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.








Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Yu-Gi-Oh rights holders address use of anime clip in White House post on attack on Iran
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
KFC adds caramel macadamia frozen dessert drinks to menus in Japan to celebrate autumn
Demon Slayer Tamagotchi on sale now, preorders for 9 more types on the way
Tohoku man honors brother killed in tsunami with hundreds of blue carp streamers
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Yu-Gi-Oh rights holders address use of anime clip in White House post on attack on Iran
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
KFC adds caramel macadamia frozen dessert drinks to menus in Japan to celebrate autumn
Demon Slayer Tamagotchi on sale now, preorders for 9 more types on the way
Tohoku man honors brother killed in tsunami with hundreds of blue carp streamers
What Hayao Miyazaki’s Mei would look like if Studio Ghibli released My Neighbor Totoro in 3-D
Legendary shojo manga classics get reprints as miniature capsule toys with full-volume contents
3 reasons why all Starbucks fans should visit a Starbucks Tea & Cafe in Japan
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
What should you use table salt for at a sushi restaurant? We asked a kaitenzushi maniac
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines