Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
With nothing better to do in his native Ohio, Mike took a leave of absence from all responsibilities in life and came to Japan for the first time in 2006. After several years of what amounted to an extended vacation with occasional Japanese lessons, circumstances led Mike to finally settle down in Tokyo and get serious about life in 2009. He’s worked at magazines, a Japanese ad agency, and currently works in the entertainment industry. He also co-founded and writes for the humorous Japan news website Tokyodesu.com.
Posted by Mike (Page 26)
Apparently Japan is under the impression that Mattel’s Fijit Friends toy is actually America’s favorite new diet tool.
The below video – which we pray to God, Buddha and Zombie Jesus is a misguided parody of some kind – shows Japanese women going nuts over the new “fijiet” trend.
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably had a happoshu (発泡酒）or “low-malt beer-like beverage” if you’ve ever had a night out in Japan.
The taste of a typical happoshu can vary from “pretty close to the real thing” to “yes, this is definitely weasel urine.” Going into a convenience store and blindly grabbing a beer can is thus a bit of a gamble in Japan, so, ever the masculine, barrel-chested and dashingly handsome role model father to our readers, we’ve done the work for you and chosen the five happoshu brands that are worth your time:
Cup Ramen, known to Westerners as “Grade A college student feed,” is perfectly formulated with enough sodium and other preservatives to both fuel late-night study sessions and cure massive hangovers, but nobody’s ever accused it of being a gourmet food.
Some people like a little white noise or some relaxing music to help them sleep, but for us, sleep just won’t come unless there are epic sci-fi space battles playing out above our heads. Maybe we have a bizarrely specific type of sleep disorder.
This is Japan’s, and the world’s, first capsule hotel, and you can still stay there
How to make a secret rice bowl at Ichiran ramen
Japan has nearly 4 million abandoned homes, but where and why?
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
Starbucks Japan adds a Wimbledon Frappuccino to its menu for a limited time
Awesome new Gundam manhole covers coming to Japanese prefecture for first time
Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Japanese cosplayer creates amazing outfit: Sailor Moon’s transformation sequence!【Photos】
Beautiful set of 24 Ghibli anime memo pads returns, will have you wanting to take notes by hand
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in TokyoBad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
McDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Two things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese inn
One of Japan’s oldest castles now lets travelers spend night on the grounds, drink in its keep
FUK COFFEE?!? Japanese cafe has a perfectly innocent reason for its startling-looking nameStudio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Studio Ghibli unveils massive T-shirt collection featuring top anime movie characters
Starbucks at Shibuya Scramble Crossing reopens, but is it really bigger and better than before?Japan has nearly 4 million abandoned homes, but where and why?
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goodsForeigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky loungeBad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screensMcDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in TokyoMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950sForeigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Awesome new Gundam manhole covers coming to Japanese prefecture for first time
Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Japanese cosplayer creates amazing outfit: Sailor Moon’s transformation sequence!【Photos】
Beautiful set of 24 Ghibli anime memo pads returns, will have you wanting to take notes by hand
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Eat at a kotatsu while enjoying the view from Osaka’s Harukas 300 Observatory this winter
Orange Juice Crisis ’24 – Japan’s OJ supplies drying up
We tried out the new Starbucks Cold Brew “Lime” coffee and it tasted unexpectedly refreshing
Daiso can help you beat the heat this summer with DIY fruity Suika and Melon Bars【Taste test】
Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan has the perfect balance of class and convenience for your Tokyo stay
Should married couples in Japan be allowed to have different family names? Survey investigates
50 centimetres (20 inches) of unbridled beefy joy! Eating Tokyo’s extra-lengthy yukhoe sushi
