has its finger on the pulse of pop culture, as it has demonstrated time and time again through collaborations with…