With scenes adorable and awesome, these DIY papercraft kits are as easy to love as they are to transport.
arts and crafts
Celebrate the 40th (or 41st ) birthday of Nintendo’s game-changing video game console by putting together a perfect paper replica.
Clever analog visual effect makes it look like Totoro and Kiki are stepping into the real world.
Hokusai’s Great Wave has gone from woodblock to art sensation to a wooden art display piece.
Indulge your inner child in a more mature manner with Lego’s new bonsai and flower bouquet sets.
Despite the fact that we’re entering the Year of the Ox, might as well start off with some fish.
If you need a project with an anime Taisho-period twist, try crafting your own puzzle box!
The snack-package-sculpting genius of this Twitter sensation finally caught the eye of a snack PR department.
Have you ever felt a little…lonely at the cinema? Don’t worry, you can bring your own hand to hold.
The clock, made by a Chinese TikTok user, lights up and contains intricate overlays of Luffy, his friends and the emblematic anime ship.
Need a break? Need gift ideas? Let this beautiful video relax you while showing you the process of making a realistic felt cat torso.
The loving wife of a diehard mobile game fan recreated the gorgeous Rune Stones from the game, and shows us how to make our own too.
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Have you ever wanted to lounge around in your own pair of Legend of Zelda pajama pants? How about snuggling up with a Mario Kart or Donkey Kong pillow? Well now thanks to Jo-Ann Fabrics, all of your Nintendo-related craft dreams can finally come true!
The U.S.-based arts and crafts retailer is now offering more yards of Nintendo-themed fabric than you can shake a Master Sword at. From Mario to Donkey Kong, Zelda to Pokémon, they have it all. Who says fully-grown adults can’t make their own homemade Pikachu PJs?
If you’ve lived in Japan for some time, you may have heard of the popular traditional sweet called Akafuku. It’s basically mochi rice cake topped with a rich and incredibly smooth sweet red bean paste. Well, it’s come to our attention that the makers of this long-selling confection are also offering on their website something you may not expect from a sweets manufacturer — awesome paper craft templates, and all free too! So, are you ready for some serious cutting and pasting?
If you’re a cat lover, you must love cats’ butts too! Of course, their fluffy expressive tails too! Maybe you love them so much you just wanna hang their perky posterior on the wall of your room… all right, that sounded a bit weird. We’re not talking about hanging real cat butts on your wall. No way, that’s just creepy.
We’re talking about these adorable felted cat bums! More pictures after the jump!
If you’ve ever been in Japan over the New Year’s holiday, you’re probably familiar with the Japanese custom of exchanging nengajo, or New Year’s postcards. People exchange nengajo with friends, coworkers, and others to whom they are indebted or with whom they wish to maintain a good rapport in the coming year. There is a deadline to mail nengajo, usually around December 25, so that they will be delivered to each house on New Year’s Day precisely. If you still haven’t gotten around to sending them out this year, then never fear, because this incredibly cool website lets you design your own nengajo!




















Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
High-fashion Totoro cuddle purse is like an elegant stroll in the forest【Photos】
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
High-fashion Totoro cuddle purse is like an elegant stroll in the forest【Photos】
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
Popular Osaka all-you-can-eat yakiniku chain Yakiniku Rikimaru opens its first location in Tokyo
A new sophisticated take on the Moon Scepter from Sailor Moon R
Number of foreigners studying Japanese in Japan hits record high, but are there enough teachers?
Pikachu-ear engagement rings and Pokémon wedding rings for him and her can now be yours【Photos】