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After decades of delighting fans in Asia, Pokémon store heads to a new continent.

It’s impossible to overstate how much of a pop cultural institution Pokémon is in Japan. Between the anime, video games, cards, and mountains of plushies, Pokémon has been sparking the imaginations and warming the hearts of multiple generations of fans, and if any of them are looking for some cool new merch, they can pop into any of the roughly two dozen Pokémon specialty stores Japan has, stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south.

But the franchise has grown into a massive success overseas as well, and the Pokémon Company has announced that it will finally be opening the first-ever permanent Pokémon store outside of Asia, and London is the lucky city that’s receiving the honor.

In Japan, Pokémon specialty stores come in three types: Pokémon Center megastores, moderately sized Pokémon Stores, and compact Pokémon Center Satellites. It’s not clear which, if any, of those classes the London store will fall into, but the official announcement says it will be a “Pokémon retail destination” and “the ultimate destination for Pokémon fans and include a variety of exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind experiences for Trainers of all ages,” so the plan is clearly for something much grander in scale and ambition than a glorified souvenir stand.

This will make the U.K. the fourth country with a permanent Pokémon. store, with the other non-Japan shops being in Taiwan (Taipei) and Singapore. In addition to the London location, the Pokémon Company says it’s also planning to launch “several” other branches outside Asia.

Unfortunately, the London Pokémon store isn’t scheduled to open until 2029, but that again speaks to the likelihood that it’s probably going to be a large-scale project, and if there’s anyone worth waiting for, it’s Pikachu, right?

Source: Pokémon official website
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If you’re planning a trip to Japan soon, you’ll have a better chance of seeing A Night in the Valley of Witches.

Studio Ghibli is world-famous for its feature-length anime movies, but what a lot of fans don’t know is that the studio has a roster of animated shorts that are just as captivating. These rare beauties are like hidden gems for Ghibli hunters, as they’re screened at just two places in the world — the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture. Making them even more of a rarity is the fact that the museum and park screen the shorts one at a time, with the line-up usually changing monthly.

▼ My Neighbour Totoro sequel Mei and the Kittenbus is one such short film.

Now, though, Ghibli Park is making an exception to the rule, by extending the screening period for the studio’s newest short, A Night in the Valley of Witches, which debuted at Cinema Orion inside Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse in July. The movie has been so well-received that the park now says it’s decided to extend the run right through to June 2027, giving fans more time to view this newest Ghibli gem.

Although this particular film is exclusive to Ghibli Park, there really is no better place in the world to see it, as the storyline is set in the park’s own Valley of Witches area.

▼ The area honours Ghibli’s witchy characters with buildings like the bakery from Kiki’s Delivery Service.

According to the synopsis, A Night in the Valley of Witches follows the story of a new recruit at the park, who receives a surprising number of requests to repair numerous buildings on the grounds. While carrying out the repairs, a number of odd things occur – a fireplace comes alight on its own and water gushes spontaneously from the taps.

Though he’s shaken by what’s going on, one of his senior colleagues, Kikue, dismisses his concerns, until one night at midnight, after the park closes, he heads to the Valley of Witches, where he finds Kikue clad in a cape. Kikue reveals herself to be a witch and then chants a spell, setting the stage for some mysterious magic…

With Valley of the Witches being a real-life area of the park, watching the film in this setting is a real treat for fans, especially at Halloween, when there will be a special after-dark outdoor screening of the film within the area. Outside of the special Halloween event, which is a children-only affair, the screening will take place at Cinema Orion, which isn’t too far from the Valley of Witches, so you’ll still be immersed in the world of Ghibli while you watch it.

The extended run is welcome news for Ghibli fans, because the additional time gives visitors more chance of catching the film while planning their trips. Ghibli Park tickets must be booked in advance, with reservations generally opening at 2 p.m. on the 10th of each month for visits two months later. Tickets are still expected to be in high demand, though, so you’ll want to book early to make sure you don’t miss the run, although our fingers are firmly crossed that they might consider extending it even further, to give even more fans the chance to see it.

Related: Ghibli Park official website
Source: Ghibli Park
Featured image: PR Times
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Regulations would be similar to those for phone taps.

The Japanese cabinet has approved a bill that would grant expanded remote analysis powers to investigators. “Remote analysis” might sound like the police will be getting better long-distance camera lenses, or maybe using some sort of new IT system to get lab work done without having to transport physical evidence to/from an outside facility, but this regulatory amendment is specifically for allowing the police to analyze electronic devices used for messaging apps without being in possession of the device itself.

In other words, the bill is to allow the Japanese police to hack people’s phones.

