Mascots have long been used to front brands in Japan, but Gudetama – a lazy anthropomorphic egg – is a far cry from the cutesy characters typically seen. It now appears on around 1,700 items, boasting its own Twitter feed and pop-up cafés, but how has it won the hearts of people nationwide?

The hysteria may have cooled, but Disney’sFrozenis still a sensation, with a sequel and Broadway production in the works. Yet for Norway’s Lofoten Islands – which inspired the film’s icy backdrop – it’s not necessarily good news, as they're being overrun withFrozenfans on tour.

Japan may be renowned for its high speed bullet trains, but a new kind of rail revolution is set to put the wheels of the country’s economic growth in motion. The Seven Stars in Kyushu is one in a number of luxurious cruise trains charging big bucks to meander through Japan's exquisite countryside.

Fresh flowers, chandeliers and Michelin-starred food – the image conjured is one of a luxury hotel. A plane journey – synonymous with discomfort and boredom – is certainly not what springs to mind. But for those who can afford to fly with Qatar Airways, this is exactly what they'll experience.