All About Japan

Yanbaru Forest Toy Museum in Okinawa

This toy museum on the northern end of Okinawa's main island is basically a big room full of wooden toys!

You're Never Too Old to Cosplay

66-year-old Tomoaki Kohguchi proves that as long as you're young at heart, and have the dexterity to sew, anyone can cosplay!

54 Fun Things to Do in Japan!

Japan is filled with quirky and fun bucket-list-worthy things to do, with countless sights, shrines, parks, gardens, restaurants, museums and neighborhoods to explore. Here are the 54 fun things to do in Japan!

Experience the Onbashira Festival—Safely!

This Nagano festival frequently results in deaths when it’s held every six years. Now you can experience the ride firsthand—and safely—at any time of year.

5 Ways to Unwind at the Phoenix Seagaia Resort

With so many amazing activities for all ages—from golf and hot springs to zoos a Pokémon hunt—here are our Top 5 reasons to make your way to this one-of-a-kind resort in Miyazaki!

A Magical Hotel Stay

Ikenotaira Hotel, facing Shirakaba Lake in Nagano Prefecture, has created a special suite that's fit for a magical girl!

Anime Themes via World-Class Violin

Internationally recognized violinist Ayako Ishikawa covers some of the greatest anime themes of all time—with a little bit of thrash!

Hatsune Miku Teaches Summer Pocky Techniques

In this adorable commercial, Vocaloid idol Hatsune Miku offers an extra-sweet tip on how to enjoy your chocolate sticks this summer. First step: don't eat them right away!

Music to Ghibli Fans' Ears

Thinking about getting some Ghibli merchandise? Look no further than these adorable music boxes that feature songs from three popular Ghibli films.

Stylish Naruto Bags Have Arrived!

Whether you're packing school supplies or throwing stars, these bags are perfect for Naruto fans!

3 Awesome Ways to Get Good Luck in Tottori

Head to Tottori for bunny-ear 'omamori'—or 'ema' plaques in the shape of spirits from 'GeGeGe no Kitaro'! And if you've got a memory you'd rather put in the past, why not just set it afloat? Find out how!

The (Recent) Evolution of Anime Eyes

Pokémon digital illustrator Naoki Saito offers an eye-opening account of how Japanese manga and anime eyes have changed over the years.

Magikarp Appears in Undignified Places

The pitifully weak Pokémon has been showing up in some embarrassing places, including one that shows a preference for a rival company’s video games.

10 Things to Buy at This Tokyo Pokémon Center

If you’re saving up your yennies for a trip to the the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store, here are some of the awesome items available to purchase.

6 Traditional Japanese Tabletop Games

Stuck inside on a rainy day? Play these classic Japanese tabletop games while listening to the relaxing sound of the drops outside!

Cheap & Lazy Hack for Pokémon Go

For one creative Twitter user, walking around isn't the only way to hatch Pokémon Go eggs.

100 Yen: The Japanese Arcade Experience

In a culture famous for miniaturization, arcades in Japan conversely seem to go bigger, brighter, louder and increasingly diverse—as this documentary on the history of arcade games reveals.

Make the Most of the World Cosplay Summit

Visiting Nagoya this August for WCS 2016? Find out cool things to do in the city (and beyond!) to make sure you make the most of your time in Japan, whether you cosplay or not!

Ghibli Celebrates 30 Years of Filmmaking

Studio Ghibli celebrates 30 years of filmmaking with a Roppongi exhibition filled with tons of memorabilia, Ghibli-themed food and limited-edition toys!

How to Use Manga Pens

Learn how to get started with the most essential manga tools right here!

know-before-you-go