All About Japan

SoraNews24

SoraNews24

All About SoraNews24
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SoraNews24 is a bilingual news blog. Since our humble launch in 2008 we’ve built a massive fan base by reporting the interesting, strange and random.
Tourists Can Finally Buy JR Rail Passes Online

Tourists Can Finally Buy JR Rail Passes Online

After years of complicated and added-expense hoops to jump through, JR will start letting international travelers buy their passes online and inside their home countries.

Tiny Tokyo Apartments Are Surprisingly Popular

Tiny Tokyo Apartments Are Surprisingly Popular

Ququri studio apartments offer just 4.64 square meters (49.94 square feet) of usable floor space, but with prices this low, it’s all some people need.

Stay Warm This Winter with Oden-Scented Powder

Stay Warm This Winter with Oden-Scented Powder

Why take a trip to the convenience store when you’ve got the tools for self-love right at home? Bookstore and miscellaneous goods shop Village Vanguard is back at it with their bath powder shenanigans.

GU Launches Stylish Nostalgic PlayStation Line

GU Launches Stylish Nostalgic PlayStation Line

Now available from the little sister of cheap fashion company Uniqlo, these charming GU pieces feature the PlayStation console’s logo, iconic controller button designs, and prints from flagship Sony games.

The Perfect Gifts for the Jedi in Your Family

The Perfect Gifts for the Jedi in Your Family

Japanese fashion brand unveils Star Wars items just in time for new film, The Rise of the Skywalker.

Get Lucky with Starbucks' New Years Drink

Get Lucky with Starbucks' New Years Drink

It’s all about fortune and fun for the first New Year of Reiwa!

2019 Ranking of Japan's Rudest Train Behaviors

2019 Ranking of Japan's Rudest Train Behaviors

Every year, commuters participate in an annual survey to determine the most aggravating behaviors observed on trains and at stations. Learn what not to do on Japanese transportation with the 2019 poll results.

Graffiti Pikachu at Shibuya's Pokémon Center

Graffiti Pikachu at Shibuya's Pokémon Center

The newest Pokémon Center in Shibuya, within walking distance from the Scramble intersection, also has giant Mewtwo in a research tube waiting to greet guests.

Uniqlo's Dragon Ball UT Collection Debuts

Uniqlo's Dragon Ball UT Collection Debuts

November 22 is the release date for Uniqlo's awesome new line of Dragon Ball T-shirts and hoodies.

3-D Model of Famous Ukiyo-e Print Making Waves

3-D Model of Famous Ukiyo-e Print Making Waves

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" has been admired by people all over the world for centuries, now it’s being viewed in an entirely new light, thanks to a Japanese artist who recently recreated the image in 3-D form.

Introducing Gold Caramel Tokyo Banana Kit Kats

Introducing Gold Caramel Tokyo Banana Kit Kats

Back in 2017, the most famous souvenir snack in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo Banana, made news when it teamed up with Nestlé Japan to create a never-before-seen Tokyo Banana Kit Kat. Now, the two companies are going for the gold!

Current Harajuku Station to Be Demolished

Current Harajuku Station to Be Demolished

Back in June 2016, East Japan Railway announced it would be rebuilding Harajuku Station ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and after three years of consultations, the fate of Tokyo’s oldest wooden station building has finally been revealed.

AKB48 Café Suddenly Closing After 8 Years

AKB48 Café Suddenly Closing After 8 Years

AKB48, Japan’s most popular idol group, gets its name from having 48 core members and being based in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, which is nicknamed Akiba. However, the neighborhood is going to be losing a big piece of its AKB48 connection very soon.

All-You-Can-Eat KFC Coming to Tokyo

All-You-Can-Eat KFC Coming to Tokyo

All the fried chicken you can eat (plus all the beer you can drink), whenever you want it!

These Cat Pajamas Are 'The Cat's Meow'

These Cat Pajamas Are 'The Cat's Meow'

Designers at Felissimo, Japan’s leading cat-themed lifestyle brand, are a constant source of fun and cozy fashion. And they’ve just released their new High-Class Siamese Cat Room One-Piece.

Evolve Your Wardrobe with These Pokémon Socks

Evolve Your Wardrobe with These Pokémon Socks

Here comes a new line of Pokémon socks—and these aren’t some chintzy for-kids souvenirs from the 100 yen shop. These are proper grown-up quality socks from Socks Appeal Japan.

Get to Know Japan’s Top 10 Buzzwords of 2019

Get to Know Japan’s Top 10 Buzzwords of 2019

The candidates for the top ten catchphrases that defined Reiwa's first year are here. Who knew bubble tea could be a verb?

Can You Survive on Only ¥150,000 a Month?

Can You Survive on Only ¥150,000 a Month?

Is ¥150,000 (US$1,389) a month enough to live on in Tokyo? That’s plenty for life in Japan’s capital, claims a twenty-something Japanese woman. But could you live like her?

Adorable Mame Shiba Banknotes

Adorable Mame Shiba Banknotes

This Shiba Inu currency becomes so popular it gets its very own line of merchandise.

Learn Some New Hand Puppetry... or 'Poop-etry'

Learn Some New Hand Puppetry... or 'Poop-etry'

The poop emoji has long been a favorite among people in Japan, but now you don't need type it out⁠—just use your hands.

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