Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Japan (Page 1323)
Shiba Inu are a breed of dog popular not just in their native country of Japan, but all over the world. Perhaps it’s due to the fame of the internet’s favourite doggie, Doge, or perhaps it’s just because they’re so darn smiley and adorable, but people just can’t get enough of them.
One Japanese site picked out their favourite photos of Shiba Inu living overseas, so join us after the break for a huge dose of Shibe cuteness.
The recent boom in live-action movie, TV, and stage adaptations of hit anime has to be a headache for producers. Most anime start out as manga, where the only limits on outlandish character and costume design is the imagination of the original artist, and we imagine it’s an exhaustive search to find real-life actors and actresses who look the part.
But Japan’s casting directors are proving themselves up to the challenge. Hot on the heels of the recently revealed Prison School TV drama come photos of the cast of the stage adaptation of Ghost in the Shell, and not only are there some uncanny resemblances, we now know why there won’t be a DVD or live streaming of the performance.
It seems that these days, Hollywood celebrities can’t get enough of appearing on Japanese TV. Just last week, Keanu Reeves treated the Japanese public to some karate moves on a chat show sofa, and this week it’s the turn of actor Hugh Jackman, who cut a gentlemanly figure as he appeared on hugely popular culinary gameshow Kuwazugiraiou (Food Prejudice King).
As part of the show, everyone’s favourite Wolverine was faced with a gauntlet of entrail stew, fishy sea grapes, and fried quail eggs, amongst other delights, as he fought to win the title of… Food Prejudice King! So, how did he get on?
Tokyo is packed full of delightful little neighborhoods, each with their own specialties. One of our favorite little neighborhoods is Tsukishima, renowned for Monja Street, an area overflowing with monjayaki restaurants. Located not far from Tsukiji Fish Market, it’s a great place for lunch when spending the day around Tokyo Bay.
But after eating a meal of monjayaki, you may have a hankering for something sweet. Fortunately, Cool Sweets, one of the best kakigori (shaved ice) places we’ve found yet, is located right on Monja Street! We recently stopped by to grab some photos and video of their delightful treats and highly recommend that you do too!
Back in the early 80s, a number of toys and TV shows came out that defined a generation. They included hits like Transformers, Rainbow Brite, Ducktales and of course, My Little Pony. Now in the 21st century, the most obvious thing to do is re-hash all the old favorites with various reboots in the form of new animated series and a whole new set of toys to play with.
One of those franchises currently riding the revival train is My Little Pony and Japan is celebrating the continued success of everyone’s favorite colorful ponies with something they know how to pull off: a themed café! The recently opened My Little Pony Café is the first of its kind in the world, featuring bright colors, ponies and specialized menu items for every fan.
If you’re in Tokyo and looking for your fellow Pegasisters/Bronies, you won’t want to miss this!
As much as Japan loves Halloween, the country’s favorite foreign-introduced holiday is still Christmas. It’s not hard to see why, since in Japan the December celebration is both the nation’s biggest date night and also its most accepted excuse to gorge yourself on fried chicken. Plus, this year good boys and girls can expect a visit from someone very special at Christmas: Pikachu Snowman plushies, plus a whole stocking’s worth of new winter-themed Pokémon goodies!
For most of the western world, October is a month of ghastly ghouls and Halloween hijinx. But in Japan, Halloween wasn’t really celebrated up until fairly recently, and even now trick-or-treating at random houses is still a pretty uncommon occurrence.
This year however, Halloween has exploded in popularity. Retailers have been getting ready for the big night several months in advance, and even Pepsi Japan has released a spooky new flavor to celebrate. The pagan festival has become so popular that even some of the characters from Dragon Ball Z are joining in on the fun.
The old saying is that curiosity killed the cat. We’re not sure which cat they were talking about, but it’s definitely true that cats are downright nosy and always getting into everything.
But some cats are a bit better at “getting into everything” than others, like this much-loved feline who demonstrates a single-minded dedication to opening all the things!
It was Saturday, October 3 when a hearing-impaired woman and her service dog, a hearing dog for the deaf, attended an event promoting the awareness of service dogs at the Hankyu department store at Hankyu-Umeda Station in Osaka. After the event, the unnamed woman, her dog, and a friend went for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants located inside the same department store on the same floor as the event. Ironically enough, and much to the surprise of the woman, a member of staff stopped her from entering the restaurant, stating that animals were not allowed inside.
The woman’s friend pulled out a guidebook about hearing dogs for the deaf, trying to explain that the dog wasn’t a pet but an animal trained to assist its owner. The staff still refused, however, and the pair finally gave up and went elsewhere, thinking that it must have just been an unfortunate misunderstanding. Perhaps this was just one uninformed staff member who didn’t realize service animals are actually allowed in public places, they thought.
But even at the next restaurant they were turned away yet again…
We recently brought you news of the enticing Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon-themed menu at Namja Town, an indoor theme park operated by Namco, in Tokyo. The themed offerings were really quite something, and after spending so much time poring over the unbelievably cute items on offer, we found ourselves itching to stop in for a visit!
And visit we did. Come with us now as we eat everything from Luna P-Ball, Sailor Moon’s Moon Stick, and even Tuxedo mask’s pocket watch. These incredible edibles are absolutely adorable and filled with so many surprising details they’re almost too cute to eat! Almost…
According to statistic, anywhere from one to two million people visit Japan per month, and more foreigners are working and living here than ever before. That’s a lot of people hopping a plane over, and especially if yours is a one-way flight, preparing yourself mentally before you arrive in Japan is just as important as the physical things you pack with you in your suitcase.