Proponents of the amendment say such expanded powers are necessary in order to combat the rapidly increasing activities of criminal groups known as tokuryu. Formed from the words tokumei (anonymous) and ryudo (fluid), tokuryu groups operate with ringleaders recruiting participants for criminal acts via encrypted messaging apps. Instead of a regular crew of accomplices, ringleaders often employ members on a one-time basis, treating criminal activities like gig-based part-time jobs. The lack of in-person meetings makes traditional preventive surveillance by the police, such as stakeouts or tapped phone lines, virtually useless in acquiring usable information, and even when the individuals who directly carried out a crime are caught, it’s difficult for questioning to lead investigators back to the ringleaders, as those recruited to do the job may not themselves known who their illicit employer is.

So on October 16, the Cabinet approved a bill to allow the police to remotely hack phones and examine encrypted messaging app data they suspect is being used to plan a crime. This isn’t carte blanche to go looking through anyone’s phones they want, though. Much like with wiretaps, the bill requires investigators to obtain a warrant from a judge prior to conducting the hack. Acquisition of a warrant would be dependent on factors such as urgency and difficulty of obtaining the information through alternate methods, and warrants would only be issued for crimes of suitable seriousness, such as robbery or fraud, and only specially skilled investigators designated by the National Police Agency’s commissioner general would be authorized to perform the hacks.

By utilizing these expanded powers, investigators hope to be able to obtain information such as the names and addresses of tokuryu members planning crimes, as well as information regarding specific methodology, such as weapons to be used, and identify victims, all of which they believe can be used to stop the crimes before they occur. Data deemed to be irrelevant to criminal activity will not be retained by the police, according to the structure of the bill.

Following the bill’s approval by the Cabinet on October 16, it has been introduced to the current parliamentary session of the Japanese diet, where it is expected to be approved and go into effect sometime within the next six months.

Sources: Teleasa News via Jin, Yomiuri Shimbun
Top image: Pakutaso
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Slowpoke will naturally, though, be arriving a little later than Pikachu and Diglett.

It’s become a yearly tradition for Mister Donut, Japan’s favorite donut chain, to bake up batches of Pokémon donuts as we get into the back half of autumn.

Every year sees the return of the Pikachu donut, because you can’t have a Poké-party and not invite the face of the franchise. So with Mister Donut having just announced its Pokémon lineup for 2026, one of the treats is, naturally, the Fluffy Pikachu donut, filled with whipped cream and covered in custard-flavored chocolate flakes. This year, for the first time ever, the donut’s rosy cheeks are rendered with a pair of chewy strawberry gummies.

But Pikachu never shows up to Mister Donut alone, as the chain always has at least one other Pocket Monster species represented in its collaboration lineup. So on the same day as fans can start munching on the Fluffy Pikachu, they can also chow down on the Pon de Alolan Diglett.

The Pon de Alolan Diglett is a crossover within a crossover, placing a Diglett inside one of Mister Donut’s flagship Pon de Ring donuts (made up of a ring of eight balls of dough) so that the semi-subterranean-situated Pokémon looks like it’s bursting forth from the earth, with a sprinkling of crunchy chocolate bits playing the part of rocks and rubble. Unlike the Diglett donut from 2024, this one is an Alolan version, differentiated by the tuft on top of its head, and the coatings of caramel and chocolate, plus the Diglett’s custard cream filling, give you a variety of rich flavors to enjoy.

Both the Pikachu and Diglett donuts go on sale via pre-orders (via the Mister Donut website or app) on October 27, with in-store pickup dates from November 2 followed by walk-in availability on November 4. There’s also one more Pokémon donut in the works, but it won’t be going on sale until a few later. That lackadaisical attitude is totally appropriate, though, because it’s a Slowpoke donut!

▼ “Let’s take it nice and slow,” says the Slowpoke donut announcement.

Yes, Slowpoke, whose bragging rights include holding the highest political office of any Pokémon species, is adding to its resume by making its Mister Donut debut. The Slowpoke Donut is a creampuff-like confectionary with a white chocolate coating, dusting of strawberry milk sugar, whipped cream ears, and chocolate eyes and nose. Preorders for it can be made from November 18 for pickup dates starting November 23, and walk-in sales start November 25.

And for fans who want to look at Pokémon, but not necessarily eat them, there’s the Pokémon Assemble donut, a soft, angel food cake-like donut with a chocolate coating, whipped and custard creams inside, and four different adorable Pokémon illustration designs for its wrapper, which goes on sale at the same time as the Pikachu and Diglett donuts.

