KADOKAWA is opening Studio One Base, a 4,600㎡ anime production hub housing 400 staff and five group studios inside Ikebukuro's Sunshine City in fall 2026. Part of a vision to turn Ikebukuro into a world-class anime city, the move comes as Japan's anime market hits a record ¥3.84 trillion ($24 billion). Here's what it means for fans and the global anime industry.
Hanamaruki rebranded its liquid shio koji at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, moving a gold-colored fermented seasoning that had been business-to-business only abroad into US retail with 210 ml bottles and an organic version. Can rice koji, salt and water follow miso and shoyu into the global vocabulary?
Tokyo's hit immersive show "Ninja+Kabuki Tokyo" in Shinjuku Kabukicho has unveiled a reimagined program in March 2026. With 80% of its 25,000+ audience from Western countries, this non-verbal spectacle fuses ninja mysticism with kabuki artistry. Directed by Denjiro Tanaka VII, here's everything you need to know — including tickets, access, and what makes the new show unmissable.
In 2025, a record $29 million in lost cash was turned in to Tokyo police — and over 70% was returned to owners. Discover why Japan's KOBAN police box system, Lost Property Law, and deep-rooted honesty culture make it the safest place to lose your wallet. Plus: what to do if you lose something while visiting Japan.
Kyoto City raised its accommodation tax in March 2026 — the top rate now hits $65 per person per night, a 10x jump. Here's what travelers need to know: the new 5-tier system, who pays it, where the $85 million in revenue goes, and what locals actually think.
Japan tightened its foreign driver's license conversion test in October 2025: the written exam went from 10 to 50 questions and the pass mark from 70% to 90%, a certificate of residence became mandatory, and tourists can no longer apply. National figures the police released in March 2026 show the knowledge test pass rate falling from 90% to 40% and the practical test from 30% to 10%. A look at the accidents behind the reform and how other countries handle conversion.
From April 24, 2026, Japan's transport ministry banned charging a power bank onboard an aircraft and charging other devices from one. Carry-on is capped at two units of 160Wh or less. The change follows an emergency revision of ICAO standards after the Air Busan 391 fire. Here are the rules, which breaches actually carry penalties, how to convert mAh to Wh, and the sodium-ion batteries banned outright the same day.
16-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars marked his first solo album in a decade, 'The Romantic,' with the world's only collaboration cafe, at SHIBUYA TSUTAYA in Tokyo. Album-inspired drinks, Japan-exclusive artwork, and the long list of reasons Bruno keeps coming back to Japan.
Kyoto's Uzumasa Movie Village reopened on March 28, 2026 after a 50th-anniversary overhaul, reborn as an immersive Edo-period experience park aimed at adults. It features a 360-degree real-time drama staged across the whole village, R-18 night events including a torture house and dice gambling, samurai training, a non-verbal ninja show and hands-on cultural workshops: a side of Kyoto beyond temples and shrines.
Kyoto announces Japan's first dual pricing system for city buses: residents will pay ¥200 ($1.30) while tourists face fares up to ¥400 ($2.60). With 56 million annual visitors overwhelming a city of 1.43 million, this bold overtourism measure follows global models from Venice to Bali. How do locals and the world react?
Konica Minolta's "Starry Sky Jazz Lounge" at Planetaria TOKYO in Yurakucho sold out every reserved seat it offered. Inside the 360-degree dome visuals and the live piano, saxophone and contrabass jazz that filled 90 minutes on a Friday night, plus a look at why Japan builds so many of the world's planetariums.
A box of 12 "Berrytsu" strawberries just sold for $1,800 at auction in Japan. From $10,700 grape bunches to $39,000 melon pairs, Japan's luxury fruit market defies global norms. Discover the cultural traditions, auction rituals, and branding strategies that make ultra-premium fruit a thriving business in Japan.
Japan plans to launch JESTA, its version of ESTA, during fiscal 2028, and raised its departure tax from 1,000 to 3,000 yen on July 1, 2026. Together that is roughly 6,000 yen more per visitor. Here is how the combined cost compares with ESTA, K-ETA, and ETIAS, and where the money is supposed to go.
Resales at Harumi Flag are stalling and Osaka tower mansion inventory has doubled in two years. Foreign ownership above 40%, zero-capital flipping via simultaneous registration, tighter bank screening, and 2026 data showing prices and contract rates moving apart.
A butter confection sold only at Tokyo's Haneda Airport has sparked a souvenir frenzy among international tourists. Born from repurposing skim milk that would otherwise go to waste, "Butter no Itoko" has some flying to Japan just for a taste. We explore how Japan's limited-edition treats and omiyage culture create demand worldwide.
PPAP sensation Pikotaro had a surprise encounter with world-famous DJ Steve Aoki at Tokyo's iconic Kaminarimon gate in Asakusa. Aoki approached Pikotaro first, sparking fan excitement and collaboration speculation. With Pikotaro's PPAP 10th anniversary project underway and Aoki's deep Japanese heritage, could this chance meeting lead to an epic crossover?
Pokémon GO's largest-ever real-world event, "GO Fest 2026: Tokyo," centered on Odaiba from May 29 to June 1, 2026. Tokyo Governor Koike made headlines by catching a Pokémon live during the press conference. Discover the world-first "City Exploration Ticket," event details, and what makes this 10th anniversary celebration truly historic.
Accommodation taxes are rapidly expanding across Japan. Starting March 2026, Kyoto will implement a 5-tier flat-rate system with a maximum of ¥10,000 (~$65) per night, doubling tax revenue to ¥12.6 billion. From Tokyo's shift toward percentage-based taxation to international comparisons with Canada and Austria, here's how Japan is funding sustainable tourism through hotel levies.
Japan's sumo entertainment brand HIRAKUZA debuts at Adelaide Fringe, the Southern Hemisphere's largest arts festival. With 33 performances over five weeks, this marks a major step in bringing authentic sumo culture to global audiences through immersive stage shows.
The Mundo Pixar Experience, the immersive exhibition that has drawn over 3.5 million visitors across seven countries, opened in Tokyo's Toyosu district in March 2026 and now runs through October 12. Life-size sets from Toy Story, Monsters Inc and more, plus tickets, access and what Seoul's edition revealed.