To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of Lucas Films’ Star Wars, just 35 limited-edition, solid gold C-3PO figurines went on sale yesterday for a mere 500,000 yen (about $6000).
Japan (Page 1544)
On March 21st candy company Morinaga is going to begin selling the popular Chupa Chups lollipops in a more bite-size size. The suggested retail price for a bag of 14 is 198 yen (about $2.37).
Japan may hold the reputation as one of the most expensive countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean the majority of the population is struggling everyday just to scrape by. In fact, even part-timers can do pretty well for themselves thanks to the high wages offered for even some of the most basic jobs.
When I was in university, I supported myself by working part-time at a restaurant for 900 yen ($10.80) an hour which carried me through those four years just fine.
Wages seem to be even higher now, perhaps due to a recent scarcity of part-time labor, especially in Tokyo.
To give you a better idea of just how much Japan rewards its part-time employees, I’ve selected a few entry-level jobs from around Tokyo to share with you all. Be sure to let us know how the wages compare with your own country!
Earlier this month in Kanagawa Prefecture, a high ranking government official was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife’s “male acquaintance.” The attack took place when Mr. Noda (47) discovered his wife entering a hotel with another man (44) after following her when she left home late in the evening. In the heat of the moment, Mr. Noda confronted them and allegedly ended up severely beating the man in the face and chest, breaking several ribs.
A few days after the confrontation, the alleged victim filed a complaint with the authorities. After Mr. Noda was arrested, the story hit blogs across the internet and triggered a landslide of support for him.
00
Arguably the most famous Nepali curry shop in Japan is Daisuki Nippon (I Love Japan) in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Since its opening in 2010, this tiny, independently-run restaurant has managed to get attention from all corners of the country in a story that plays out eerily similar to the plot of a Seinfeld episode.
The story begins with shop owner Pradahan Vikas struggling to get anyone to come to his store. Sometimes he would go the entire day without serving a meal. Faced with such hard times, Mr. Vikas turned to Twitter to chronicle his worries, unbeknownst to him that they would be the key to his success.
A young man who is assumed to be Korean has decided to share his feelings to the world on YouTube and as a result ignited a powder keg of tensions between Koreans and Japanese internet users.
In broken Japanese, the boy gave a minute and a half speech about his take on the post-Tohoku Earthquake situation which, as one Japanese commenter said, “crossed the line.” He then gives a glimpse into his own homicidal fantasies before politely asking all Japanese people to “die quickly.”
Readers of this website are likely to be familiar with nikuman, the steamed rice pastry often made with meat filling. In the past we have reported on the delicious slime shaped nikuman and Puyo Puyo themed nikuman. One thing to note about nikuman is that their name is made up of two parts niku (meat) and man (steamed bread) so that if you change the filling the suffix remains the same giving you pizzaman or curryman.
Universal Studios Japan took notice of how this is linguistically similar to the suffixes often used for superheroes in English and developed Spiderman (here the man would be pronounced kind of like a Jamacian accented mon).
As we quickly approach the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake the have been signs that debris from the massive tsunami has finally touched down on American shores.
Recently residents of northwest Washington state have been finding more and more fishing gear and garbage with Japanese writing on it since last weekend. In fact, in the past two months one man found 15 pieces of Japanese debris has been reported which is a sharp increase from the only 4 pieces found in the previous 46 years.
The Japanese airline industry has recently entered a phase of stiff competition as low cost carriers from countries like Europe have entered the scene. Mainstays JAL and ANA have had to come up with more creative solutions to attract people to their higher-priced offerings.
JAL’s initiative has been to collaborate with popular restaurant chains so that people can enjoy their favorite foods instead of the dishes that are so-often the target of stand-up comedians. Already they have sold hamburgers from fast food chain Mos Burger in a project called AIR Mos Burger, as well as dumplings from popular Chinese food chain Edosei with AIR Nikuman. The third time’s the charm as now the granddaddy of Japanese fast food comes to the skies with AIR Yoshinoya.
Text messages sent from Arisa Miura, a city worker who died in the tsunami that struck Minami-Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture, and her boyfriend were released to the press on March 5th. In the 5 texts, which were sent between the two lovers after the earthquake and before Miura was swept away, one can see the depth of their affection in their consideration for the other’s safety even in a hectic emergency situation. Read More
The Ameyoko block of Tokyo is a comprised of a busy market street lined with quaint little shops selling various foods, cosmetics and knick-knacks like clocks. You can expect to find just about anything in Ameyoko, which makes it the perfect location for Geinanhonbo, a whale-meat specialty shop, to open its newest branch.
At Geinanhonbo you can choose from 16 different cuts of whale meat from a giant fridge that takes up most of the shop space. Red meat cuts are relatively cheap, costing 380 yen per 100g (US$1.32/oz), but more expensive parts like the tail or jaw can run up to 2,800 yen per 100g ($9.84/oz). The store offers “almost every edible part of the whale” including the heart, which costs about as much as the red meat.
