COK (Page 341)
Iconic character from Hayao Miyazaki anime is ready to terrify and/or charm you at mealtime.
Genuine service, or meaningless marketing ploy? We conduct an experiment to see what happens if you pass on the Golden Arches’ offer to see some pearly whites.
Journal Standard comes up with a burger that’s anything but standard, and also inordinately delicious.
It’s widely known in Japan that idol singers are often contractually prohibited from engaging in romantic relationships. The reasoning goes that if word gets out that an idol singer has a boyfriend, her fans will feel betrayed that she isn’t solely devoted to her role as a musician and entertainer, and thus stop buying her CDs (there’s also the unspoken implication that openly dating someone will destroy the fantasies of individual fans that would like to date the singer themselves).
A signed contract isn’t always enough to keep young love and hormones in check, though. And when you consider that idols are almost always attractive, outgoing young women, it seems like it should be only a matter of time until they find a guy they fancy out of their swarms of would-be suitors. That’s why in addition to legal pledges not to date, the Japanese entertainment industry has a number of sneaky tactics up its sleeve to prevent its idols from falling in love or going on a single date.
A story out of Saitama Prefecture almost sounds like the script to a heartwarming movie. In an apartment house in Kawaguchi City, until a few days ago, two senior citizens were living next door to each other. The men shared a love of beer, and since they were both living alone, would even sometimes pass off their excess food to one another if they happened to buy too much at the grocery store.
Sure, 64-year-old Shingo Tsutsui didn’t like the noise his 70-year-old neighbor made walking around the hardwood floors of his thin-walled apartment, but that little bit of cantankerousness just adds to the Odd Couple-like appeal of the story, doesn’t it? Or at least it would, if Tsutsui had responded by contorting his face into comically frustrated expressions instead of what he actually did, which was to attack his neighbor with a kitchen knife.
As shocking as that is, though, it’s not nearly as unexpected as the victim’s reaction: inviting his attacker in to have a couple of beers together.
In general, men have a very simple formula they use when determining how much female skin they like to see on display: the more, the better. This of course leads to the corollary, even more skin = even better.
One notable exception to this, however, is Japan’s love of knee-high socks, which leave a small patch of skin on display them and the hem of the skirt. Known as zettai ryouiki, or “absolute territory,” it’s become such a cultural phenomenon that it’s led to the creation of a smartphone game and not one, but two special days celebrating the look.
Now, one Twitter user in Japan claims to have discovered the male version of zettai ryouiki.
In Incheon, South Korea, a bizarre murder trial is taking place surrounding the 2010 death of a 22 year-old woman, referred to as Ms. Y. The defendant is her boyfriend, 31 year-old Mr. K. Prosecutors are demanding that Mr. K be sentenced to death for her murder.
With a key piece of evidence missing, he must convince the court of his side of the story: an octopus did it.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Cherry blossoms blooming on new sakura Air Jordans from Nike【Photos】
Totoro ocarinas on sale from Ghibli Museum online shop, and no two are exactly alike【Video】
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
7-Eleven now sells rice burgers in Japan, blurring the line between fast and convenience store food
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Weekly
- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments- Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest- Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Monthly
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
- Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Cherry blossoms blooming on new sakura Air Jordans from Nike【Photos】
Totoro ocarinas on sale from Ghibli Museum online shop, and no two are exactly alike【Video】
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
7-Eleven now sells rice burgers in Japan, blurring the line between fast and convenience store food
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
What it’s like to get a haircut at Japan’s oldest barber shop
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
A talking butt solves crime: the anime
Haunted, abandoned hotel complex on Okinawa is a lesson against messing with Japan’s spirits
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Starbucks Japan opens first-ever branch on Shinkansen bullet train platform
-
