2-D heroines get a boost from 3-D perspective and an extremely talented fan.
November, 2015 (Page 8)
Oxford Dictionaries, the online arm of the publisher of the Oxford Dictionary of English, has announced that its 2015 Word of the Year is an emoji. No, not the word “emoji,” but a single, specific emoji.
With laser-blast-firing sumo wrestlers on horses, Japan Sumo Derby was one of the best things we’ve seen this year. So, how can it be topped? With Street Fighter characters!
This lovely and feminine poster was made for the Sakura Jidai Festival, also known as the Festival of the Ages. While it is certainly beautiful, it’s garnering attention online because it was created by an 81-year-old man.
If you ever thought you’d have to go to a galaxy far, far away to sit in the cockpit of a Star Wars X-wing fighter, you were wrong. All you have to do is go to Singapore.
We visited the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet restaurant in Japan before the official opening day and found more than just fried chicken on the menu. There’re also pastas, soups, breads, sweets, and even an all-you-can-drink beer plan!
If you thought ninjas had died out during the fall of the Shogunate, then do we have a surprise for you. Introducing Japan’s modern-day ninjas who look strikingly like firefighters.
School uniforms inspired by Japanese manga have come to life as dresses designed for everyday wear by women of all ages.
You know all those cool-looking anime warriors with a katana strapped to their back? It turns out some of them would be really easy to beat in a fight, and it’s all the artist’s fault.
Satoshi Tomizu calls his amazing creations Space Glass, and there’s really no better way to describe them.
Big Chap, the terrifying extraterrestrial antagonist from the 1979 Alien movie, gives us a sneak-peek into his day-to-day life outside of the spotlight with this new set of detailed mini figurines.
Sliced bread. The smartphone. A computer that sits on your lap. The flying buttress. Occasionally, a new person or thing comes along that proves to be a total game changer; something that completely redefines the way you look at and interact with the world around you.
This unassuming device is one of those: A contraption that literally injects chocolate into a banana, forever rendering the humble banana into an amazing new food group and essentially negating any nutritional value the protein-packed fruit once had (not that this bothers us).
We’ve been taught to shelter under tables when there’s an earthquake, but this little hamster in Japan chose to hide in a glass bottle instead.
Korean barbecue, or yakiniku as it’s known here is Japan, is a popular among all diners, but particularly men seem drawn to the primal enjoyment of roasting gobs of raw meat over flames. Or maybe they just like meat. Either way, the customer base skews male.
However, this month a pop-up yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo’s Ebisu neighborhood seemed to be taking particular aim at the ladies. Let’s see if you can spot their unique approach.
If you’ve got a cat or dog you love, odds are you’ve got a few pictures of your animal companion on display around the home you share. But what if you could give those visual reminders of your precious pet a loving pat on the nose?
It was only a short while ago that we were being inundated with all manner of pumpkin flavored foods and drinks in honor of Halloween. But now that October 31—and all the wild partying surrounding it—has come and gone, people in Japan seem eager to rush into Holiday Season mode, with Christmas displays and illuminations already popping up across town.
Alcoholic beverages are no exception to the trend, and today we thought we’d share with you a beer with a distinctly Christmassy flavor that sounds absolutely delightful. It’s the Apple Cinnamon Ale from Japanese brewery Sankt Gallen, and, for a limited time, the drink even comes in a special bottle with a beautiful Christmas label!
On the morning of Saturday, November 14, many Japanese Beliebers, along with some Non-Beliebers and Agnobiebers, awoke and checked into Twitter as usual only to find the famous Canadian pop star declaring that he was praying for their souls right alongside those of the people of Paris.
Confused and a little concerned, I—a card-carrying Agnobeiber—showed the above tweet to my coworkers, all of whom were equally baffled as to why Justin Bieber should be praying for them, considering nothing out of the ordinary happened here in Japan.
Hello Kitty may be the most popular Sanrio character, but My Melody has quite a few fans as well. And it seems she has a doppelgänger hanging out on Twitter too!

















Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Float all of your troubles away with a boat ride down the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Pokémon Centers across Japan cancel April events after stabbing in Tokyo
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
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
Float all of your troubles away with a boat ride down the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Pokémon Centers across Japan cancel April events after stabbing in Tokyo
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
We visit a Yokohama bar for some Star Wars cocktails, get served by a world class bartender
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
The Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
Get a Complete Psych Profile in a Few Minutes Using Only a Pen and Paper
Japan’s new Hello Kitty and Sanrio smartwatches are cutewatches too【Photos】
Ichiran ramen vs. Ichiran instant ramen: The ultimate taste test right outside the store
Starbucks Japan adds new Sencha Matcha Tea Frappuccino to its menu, but only at 28 locations