Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
ball
Children’s shows are generally the weirdest things you can find on TV. We don’t really know why, though our assumption is that the writers and illustrators come up with ideas by pointing at random words in the dictionary. Either way, it seems that the weirder a show is, the more fans they have, and that means more toys! Which, of course, is scary for parents and their ever-shrinking wallets.
But sometimes those toys are enough to scare kids too…
What is it with Japan and weird cleaning devices today? No sooner have we received news of a remote-controlled “awesome mop” and driveable dustbin than these fluffy little creatures turn up intent on keeping our homes clean!
Going by the moniker Mocoro (a play on the word marimo, a round, fluffy moss ball, and korokoro the onomatopoeic word for a rolling object) these new time savers/lazifiers from Japanese home appliance company CCP are designed to roll around your room picking up dust while you put your feet up.
Last month we reported on the announcement of the 10th Otaku Masquerade Ball: Oka’s Bizarre Marriage Hunt where otaku looking for love don masks in search of a future life partner.
It finally went down on 27 October with a total of 17 participants (9 men and 8 women) all wearing mask that cover at least the top part of the face. According to the sponsor, Washimiya Youth Chamber of Commerce, everything went better than they imagined. In fact it went better than regular marriage hunting parties or gokons!
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
New Ghibli Doll Collection is the best-of-both-worlds solution to the plushie-or-figure dilemma
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Tokyo’s “commuter boat” is an awesome hidden way to see the city from the water for dirt-cheap
Nintendo bringing real-life Zelda Zonai Device capsule toy machines to Japan【Photos】
Pokémon Mister Donut lucky bags essentially pay you with Pokémon merch for eating dessert
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Studio Ghibli releases traditional New Year decorations with My Neighbour Totoro characters
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in JapanUniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Mt Fuji convenience store becomes “lawless zone” as tourists hurl abuse at security guards
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Bad tourist manners lead to new Mt. Fuji view-blocking scree at Japan’s “Fuji convenience store”
Shinkansen to permanently reduce number of inexpensive non-reserved seats on Nozomi trains
Ranma 1/2 Cafe opening in three Japanese cities, features food with transformable flavorsFurikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Big dam Godzilla appears in Japan as power-washer art on side of 195-foot dam【Video】Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippersUniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
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
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
Pokémon Mister Donut lucky bags essentially pay you with Pokémon merch for eating dessert
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Studio Ghibli releases traditional New Year decorations with My Neighbour Totoro characters
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Japan may finally abolish law that bans women only from remarrying soon after divorce
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Japanese bank’s founders blood-signed promise to commit samurai-style suicide if they committed fraud
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo’s famous Lost in Translation hotel is closed
Japan’s drinkable cake in a can is here, but how does it taste? We find out
Rare ghost-white tuna caught off Bali — we go to see it on display in Shibuya!
How often do Japanese people search for their ex online?【Survey】