Annual ranking takes a look back at the things the Internet was discussing the most in Japan this year.
Master Blaster
Writer / Translator
Master Blaster is the two-man translating team of Canada’s Steven Le Blanc and Japan’s Masami M, a pair who in addition to writing work are in English education and created the StudyNow app for Japanese students of English.
Together they have written somewhere around 1,500 articles for RocketNews24 covering such diverse topics as Chinese men selling sanitary napkins to each other and a Japanese guy dragging an ear of corn around the Tokyo train system. A few of these were actually good, but don’t take our word for it! Here’s what our beloved readers had to say:
“One isn't always in the mood for bold tastes. But when I'm in the mood for bold flavor I turn to you.”
“Stupid article. Who cares what the Japanese think it's cool. You don't call a monkey, "gorilla".”
“You know, this is about the most cogent explanation of how a turbocharger works that I have ever seen in the non-motorsports world.”
“Thanks for the article peter!”
“It's people like you who make exploitation possible.”
“It looks yummy and the story was great. Thank you for the smile.”
StudyNow App
Posted by Master Blaster (Page 91)
Lawson convenience stores took two staples of Japanese cuisine and smashed them together for our pleasure.
This makeshift faucet made with just a plastic bottle is simple but can be a lifesaver in times of need.
Japanese schools continue in their quest to make math as annoying and tedious as possible.
Can the collective Internet come up with a possible solution, or just crack a bunch of monkey jokes?
In other words, now’s probably a good time to get all that valuable data onto removable physical media.
Got Talent series regular Wes-P tries again, this time in the land of Voltaire and Sartre.
This is your one chance to enter something of Mune Pharmaceutical’s, rather than the other way around.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Tokyo adding new anti-littering fines in Shibuya and Harajuku, will require more trash cans too
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks opens special telecommuting branch in Tokyo’s Ginza neighborhood【Photos】
Japanese politician apologizes to prime minister for calling wife’s cooking “Hiroshima-yaki”
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
How to dress for summer in Japan: Tips from a rickshaw driver in Asakusa
Weekly
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
U.S.A. now the fastest-growing market for Japan’s high-tech toilets, now selling quicker than ever
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】- Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks opens special telecommuting branch in Tokyo’s Ginza neighborhood【Photos】
Japanese politician apologizes to prime minister for calling wife’s cooking “Hiroshima-yaki”
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
How to dress for summer in Japan: Tips from a rickshaw driver in Asakusa
Blackboards in the west, hallways in the north: Japanese school layouts spark discussion online
How to make Japanese melon pan out of any type of bread
What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Japanese Cabinet to officially announce new romanization spelling recommendation next week
Mail your cute Sanrio-style self to all your friends and family with Chanrio New Year’s cards!
Puppet Sunsun taking over Lawson convenience stores all over Japan
-
