Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Another Tokyo
We’re pretty big fans of Odaiba’s full-scale Gundam statue, which towers over Tokyo Bay at an incredible 18 metres tall. But there’s nothing quite like homespun charm, and we’re equally delighted to discover the existence of a plastic bottle version, built single-handedly by one enthusiastic sake shop owner in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
Our friends over at off-the-beaten-track Japan travel site Another Tokyo went to check it out last month, and this is what they found.
Deep beneath the ground, 19 miles north of Tokyo, lies a truly incredible feat of engineering. The G-Cans Project is the largest storm drain on earth, a colossal series of underground silos and tunnels, built to protect Tokyo from flooding during typhoon seasons. Its main hall (actually an enormous water tank) is held up by 59 columns each 25 metres high, and is known as the “Underground Temple”.
The facility is free to visit by guided tour, and the folks at Another Tokyo, a Japanese website introducing off-the-beaten-track places from around the country, recently went to check it out. This is what they found!
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frostStudio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the animeMajor Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schoolsThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli charactersShakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengersPossessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Random love: massively popular Hong Kong capsule vending machine dispenses dates for $2.55
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Here’s what Japanese netizens think of the U.S.’s top 20 most-picked karaoke songs
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Freakishly muscular life-size statues of Grappler Baki anime/manga cast intimidate and amaze【Pics】
It’s blind-buy bliss as adorable Full of Poses Totoro and Mei figures solve gacha paradox【Photos】
Let’s learn a little Japanese with this dead squid in a parking lot