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Osaka river turns into giant floating sushi train complete with oversized sushi 【Pics & Video】

Oona McGee
Sep 12, 2015
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Osaka is known throughout Japan for being a foodie’s paradise. The area has such a focus on food and dining and has given birth to so many well-known dishes that there’s even a famous saying: Kyo no kidaore, Osaka no kuidaore, meaning “Dress up till you drop in Kyoto, eat till you drop in Osaka”.

This October, the city will be showing us just how much their food culture means to them, with a giant floating sushi train carrying plates of gigantic sushi up and down the river, and we’re taking a sneak peek at video and photos of the trial run!

Sea turtle, I choose you! Aquarium in Japan makes learning fun with trading card-themed displays

Meg Murphy
Sep 12, 2015

Not all the lessons we learn in school stick with us, but I’ll bet the ones that do are the ones that were interesting, out of the ordinary, or made us laugh. Some people get along just fine with traditional learning methods, but others need things spiced up a little bit, which is why this aquarium’s creative twist to the traditional information display is absolute genius.

Take a look at some of the clever, humorous “monster cards” on display at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium.

Mt. Fuji becomes Studio Ghibli’s Laputa following recent typhoon 【Photos】

Meg Murphy
Sep 12, 2015

Mount Fuji—its almost perfectly symmetrical shape and towering, snow-topped beauty have long been a symbol of Japan, recognised the world round. It has also recently been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its strong ties to the Japanese culture. And now, in the clear skies following this week’s typhoon, it is also being called Laputa, as Twitter users are posting their impressive photos of the cloud-capped peak.

Anime-loving bar owner also philanthropist, offers free drinks, place to chill to typhoon victims

Casey Baseel
Sep 12, 2015

Japan spent most of this last week getting pounded by torrential rainstorms. This wasn’t just a case of people getting their socks wet, either, as flooding caused damage to houses, disruption of train lines and highways left some people stranded away from home, and in some extreme cases residents even had to be evacuated by helicopter.

But while the rains stimulated the craziness in some people, they brought out the generosity in one bar owner in Tochigi Prefecture, because while the rain was falling on Japan, drinks were on the house, as he took to Twitter to offer free booze or a place to rest for victims of the typhoon.

Kochi high school set to launch Self-Defense Force training course, government totally unaware

Master Blaster
Sep 11, 2015

In a recent interview, the head of Kochi Chuo High School, Masahisa Chikamori, announced that the school would be starting a Self-Defense Force Course in 2016. This course would provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to join Japan’s armed protective organization, including some combat training.

However, both the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology admitted they were unaware of this training program when questioned about it.

Artist creates unique badass Stormtrooper covered in Japanese tattoos

Oona McGee
Sep 11, 2015

Recently, we brought you news of the amazing Star Wars Movie Realisation Series of figurines, which have perfectly transformed Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Stormtroopers into awesome-looking samurai warriors.

But if you’re itching for a Japanese-styled Star Wars character of your own, you might want to do what this clever artist did and simply make one yourself. All you’ll need is a plain figure, some coloured pens and a little—make that a lot—of talent and patience.

McDonald’s Japan to sell Anko Pies this autumn

Master Blaster
Sep 11, 2015

As a leading purveyor of fatty fast food, McDonald’s is certain to have its share of detractors. It seems every time we run a story about the golden arches, commenters are all too quick to point out how the fast food restaurant’s offerings tend to be on the less healthy side (to put it diplomatically).

But even among McDonald’s more ardent opponents are those who would admit that its fried apple pies were pretty darn good. It’s perhaps that crowd that a beleaguered McDonald’s Japan is trying to appeal to with their new anko bean paste pies.

Short documentary explores the significance of Japanese children being independent from a young age 【Video】

Krista Rogers
Sep 11, 2015

Many foreigners in Japan are shocked to see young Japanese schoolchildren walking to and from school by themselves, or even taking the trains or buses alone. While these sights would probably lead to more than a few concerned stares in many countries overseas, they’re perfectly typical scenes in Japan.

Australian TV channel SBS 2 recently shared a mini-documentary titled “Japan’s independent kids” on YouTube, which gives a brief look at the differences between one young Japanese girl’s commute to school versus that of a young Australian girl, while examining some of the societal factors that lead to differing expectations regarding independence for children in each country.

Popular cosplaying Shiba Inu H-chan begs for a snack, gets a bowlful of regret instead

Scott Wilson
Sep 11, 2015

Here at RocketNews24, we can’t get enough of adorable Shiba Inu. And when it’s the amazing cosplaying Shiba Inu dog duo S-kun and H-chan, how could we resist seeing what they’re up to next?

However this time it’s not the dogs’ cosplay that’s in the news, but H-chan’s magical face. When she started begging for some of her owner’s edamame, something horrible happened, and H-chan’s reaction rocked the internet. Read on and be prepared to squeal with delight at the overwhelming cuteness!

Seth MacFarlane’s Ted tones down language, cashes in with edited Japan version for 12-year-olds

Casey Baseel
Sep 11, 2015

If there’s one defining aspect of the star of raunchy comedy Ted, it’s that he doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks about him. As a matter of fact, if he were describing himself, Ted’s first instinct would probably have been a stronger word than “damn,” but being neither a magical living stuffed animal nor the on-screen avatar of massively influential and wealthy comedian Seth MacFarlane, I have to be a touch more careful in my choice of vocabulary.

But shockingly enough, it turns out Ted is capable of self-censoring, as the recently released sequel Ted 2 is being edited into a family-friendly picture aimed at kids as young as 12 in Japan.

Company president motivates employees via vending machine with personalised messages

Evie Nyan
Sep 11, 2015

You may think you’ve heard and seen it all when it comes to Japan’s vending machines. They dispense panties and hot food, and sometimes they’ll give you a little freebie. But what you still might not know is that these handy beverage-dispensing boxes have been getting quite chatty recently. It’s not uncommon now for your vending machine to attempt to engage you in some chit-chat as you purchase your wares. The one outside my apartment, for example, chats to me each morning about the weather, sometimes in the Kansai dialect, and sometimes even in English. “Vendy” also likes to dispense encouraging soundbites, such as “Do your best again today!” In fact, we’ve become pretty pally.

The talking vending machine technology is apparently customisable, and recent reports have been circulating of a company president who has installed several machines for his coworkers’ use which feature his smiling mugshot and a variety of encouraging dialogue he’s recorded to keep up employee morale!

Breathtaking video captures the beauty of traditional Japanese washi paper making【Video】

Oona McGee
Sep 11, 2015

The traditional art of Japanese paper making has a history that dates back well over 1,000 years. Kurotani in Kyoto is one of the oldest paper-making villages where the tradition continues in earnest, with artisans continuing the ancient practice of paper skimming, classed as an intangible cultural asset by Kyoto Prefecture.

Like all Japanese arts, the process of creating washi has a precise and meditative quality about it. From collecting and preparing the raw materials to filtering and pressing the paper, the movements of these craftspeople and the life they lead is truly a sight to behold.

Japanese filmmaker Takashi Kuroyanagi has captured these moments in a beautiful five-minute film that takes us through the process from beginning to end and the result is breathtaking in its meditative beauty. If you’re looking for a way to take five minutes to relax in a busy day, this video is the calming tonic you need.

Four Western gestures that are difficult for Japanese people to understand

Master Blaster
Sep 11, 2015

Earlier this week, a Twitter user turned to the masses in the hope of learning the meanings behind four common gestures she had often seen in Western cartoons. While many, if not all, of these may be instantly recognizable to our readers, in Japan they are seldom seen and for that reason look understandably odd.

We’ve already examined some Japanese hand gestures; now let’s see how the other half lives as Japanese Twitter users try to unravel the meanings behind licking our fingers and touching someone or “crab-like movement and bending fingers“.

Etsy shop sells anime Starbucks mugs featuring all our favourite characters!

Oona McGee
Sep 11, 2015

Etsy, the online marketplace filled to the brim with unique handmade goods, can be an absolute treasure trove for people who want to stand out from the crowd with special items that can’t be found in regular stores.

Case in point: these amazing mugs from Californian seller Howard Le. From Naruto to Sailor Moon and Cowboy Bebop to The Legend of Zelda, there are dozens of Starbucks-esque mugs to choose from. And if none of them take your fancy, he’ll even custom make your order for you!

Japanese celebrity Shoko-tan cosplays as the entire core cast of Sailor Moon 【Photos】

Casey Baseel
Sep 11, 2015

While some Japanese media personalities who claim to be huge fans of anime and video games are no doubt trying to curry favor with the otaku crowd, Shoko Nakagawa’s passion for the hobbies seems legit. Not only does Shoko-tan, as she’s more commonly known, regularly share her love of Pokémon, having served as host of a weekly variety program and lending her likeness to a magazine dedicated to the monster-rearing franchise, she’s always willing to dip her toes in the cosplay waters and share the results with her fans.

Recently, she decided to indulge in some Sailor Moon cosplay, and that’s Sailor Moon the series, not just the character, as she appeared as all five of the anime’s core cast of magical girls.

We can’t stop watching this cute cat put together a packing box【Video】

Meg Murphy
Sep 11, 2015

Yamato Un’yu (Yamato Transport), is Japan’s largest delivery company. Their beige-and-teal trucks, as well as their kuroneko (black cat) logo, are as familiar to the Japanese as the Golden Arches or the Starbucks mermaid. Their logo has also resulted in them being referred to colloquially as Kuroneko (black cat) Yamato.

Now, to advertise their compact delivery boxes, they’ve enlisted the help of a real black cat to show just how easy it is to put together. And we all know that cats plus boxes make a mesmerizingly adorable combination!

Twitter user caught in Ibaraki flood tweets photos of his rescuers from inside helicopter

Preston Phro
Sep 11, 2015

Coverage of the heavy rains and typhoon that have swept through Japan this week have dominated much of the news in the country. Today, TV screens were filled with reports on the devastating flooding in Ibaraki Prefecture, where waters burst through the banks and flooded the city of Joso. Images and videos of rescue operations have been widely broadcast on TV, and the news is nothing less than shocking for many.

But one Twitter user saved from the waters by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces wasn’t too scared to tweet photos of his rescue while still inside the helicopter!

Sailor Moon x Peach John lingerie re-released, available now with 17 outfits to choose from!

Oona McGee
Sep 10, 2015

We’ve written a lot about the Peach John and Bandai collaboration, and the amazing Sailor Moon lingerie and sleepwear sets they’ve been producing.

While we’ve mostly been filling you in on pre-order sale notices and upcoming releases, the popular line of outfits has been so sought after that they’ve been almost impossible to purchase. But today, dear readers, we have for you the best news of all. Due to the huge response from fans, the entire Sailor Moon collection is available online right now!

Miyamoto: Pikmin 4 is ‘very close to completion’

Anime News Network
Sep 10, 2015

Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto revealed in an interview with video game news website Eurogamer that the Pikmin 4 game is “very close to completion.”

Japanese astronaut sends a picture to the world, world has Photoshop battle【Photos】

KK Miller
Sep 10, 2015

View post on imgur.com

It is a rare and amazing achievement that we humans have managed to set foot outside the constraints of our lonely planet. And with the prevalence of social media, it is now easier than ever for the humans who are farthest away to communicate with the rest of us down on the ground.

Astronauts stationed on the International Space Station are always finding clever new ways to blow our minds. One such person is Koichi Wakata, the former commander of the ISS, whose gravity-defying photo is currently circling the globe and getting the full Internet meme experience as it does.