Cute carnage is back in vogue right now, but don’t worry–this new product series doesn’t come with any actual blood splattered on it.
character goods
With original goods and seven fully-decorated stores, it’s the perfect event for any Pokémon fan.
Otaku across the generations can appreciate this plum wine, sourced from hundred-year-old plum trees!
Kikkouchan the rabbit loves traditional Japanese tortoise shell bondage.
Fans of magical girls and Sanrio, rejoice–this is truly a collaboration destined by moonlight.
Cats love cardboard boxes, so why not combine the two and create a cute new lineup of adorable characters?
It’s no secret that Disney has been hugely successful in Japan. The Japanese anime industry may have cultivated a unique style over the years that’s quite different from that of the international entertainment giant, but the public here in Japan definitely seems to love all things Disney, from beautiful lingerie to adorable mini-cakes.
So we guess it’s not too surprising that Disney characters have now been recreated using traditional Japanese crafts, which is the concept behind the Disney Japan Classic Series of merchandise. Join us for a look at what delightful forms the familiar Disney characters have taken at the hands of traditional Japanese artisans! Read More
In Japan, where the market for character-based merchandise is intensely competitive, it’s not always easy to predict what’ll take off. Sure, it was easy to see Hello Kitty and Pikachu coming, since either one could serve as the accompanying illustration for the definition of “adorable” in the dictionary, but who’s going to be the next big star?
There’s a new dark horse entry to the character goods arena, with one company hoping Japanese consumers’ ravenous hunger for all things kawaii will lead them to embrace something so ugly it just might be cute, in the form of T-shirts, notebooks, and purses all featuring the humongous marine bug called the giant isopod.
Tokyo DisneySea mascot Duffy the Bear has a brand new friend! And that means new character goods now on sale at the park, and of course hundreds of Disney fans eager to get their paws on them.
It can take a while to wrap your head around the concept of “character goods” in Japan. It’s a term used to refer to licensed merchandise such as notebooks, stickers and figures featuring the likenesses of fictional characters. What sets character good apart from plain old cartoon or movie merchandising, however, is that its characters generally don’t appear anywhere else, and are created solely for the purpose of having an excuse to produce their associated knick knacks.
It’s a tradition that was firmly established by Hello Kitty, and carried on by newer characters such as Rilakkuma. A blending of the words “relax” and “kuma” (Japanese for “bear”), Rilakkuma is exactly what you’d expect, a bear who loafs around, usually depicted in the prone position.
But what if the world had greater things in store for Rilakkuma than just yawning and eating stack after stack of pancakes? If humanity needed a savior and destiny called, could he be bothered to pick up the phone?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Popular Japanese store Loft reveals their top 12 most popular items sold in 2018【Pictures】
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Why Does Engrish Happen in Japan? – Breakfast buffet edition
Japanese restaurant chain shows us how to make katsudon in three minutes【SoraKitchen】
Weekly
- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace- Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Monthly
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- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
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
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Why Does Engrish Happen in Japan? – Breakfast buffet edition
Japanese restaurant chain shows us how to make katsudon in three minutes【SoraKitchen】
Starbucks Japan adds cult drink to its permanent coffee menu due to popular demand
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
This Smash Bros.-loving cat from Japan is the world’s most adorable gamer【Videos】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Assistive exoskeletons now available in Japanese electronic stores, lets you do serious lifting
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Pikachu, other Pokémon recreate classic painting The Scream, have us squealing at their cuteness
Naruto ninja village theme park area, Kyubi coaster being added to Parc Spirou Provence【Pics】
Japan’s new canned chu-hai with fresh lemon slice: disappointing gimmick or drink revelation?
-