Like with many natural disasters, governments and large corporations throw money and supplies in relief efforts. Although the aid is greatly appreciated and needed by the victims, there is always this lingering cynicism that these donations were done out of self-serving motives. Especially when said company releases an ad tooting their own horn about the contributions they made.
However, a largely unsung gesture by FujiFilm has recently celebrated its milestone of restoring over 1,000,000 photos recovered from earthquake devastated areas. The cynic in you may ask what the big deal is about cleaning some photos when these people need food and shelter.
Museums always struggle to find ways to attract younger visitors, so it’s not unusual to see a museum tie in an exhibition to some pop-culture trend. Even the Bizen Japanese Sword Museum which you’d think is one of the “cooler” museums for the kids has had to come up with new ideas recently.
As a result anime fans may want to take a trip to Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture this summer to check out the “Neo Japanese Sword Evangelion” exhibition. This exhibition is a fusion of the hit anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion and the works of Japan’s finest traditional sword makers. Read More
Thanks to Japan’s extensive rail system, millions of people are safely and promptly carried to and from to their destinations every day.
For instance, Uchihara Station in Mito city alone sees over 2000 people pass through every day. However, these useful transportation nodes are also plagued by a dark social ill: suicide by train.
So you’re taking a vacation to Japan via the Hello Kitty Jet to buy some Hello Kitty stationary, knick knacks, clothing, and accessories, but you don’t have a place to stay? The Shinhankyu Hotel in Osaka has got you covered!
Starting March first they are making Hello Kitty themed Prince Kitty Rooms available, each decorated wall-to-wall with the infamous kitten along with her childhood companion Dear Daniel. Everything in the room from the curtains to the sheets to the cushions is touched with the pink and white essence of Japan cutest cultural icon, all of which are exclusive designs for this hotel.
On 31 January, Mie University’s Social Studies Department announced the hiring of their newest teacher – “the last living ninja” Jinichi Kawakami. Would-be students from all over are lining up to learn from the 21st head of the approximately 500 year-old Koga Ninja Clan.
Mie Prefecture, which is home to Iga city and its famous ninja museum, intends to spread the word of ninja culture to Japan and beyond, with the added benefit of promoting their own ninja-based-tourism industry.
When western people visit Japan they often complain about the small size of the portions served to them at restaurants, especially when it comes to steak. The average Japanese steak weighs in at around 150-200g (5-7oz) which would make for a decent sized American hamburger but little more than a frozen dinner-caliber steak. Read More
Buffalo Kokuyo Supply Inc. has announced they will release a new USB hub sometime in the end of February. What sets this USB hub apart is that you will be able to connect your USB cord facing either way (upwards or downwards).
This comes as welcome news to everyone who has had to squint into their USB jack to see what side that little piece of plastic is on, and then still somehow manage to put it in the wrong way.
The newest in McDonald’s Big America Series of US themed hamburgers, the Broadway Burger has been released amid much confusion over its name. No one can really understand what’s so “Broadway” about this thing.
Anyone who has been to Manhattan knows it’s the home of some of the finest restaurants in the world. Only on Broadway can you see a world-class play and then walk up the street to a plethora of restaurants for your choice of international cuisine. Read More
Around the world women often turn to bizarre-looking contraptions in the quest to look more beautiful and Japan is perhaps home to some of the strangest. Sometimes it even seems like beauty product makers are playing a huge joke on their customers by making them look more ridiculous than beautiful.
The latest of such products is Hana-Tsun (Pointy Nose), produced by Glim Inc., who are no strangers to thinking outside the box when it comes to beauty products.
MOST POPULAR
Now
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
A deep-fried sushi senbero awaits from Super Value【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Does this Dormy Inn near Mt. Fuji offer the best business hotel breakfast in all of Japan?
Japan’s gorgeous Mt. Fuji chocolate cake lets you eat the mountain instead of climb it【Photos】
We stroll down memory lane while actually strolling down Sazae-san-dori in Fukuoka City
Weekly
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme- Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan- Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!- After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Monthly
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo- Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?- Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
- Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】- Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
A deep-fried sushi senbero awaits from Super Value【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Does this Dormy Inn near Mt. Fuji offer the best business hotel breakfast in all of Japan?
Japan’s gorgeous Mt. Fuji chocolate cake lets you eat the mountain instead of climb it【Photos】
We stroll down memory lane while actually strolling down Sazae-san-dori in Fukuoka City
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Hero lady apparently saves guy from groping accusations by posing as girlfriend
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Skip Tsukiji sushi?!? This seafood-stock ramen restaurant is a great reason to do just that
We visit Japan’s new Sriracha vending machines to get our spicy red-sauce fix【Pics】
Mt. Fuji’s World Heritage status provides fame for associated moe character Saori
-
