Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Japan (Page 1585)
Xenon has just started selling a futuristic USB recharging cable for iPad, iPhone, and iPod, which not only lights up, but you can see how fast your device is recharging by how fast the light pulses along the cable. And when your charge is full, the light turns off. Read More
They say that dog is man’s best friend. However, as the number of smartphone users continues to grow that title may soon be challenged, especially if you consider Bandai’s newest iPhone development, Smartpet.
This month, beverage maker Kirin announced that it will be releasing the first ever health food cola on April 24th. The drink will be called Kirin Mets Cola. No connection to the MLB team, although fans will find the font suspiciously familiar.
According to the company, the drink contains an indigestible form dextrin sometimes used as a fiber supplement, which restricts the body’s ability to absorb fat while eating. It contains no sweeteners and has strong carbonation for a refreshing feel. They also claim that blood tests performed in house after consuming the beverage prove the drink keeps levels of neutral fats low after eating.
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Have you ever seen such a lustrous gold egg before? I’m willing to bet most people would answer “no” to that. And yet, this shiny egg is the real thing! Well, at least it’s a real egg, anyway.
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Two active and sizable faults were discovered east of Tokyo, a bit more than 100 km off the coast of Chiba Prefecture, measuring 160 km(99miles) and 300 km(186miles) long respectively.
Who doesn’t love cherry blossoms (sakura) and cherry blossom season? That exquisite pink everywhere. Refreshing, energizing, even. It’s fun just to wander around checking out the different parks with cherry blossoms. Sadly, time flies and the petals blow away… Read More
Let’s face it; using public toilets is never a pleasant experience. Putting aside all the legendary messes you have encountered, even if the restroom is immaculate you still have to worry about yourself. As stealthily ninja-like you try to be on the can it is virtually impossible to do it without making any embarrassing sounds.
This is especially true of the fairer sex who often do a courtesy flush but in these ecologically sensitive times it’s hardly a sensible use of a gallon of water.
Dreaming of a truly one-of-a-kind wedding in a magical setting? Well, there’s exciting news for people who want just that. Now you can get married at the ultimate fantasy lover’s venue — none other than the land of magic itself, Tokyo Disneyland. Read More
Since March 8, you may have been seeing umbrellas around Tokyo printed with graphics for a new Xbox 360 and PS3 mahjong game.
What small girl hasn’t dreamt of being a Disney Princess? Now you can actually make it happen, at least in the digital world. Read More
Produce prices are almost impossible to predict, mostly because of crops ruined by El Nino, global warming, or whatever cause de jour we hear about in the news. The rest of the time we’re hit with stories about E. coli in our spinach or other edible plants being the subjects of genetic manipulation. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to avoid all of these problems?
Japan’s largest homebuilder, Daiwa House has come up with a solution to all of these produce related problems wrapped up in a 30 cubic-meter wonder box. Dubbed the “agri-cube”, this little veggie factory lets you grow 23 different varieties of edible plants from lettuce to basil.
They say the only thing you have after losing everything is your name. Not so, says the Izumisano City officials who in the dying moments of their failing economy are considering a plan to sell their naming rights off amongst other ideas.
Residents of the Osaka Prefecture city will be pleased to know that they wouldn’t be selling it to just anyone with money, so the threat of the name becoming Poopiehead City is minimal. From June till the end of November they will be accepting proposals from both foreign and domestic businesses interested in unique ways to advertise using their city’s government and resources.
Most of the world is familiar with Hello Kitty as she puts her stamp of cuteness on backpacks, shirts, posters, and the occasional jumbo jet or hotel room. But how much do people outside of Japan know about her personal life.
As the Japanese lovingly refer to her as Kitty-chan she is also occasionally known by the name she uses on her British passport, Kitty White. This info is provided by her owners at the Japanese company Sanrio.
However, when we look at Hello Kitty’s bio on Sanrio’s Taiwan website, we discover that Japan may have been wrong all this time. Their translation of the infamous cat’s real British name is not Kitty but in fact Katie.
I remember on my first day of computer programming class the first thing the teacher said was, “Computers are stupid.” It was a valuable fact that has served me well in my relationships with these ubiquitous machines.
For instance, if I show a four year old a can of Coke, they can quickly tell me what it is. Whereas for a computer, we have to print a series of lines and numbers on it just so the dumbass box can get up to speed.
It makes you wonder why we have to go through all the trouble of making up barcodes just so a machine can understand what you and I plainly see. It’s enough to make you think the barcode industry is some sort of insidious freemason plot. Recently, though, Toshiba has announced a scanner for supermarkets and other shops that will bring this evil syndicate of barcode charlatans to their knees.