The Pikachu and Slowpoke donuts are priced at 345 yen (US$2.20) for takeout or 352 yen for eat-in, while the Alolan Diglelt is 367/374 yen and the Pokémon Assemble 237/242 yen. If you’re willing to shell out a little extra, though, there are also two different Pokémon donut/merch bundles. The 2,200-yen “Goods Set” includes your choice of any two of the Pikachu, Diglett, and Pokémon Assemble donuts, plus one Pon de Wreath (another Pon de Ring variation, this one with sprinkles and either caramel or white chocolate coating), and your choice of one of two Pokémon blanket patterns.

▼ The blankets measure 100 x 82 centimeters (39.4 x 32.3 inches)

There’s also a 1,180-yen “Kids’ Goods Set,” with one Pokémon donut, one Pon de Wreath, and a child-size drinking glass. Both sets can be preordered starting October 27, with pickup dates from November 2.

Finally, Mister Donut will have Pokémon-illustration takeout boxes overlapping with the availability of the Pokémon donuts, while supplies last.

Similarly, the donuts themselves will be available for a limited, but unspecified, time while supplies last, so, as always, the wise thing to do is to eat dessert as soon as possible.

Related: Mister Donut
Source, images: PR Times
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The park’s Garden Fest 2026 -Autumn- event is enveloped in a sea of fire this year that’s perfect for making fall memories.

’Tis the season for kochia (bassia scoparia), nicknamed kokia in Japanese and firebush in English, to have their moment in the spotlight. Mt. Hakodate’s Kokia Park in Shiga Prefecture and Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki are two of the most famous places for viewing kokia in all of their crimson, autumn glory, but this year, a locale in Kobe promises to raise a colorful challenge.

Situated at an elevation of 400 meters (1,434 feet), Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway’s Garden Fest 2026 -Autumn- event from September 12 through December 6 is well underway, but now through the end of October is the peak time to see the kokia looking like they’re on fire. The grounds have three main areas where kokia have been incorporated into the landscaping, including the following spot right outside of the park’s Glass House where they take center stage.

▼ Flames of crimson

It’s a perfect spot to take a photo looking like you’re engulfed in flames.

The second spot is the Windy Hill Lawn Plaza, a windswept spot on slightly higher grounds with Kobe’s modern cityscape in the background.

Here, you can recline in hammocks while admiring the contrast of vivid red and skyscraper silver.

While lounging, enjoy lazily watching the gondolas pass by on the ropeway as well.

The third spot is by one of the flower and herb gardens where the kokia mingle with their other fall cousins like the silver cock’s comb pictured below.

▼ Kokia with orange zinnias

The gardens are home to approximately 200 kinds of plants and 75,000 individual herbs and flowers, so your eyes will never tire of the different color combinations.

The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is currently following its fall season hours through November 6, which are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) on weekdays and 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.) on weekends. The ropeway opens at 9:30 a.m. and the last ride down is at 5:15 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends. A standard entrance fee for one adult with a round-trip ropeway ticket and entrance to the Herb Garden is 2,500 yen for adults (US$16) and 1,250 yen for children (elementary through junior high school), though there are some discounts for those entering after 5 p.m. who wish to view the gardens only.

For some gastronomic fun while you’re in Kobe, consider stopping by this retro eatery specializing in sobameshi that we recently enjoyed.

Park information
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway / 神戸布引ハーブ園／ロープウェイ
Address: Hyogo-ken, Kobe-shi, Chuo-ku, Kitano-cho 1-4-3
兵庫県神戸市中央区北野町 1-4-3
Website

Source, images: PR Times
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This site takes traditional architecture to new heights, like a Ghibli world come to life.

We’re always on the hunt for hidden gems and little-known sights in Japan, so when we heard about a teahouse that was suspended in the air, we immediately sent our reporter Natsuno Futon over to Nagano Prefecture to check it out.

Called the “Flying Mud Boat”, the unusual structure is tucked away in Chino City, on a plot of land that houses two other equally charming teahouses. The setting is so whimsical that it feels like a Ghibli world come to life, with calming hues and natural materials helping the buildings blend into the surrounding greenery.

▼  The first sight to greet you is a boat-like object that literally hangs in the air.

This is Sora Tobu Dorobune, which translates as Flying Mud Boat, and it was designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori.

Ever since his student days, Fujimori had always wanted to build something that floated in midair, and he finally got the chance to bring the idea to life when he created the Flying Mud Boat in 2010 to coincide with an exhibition.

From a distance, the architectural creation looks like it’s floating, but up close you can appreciate all the finer details, including the wire structure that holds it in place.

▼ On one side there are doors, which act as a small entrance into the structure.

The interior isn’t normally open to the public, but during special guided tours, a ladder is used so people can climb up to the boat and crawl inside.

▼ A beautiful spot for a teahouse.

As it turns out, the Flying Mud Boat isn’t the only unusual building in the area, as there are several other distinctive structures nearby, als0 designed by Fujimori.

