Ice cream taster; sleep research participant; full-time sperm donor. There are few jobs that could ever be described as truly enjoyable, but playing with an adorable panda cub is probably one of them.
Adventure World
Though the “Panda Train” that runs between Kyōto and the beach resort town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture has been around for a few years, Japanese netizens recently have been making quite the hubbub over photos of its panda seats. Online reactions range from “Kawaiiii!” to “It looks like it’ll hug me to death!”, but most agree that they’re simply confused by the presence of polyurethane pandas on a train heading to a former honeymoon Mecca.
While Shirahama (lit. “White Beach”) is famous for its beautiful sand, hot springs, and remarkable rock formations, many in Japan are surprisingly unaware of its other claim to fame: pandas. Read on to learn more about the crowd-pleasing train and a theme park complex called Adventure World, which has a panda-breeding and research facility with an impressive track record that’s second only to mainland China. If you’re already tired of the cold this winter, this article may give you some ideas for next summer!
MOST POPULAR
Now
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
History’s highest sumo wrestling and geisha dance to take place at Tokyo Skytree observation deck
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Cheeseburger rice bowls arrive at Japanese beef bowl chain Matsuya, and in our stomach【Taste test】
Domino’s Japan has all-you-can-eat pizza isn’t an Internet rumor, but it is hard to find
The Japan Poop Society is making movements to protect people’s health
Made In Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster now on sale in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
How Mr. Sato got his senbero groove back【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Weekly
- One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
- Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
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- One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme- Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?- Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
- After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
- Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
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
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Domino’s Japan has all-you-can-eat pizza isn’t an Internet rumor, but it is hard to find
The Japan Poop Society is making movements to protect people’s health
Made In Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster now on sale in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
How Mr. Sato got his senbero groove back【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
Mickey Mouse in now a transforming robot created by the designer of Gundam【Photos】
Muji’s Sofa Made From Air review: Is Japan’s most sought-after portable couch worth the hype?
Foreigner accidentally allowed to vote in Japanese election, ballot will remain valid
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
An overnight trip on the Sunrise Izumo, Japan’s awesome Tokyo-Shimane sleeper train【Photos】
Flying Totoro appears in new Studio Ghibli x Foxfire collection
Snow falling at Ginzan Hot Spring has Twitter in awe with its otherworldly beauty 【Photos】
New Attack on Titan theme park attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland
-