Think you’ve done all your research when it comes to the Land of the Rising Sun? Check out this video on five things you should know before making the big move.
With Halloween fast approaching, you may find yourself in the market for a cool costume. But if your cosplay activities are confined to strictly on and around October 31, you might not think it’s worth the time and effort to put together an outfit you’ll only wear once, since by the time next All Hallows’ Eve rolls around you might want to dress up as something else.
But now there’s a single piece of clothing that will let you enjoy a little Halloween fantasy while also being a viable fashion option for the reality of the rest of the year, with Japanese clothing brand Itemya’s Wizard Parka.
One of the most wonderful things about a Japanese winter is the abundance of hot drinks that become available at convenience stores and vending machines on street corners. There’s nothing quite like popping a coin into a machine on a freezing cold night or while making your way to work, only to have a piping hot can delivered into your frozen palms; it’s an experience that’s almost as satisfying as actually drinking the hot beverage and warming yourself from the inside out!
Stumbling across a good hot soup other than corn potage when scouring the drinks display is always a rare bonus and now that’s something we can look forward to, especially after a night of drinking, with the new canned miso soup from Nagatanien. Filled with the power of ornithine, an amino acid abundant in clams, this is a traditional hangover remedy from Japan, now packed in a can!
Vocaloid music still isn’t exactly what you’d call mainstream in Japan, but the genre of virtual idols has made considerable strides in popularity over the last couple of years. Just last month, Vocaloid Hatsune Miku appeared on perpetually popular TV program Music Station, a feat that’s considered a feather in the cap of any performer.
Now, Japan’s most popular virtual vocalist has teamed up with one of its most popular human ones, as Hatsune Miku and J-pop recording legend Namie Amuro have collaborated on a new song and music video.
Over the past few days, this photo has become an instant Twitter favorite. But what exactly is going on with this cat? It appears he’s got some grass stuck up his nose.
Can you guess why? We’ve got the answer after the jump.
After Sega got the 3-D fighting video game craze rolling with Virtua Fighter in 1993, latecomers had to do something to differentiate their own games in the genre. Namco added accessible controls for its Tekken series, Tamsoft spruced up its Toshinden, and Tecmo added attack reversals to Dead or Alive. Oh, and also large, heaving breasts.
Over the years the supersized busts of Dead or Alive have sort of become the tail that wags the dog, or the bouncing bosoms that lead the torso and shoulders. So after releasing Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, the third upgrade to the fifth game in the main series, publisher Koei Tecmo is taking a break from the fighting and doubling down on the eye candy with a new beach volleyball game, Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, starring its female martial artists, and the first gameplay video has just been released.
We’ve recently seen a pair of Sailor Moon-themed dining options appear in Tokyo, allowing fans to wrap themselves in the hit franchise’s atmosphere as they enjoy a bite to eat. But if your anime and manga tastes run more towards beautiful boys than magical girls, now there’s a place for you too, at the new Hanai Yori Dango Cafe in Tokyo’s Shibuya.
Sipping a hot cup of tea can be an enjoyable way to relax and put your brain on auto-pilot for a few minutes. Waiting for your tea bag to steep, though, can be downright dull. Sitting there, staring at the bag’s string and tab, you might find yourself wishing for a view, and if your preferred view is a pair of large anime breasts, this Japanese company would be happy to oblige.
Handmade goods have a certain appeal that seems to transcend time. As much as we love our precisely designed and machine-crafted products, it’s hard to deny the draw of individually crafted items. Whether its watches or high fashion, knowing something was put together by a dedicated worker just makes it that much better.
So while these cat bags are nothing short of insanely adorable, the fact that they were all individually handmade by one person makes them that much more awesome! Read More
Watch out sailor sisters! There’s a new line of sailor-themed clothing on sale and this time it’s the boys’ turn to come out and play. There won’t be any trousers or navy hats here though, because the only thing masculine about these clothes are the bodies that will be going into them.
It’s the Boku Sera (“I’m a Sailor”) range, which uses the Japanese male pronoun boku to highlight exactly what sets the clothes apart from all others we’ve seen before: these are girls’ sailor-style school uniforms, only now they’re built for male bodies.
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
One simple unexpected recipe swap will make your Japanese-style omelets extra fluffy and juicy
Japan getting a brand-new batch of Pokémon manhole covers in eastern prefecture this fall
This curry restaurant might have the worst location in Tokyo…or maybe the best
Baum vending machine in a Yokohama station lets us eat cake served on a luxury cruise ship
This Tokyo snack shop can send your taste buds on a trip around Japan for just 1,000 yen
10 of the nicest celebrities we’ve met in Japan over the years
Beloved, 100-year-old Tokyo public bathhouse Sengenyu is about to get a second life this December
Cup Noodle launching “isekai” crossover line featuring flavors from outside instant ramen world
Visiting the “world’s most precarious temple” in China, where getting there is half the battle
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese personPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shownChainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
This Tokyo snack shop can send your taste buds on a trip around Japan for just 1,000 yen
10 of the nicest celebrities we’ve met in Japan over the years
Beloved, 100-year-old Tokyo public bathhouse Sengenyu is about to get a second life this December
Cup Noodle launching “isekai” crossover line featuring flavors from outside instant ramen world
Visiting the “world’s most precarious temple” in China, where getting there is half the battle
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese snack lovers may soon be spore-ting the latest crowdfunded confectionery tech
Fishing information website for Susaki, Japan, hit by data leak, all 3 users affected
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Japan’s super cute tanuki bread skips tricks, promises to be treat for your eyes and taste buds
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
93-year-old Japanese grannie helps set trap for scam artist half her age