In the west, there’s a wide range of stores selling affordable and cute fashion marketed towards teens, such as H&M, TopShop, Zara and Forever 21. But in Japan, one of the most popular places for picking up cute clothes is the interestingly named chain store Cecil McBee. With a name seemingly pilfered for some bizarre reason from Tulsa-born jazz musician Cecil McBee (he even tried to sue, but was unsuccessful), the chain has stores across Japan, with a main store located inside the trendy 109 shopping centre in Shibuya.
Now, however, the chain is branching out from fashion to release a range of educational books aimed at junior high school girls with adorably kawaii covers and illustrations. After all, you still want to look cute while you’re studying, don’t you?
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
Japanese government proposes driver’s license change to make them easier for foreigners to read
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
Japanese government proposes driver’s license change to make them easier for foreigners to read
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Katsudon vs. tonkatsu vs. katsu sandwich – What’s the best way to eat pork cutlet in Japan?
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
Which Japanese convenience store has the best steamed curry buns?【Taste test】
Foreign worker in Japan fends off armed robber with single word, gets no respect from local media
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
We were blown away by Funabashi Sauce Ramen, just a short ride from central Tokyo【Taste test】
Let’s make some French cuisine using two bucks worth of junk food from the convenience store!
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things