Starbucks is quite nice, isn’t it? Their shops provide a comfortable, non-smoking place to enjoy a delicious coffee, they have a hip food menu, and you can even get a hundrend yen refill on the day’s coffee. The service isn’t half bad either. Of course, there’s the fact that it’s not exactly cheap, but we’ll forgive them that little foible.
There are six Starbucks locations in Tokyo that have just gotten even cooler, though. What’s so special about those six shops, you ask? Well, let me tell you! In short, the six stores listed below will allow you to take books from their attached bookstores to read while you enjoy your coffee.
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This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan began. Since then the two countries have maintained a very strong diplomatic and economic relationship. However, culturally the two countries haven’t gotten as close as they could have.
Thankfully the Pakistan Embassy in Japan along with members of the Pakistani community in Japan have organized the Pakistan Bazaar in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. Anyone in the Tokyo area on 24-25 March is welcome to experience the historical and cultural beauty that fills Pakistan with free admission.
Ramen comes in a wide variety of flavors. In the mood for soy-sauce based shoyu ramen? Or maybe you want to have miso-flavored ramen? How about salt (shio) or pork-stock (tonkotsu) ramen? These are the standard options for just about every ramen shop in Japan.
But what would you say to milk flavored ramen? Is such a ramen flavor even available?
Well, it is at a certain ramen shop in Tokyo, and apparently it’s quite tasty too!
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).
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!
Secret stairs at Tokyo Station dungeon come with a serious warning
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Manga predicting a major disaster this July affecting summer tourism numbers
Fried chicken, fruits, and ice cream unite in the crazily delicious parfaits of Karafuneya Cafe
Nana manga artist Ai Yazawa teams up with Uniqlo for T-shirt line, brand-new illustration【Pics】
Hard-working Hello Kitty wants to help you relax with new line of Sanrio Bath Bombs from Lush
Is the shrimp, strawberry, and cheese sushi at Kura Sushi right now mad genius, or simply mad?
New Kyoto crane game cakes are poised to become the next big thing in Japan
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Sailor Moon and others teach foreign tourists Japanese etiquette in Manga Manners art seriesStudio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your homeSailor Moon and others teach foreign tourists Japanese etiquette in Manga Manners art series
Ghibli Forest Spirit towel series will delight and/or freak out visitors to your home【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new My Neighbour Totoro furoshiki bag for Mother’s Day in Japan
Foreign travelers’ lukewarm reactions to traditional Japanese inn food causing changes in Kyoto
A visit to the real-world Like a Dragon/Yakuza cabaret in Osaka【Photos】
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
City hall in Japan now has a giant Evangelion robot statue in its lobby【Videos】
Japan’s largest indie ice cream convention returns to Tokyo this Golden Week
Tokyo government ordered to search for biological parents of 67-year-old-man switched at birthStudio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japanese gamer furniture company creates cabinets just for collectible trading card gamers【Pics】
Beds on a bus: Travel on Japan’s first-ever full-flat overnight sleeper bus from Tokyo
Studio Ghibli bean bag plushies are ready to receive your love and affectionSailor Moon and others teach foreign tourists Japanese etiquette in Manga Manners art series
Studio Ghibli bean bag plushies let you bond with animals of Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky
Explore Japan’s volcanic beauty at Hakone’s latest attraction
Japan’s official Hello Kitty Airport holds ribbon-cutting ceremony, now welcoming travelers【Pics】Ghibli Forest Spirit towel series will delight and/or freak out visitors to your home【Photos】
Sleep on Totoro’s belly with Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro Nap Cushion
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Nintendo history you can feel – Super NES, N64, and GameCube controllers become capsule toys
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】
Hard-working Hello Kitty wants to help you relax with new line of Sanrio Bath Bombs from Lush
Is the shrimp, strawberry, and cheese sushi at Kura Sushi right now mad genius, or simply mad?
New Kyoto crane game cakes are poised to become the next big thing in Japan
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Sailor Moon and others teach foreign tourists Japanese etiquette in Manga Manners art series
Doai Station: The deepest station in Japan is also one of the scariest, like a video game dungeon
Locust crepes crunch on your teeth, melt in your mouth in east Japan【Taste test】
McDonald’s creates a dream Japanese bento for April Fools’ Day
Is Japan really racist? A look at where things stand
Salmon-flavored Puccho candy – disgusting or delightful? 【Taste test】
Shimane’s hidden travel sites, where you can escape the crowds and enjoy traditional Japan
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed