Japan's popular castle increases ticket prices by 200% for non-locals.

Himeji Castle's admission prices will significantly increase for non-locals, while visitors under 18 can enter for free.

Hachiko statue in Shibuya will be covered for New Year's Eve; pedestrian barricades added.

Shibuya Ward will not hold New Year’s Eve events and limits access to reduce crowds and enhance security.

Japanese man dines at same beef bowl restaurant for 1,800+ days.

A man has eaten at Sukiya daily for over five years, maintaining good health despite initially gaining some weight.

Japanese city brightens prostitution street with yellow paint and fish art.

Osaka painted a street bright yellow to discourage tachinbo prostitution and encourage visibility, reducing sightings in the area.

Study explores happiest city in Japan for foreigners.

Ibaraki's first Foreign Resident Happiness Index reveals it ranks fourth in Japan, emphasizing diverse outcomes across work, living, and learning.

Toyota's humanoid robot earns second Guinness World Record for basketball skills.

Toyota's basketball-playing robot, CUE, has set world records but still needs to improve mobility and human-like skills.

Japan's Kanji of the Year for 2024 reflects the year's positive and negative aspects.

The 2024 Kanji of the Year is 金, representing Japan's Olympic success and economic challenges, with 災 and 翔 as runners-up.

Marijuana use illegal in Japan; 7-year prison sentence possible.

Japan’s new cannabis rules legalize medical use but impose stricter penalties, making recreational use and possession punishable by up to seven years.

Japanese man arrested for fraud using AI female persona to sell dating advice.

A man's fraudulent online persona highlights how virtual interactions can lead to real-life consequences and deception.

Family Mart introduces fried chicken in school lunches for anniversary in Japan.

Family Mart's Famichiki will be served in Sayama's public schools on December 19-20 to celebrate the store's 70th anniversary.

Japanese government classifies "not paying dating expenses" as domestic violence.

The Gender Equality Bureau in Japan defines various types of violence, stirring debate over whether not paying on dates constitutes economic violence.

Japan's Suica card system is transitioning to tapless walk-through gates using location data.

JR East plans to introduce walk-through gates for Suica users within the next 10 years for improved convenience.