Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
armageddon
Is everyone ready for the end of the world in a few weeks? In preparation for Armageddon I’ve decided not to pay any of my bills. And that new toothbrush will have to wait until after 21 December, when the Mayan Long Count calendar expires.
I thought I had everything covered until reading reports from Chinese media about Lu Zhenghai from Xinjiang. The engineer is currently finishing off his own “Noah’s Ark” with an estimated price tag of two million yuan (US$320k).
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
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
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 anime
Major 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 characters
Shakey’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
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Bad tourist manners lead to new Mt. Fuji view-blocking scree at Japan’s “Fuji convenience store”
Find a red envelope on the ground? Here’s why you should never pick it up
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
McDonald’s Japan’s Gurakoro burger faces a giant rival in Komeda’s Gurakuro
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
Japan destroys Santa Claus with science: “If he were real, we’d all be dead from his sonic boom.”