
Why should girls be the only ones allowed to stay toasty warm in winter?
Fed up with getting the chills and knowing that winter was only just beginning, RocketNews24‘s resident adventurer and male model Mr. Sato was feeling rather down in the dumps this week. But when news arrived that nearby Ikebukuro Tobu department store had begun selling a new range of stockings and ultra-warm underwear just for men, his face lit up with the warmth of a thousand suns and he was out the door in mere seconds.
Barely an hour later, he arrived back at RocketNews Towers ready to try his latest purchases on for us.
As you can see from the photo above, it was quite the show.
Make no mistake about it, Japan gets cold in winter! And even though we’re never as snow-bound as Steven down in Nagano (my toilet water freezes, even though the seat is heated. -Steve), Tokyo gets pretty chilly. It doesn’t help that many buildings in Japan are, with earthquakes in mind, built from thin, lightweight materials and often have very little in the way of insulation. As I frequently find myself telling people when they ask me whether my native UK is as cold as Japan in winter, “Well, yes, it is, but at least we have &#%*ing central heating…”
For years, women’s clothing stores have offered an array of leggings, stockings, fleecy underwear… things… that come up over their stomachs to keep them snug. We men, on the other hand, have had to make do with wearing an extra t-shirt or two underneath our sweaters and spending all day going around and around on the heated Yamanote line train. (Oh, is that just me?)
But no longer!
With trailblazers like Mr. Sato in our midst, all that is about to change. No longer will we men shiver while our female friends’, girlfriends’ and wives’ faces flush pink with warmth!
Show us what you’ve got, Mr Sato!
1. Men’s “Panty Stocking”
2. V-neck Emporio Armani close-fitting undershirt
3. Red “Warmer Pants” by Playboy. Now it’s a party!
Check out that lunchbox, ladies! Does this get-up just scream “sexy”!?
But how did our man rate the new gear? We men aren’t used to such close-fitting undergarments. Could Mr. Sato really see us wearing the ultra-warm threads?
He broke it down into three simple points, and was happy to say that the outfit ticked all the boxes!
– Overall sensation: “NICE!”
– Overall feeling of warmth: “GOOD!”
– Junk support: “Good ‘n’ strong!”
See that, guys? In the right combination, even men can rock toasty underwear. Heck, we think our Mr. Sato could even turn a few heads if he were to venture outdoors in this little get-up during the warmer seasons.
Well done that man!
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]





We try it out: Does Uniqlo’s HeatTech Ultra Warm work on a motorbike ride in the dead of winter?
Mr. Sato tries out ‘the Life Ruiner’, a wearable kotatsu – will it ruin his life?
Two men, one bodysuit, zero things that could go wrong with this experiment to keep warm, right?
We attach chemical butt-warmers to our crotches but really should know better
Japan’s Fake Black Stockings offer sheer looks and winter-cold protection
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
Japan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
We try the new Dom Dom Burger with a whole fried crab — best fast food near Sensoji temple
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
We stay out of the cold and sumo wrestle with another man pressed tight against our backs
Special warm face masks for winter go on sale in Japan, and we test them out
The Kotanpo is coming to save Japan from the cold this winter【Photos】
Wearable heater tube is Mr. Sato’s latest, greatest weird idea for staying warm in winter【Video】
Survey reveals Uniqlo’s most popular winter clothing beats its peers by a fair margin
Does your butt get cold in the winter? Try this butt heater cushion to keep you warm and cozy
Mr. Sato buys a Japanese snack stocking in Akabane that puts the “stuff” in “stocking stuffer”
Japanese sleep experts say we’ve been using our blankets wrong, help us hate winter a little less
Uniqlo teams up with Alexander Wang for a stylish Heat Tech collection
The SoraNews24 secret technique for staying warm in your office this winter【Experiment】
Using the power of cosplay and friendship to stay warm this winter
Japanese shrine maidens in Osaka spotted wearing unusual costumes during winter
Mr. Sato picks an outfit from a Harajuku store display, sends RN24’s office into a panic【Pics】
We literally stretch the limits of fashion with our self-made Uniqlo HeatTech dresses【Pics】
SoraNews24 quiz: How men deal with unexpected urine leaks determines their personality