One of these structures is a teahouse, cutely named Takasugian, which roughly translates as “Too-High Teahouse”.

▼ Nestled in amongst the treetops, this is another functioning teahouse in a dream setting.

This structure sits way above ground, perched atop two trees in such a whimsical manner that you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the world of Studio Ghibli.

Ghibli’s animated feature movies are filled with architectural wonders that seem to defy all the rules, and this structure brings the same sort of anime wizardry to life in the real world. Despite the precarious look of it, the teahouse is structurally sound, but it’s located so high up that even looking at it from ground level is enough to make your heart skip a beat.

▼ Takasugi-an was once chosen by TIME magazine as one of the “Top 10 Most Dangerous Buildings in the World”, with the Leaning Tower of Pisa taking first place.

From a teahouse that’s too high comes one that’s too low, with the next structure being partly built underground.

Called Hikusugian , or “Too-Low Teahouse”, this is the complete opposite of Takasugian, literally sitting in its shadow.

Though none of the buildings were open when Natsuno visited, just seeing them was enough to spark a sense of awe inside of her. It also opened her eyes to what’s possible outside of traditional norms.

There’s also a community center designed by Fujimori in the vicinity, which puts his creative genius on full display.

From a teahouse that’s high up, to another down low, and then one suspended in the air – who knew teahouses could be so wonderfully unconventional? It’s a truly fascinating site that deserves to be more well-known, so next time you’re looking to enjoy some quiet time off the beaten path in Japan, be sure to put the Flying Mud Boat on your calendar.

Site information
Flying Mud Boat, Takasugian and Hikusugian / 空飛ぶ泥舟・高過庵・低過庵
Address: Nagano-ken, Chino-shi, Miyagawa 389-1
長野県茅野市宮川389-1
Website

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Kenko Tokina makes us think about our shots and feel extra emotion when we finally see how they turned out.

Recently, our Japanese-language reporter Go Hatori has gotten really into taking pictures, so much so that instead of using his phone for them, he wanted a dedicated device. After looking over his camera options, he decided to treat himself to the Pieni II from Kenko Tokina, a Japanese manufacturer primarily known as a lens maker.

There are a couple of reasons why Go chose this model, one of which is easy to see, and one of which, in a sense, is not easy to see. Let’s start with the easy one, though.

The Pieni II is incredibly compact. Though it’s a legitimate, functional photo-taking device, the packaging describes it as a “toy camera” because of how tiny it is.

Included with the camera is a strap so wear it around your neck, but the camera is so compact that you could even attach it to your key ring or use a clip, like the one Go picked up at a 100 yen store, to attach it to your bag or beltloop.

And as for the “not easy to see” reason Go chose this camera? Well, although this is a digital camera, with a slot to insert a microSD card on which to save your images…

…there’s no screen.

That means you don’t get a preview image, constantly being updated in real time, showing you the exact composition and lighting your image will have. Instead, you have a little clear viewfinder to help you see where the lens is pointed, and that’s it. What’s more, the Pieni II doesn’t have an app or any other sort of wireless connectivity that automatically uploads your photos to cloud storage or your other devices. In order to see how your photos turned out, you have to pop the SD card itself out of the camera and into your PC or phone.

In other words, the Pieni II’s design eliminates the instant results that are usually part of digital photography and replaces it with a gap in time between when you take a photo and when you see it, bringing back the exciting sense of anticipation from when film cameras were the norm. That’s the sensation that Go has been chasing as he takes photos, and he’s very, very happy with how some of his photos with his new camera have turned out.

Looking at the photos, you can probably guess the other thing Go loves about this camera. The Pieni II (which Go picked up for 5,280 yen [33] on Amazon Japan) isn’t designed for taking ultra-high-resolution images. In fact, its 1.31-megapixel count is pretty paltry by today’s standards.

On the other hand, that level of resolution is a great fit with the nostalgic retro-tech vibes of taking pictures without a preview screen.

The resolution isn’t so low that the photos become a blurry mess, but the softer lines and lower-key colors make then look like there were taken years ago, and add a sort of wistful significance to scenes of the present day.

All of a sudden, a quick selfie snapped with a friend feels like a precious memento that you’ve treasured for ages, and ordinary scenery looks like it could be a jazz fusion album cover.

Of course, the camera not having a screen means there’s no way to know right away when you’ve taken a dud that needs to be deleted, and when Go “develops” his photos by slotting the microSD card into his PC, he’ll always find at least a few that aren’t worth keeping.

That minor frustration, though, pales in comparison with the immense satisfaction he feels when one of his shots comes out just right and feels miraculously cool.

Photos ©SoraNews24
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