Estranged childhood friends, a blackout, and a mobile app are the perfect ingredients for a marvelous story line.
childhood
When you have children howling the word “impregnate!” over and over again to score, something’s really wrong.
At first you’ll be impressed with this drawing, but then you’ll want to laugh when you scroll down to see the rest.
An eight-year-old boy who accidentally drowned his beloved Nintendo 3DS handheld console has written a heartfelt letter of apology to Nintendo customer service.
It’s weird being in your thirties (or thereabouts) in 2015. Kids today have no idea what a struggle it was for us growing up in the days before smartphone selfies, dumb internet trends, and myriad modern technological conveniences. Wait, what are we saying, it was absolutely awesome! For ours was a more innocent childhood, full of VHS tapes, talking on phones connected to the wall by a wire, and clunky dial-up internet that still felt like the greatest thing ever invented.
Japan’s 30s club is no different; they too are nostalgic for the relics of a simpler past. And in this article, we round up 22 nostalgic items that Japanese Twitter users say sum up their idyllic childhoods. But how many of them (if any) are the same as those we in the west enjoyed?
Recently, our Japanese reporter Yoshio visited his parents’ house and decided to finally take a stab at tidying up his childhood room, which had been left untouched ever since he moved out. In the process, he was surprised to find many lost relics and treasures from his childhood, and became caught up in a wave of nostalgia for several hours. Needless to say, he didn’t get much cleaning done in the end…
If you’re the nostalgic type, perhaps you’d like to take a peek at the treasures that Yoshio dug up, some from over 20 years ago!
The picture above looks like it could have been taken at the set of a cute children’s fantasy movie. Or perhaps a theme park. If not those, then maybe a really expensive themed restaurant. In fact, none of those would be correct. These are apartments in Japan. Yes, you can live in them.
Join us after the jump for a beautiful collection of fairy tale-like houses and cafes to delight your inner child.








Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
Super Sentai Series to end after this season
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
We taste the Adult Cream Pie from McDonald’s Japan
Awesome website allows you to make your own Dragon Ball character, battle other fighters
Japanese photographer captures cats at their most athletic, adorable, and synchronized moments
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
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
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
Super Sentai Series to end after this season
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
We taste the Adult Cream Pie from McDonald’s Japan
Awesome website allows you to make your own Dragon Ball character, battle other fighters
Japanese photographer captures cats at their most athletic, adorable, and synchronized moments
The mystery destination of the SoraNews24 end-of-year party left us speechless
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Learn Japanese through ridiculous manga: Death Vote 【Episode #6】
Sliced mayonnaise and white chocolate now exist in Japan, bringing sandwiches to glorious new era
Japanese restaurant serves noodles that you fold and eat【Taste test】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Why you shouldn’t call this food “Hiroshimayaki” if you’re talking to people from Hiroshima
With sushi breakfasts and hot spring baths, this Tokyo hotel could really use a different name