collectables
The three new designs give us a sneak peek at what McDonald’s has in store for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Bandai is giving otaku (especially of the fourth category) all over Japan yet another reason to be grateful. The mother of all toy, video game and anime distributors is introducing their new figure storage service. That’s right, if your living space looks like an anime convention storage locker, Bandai’s got your back.
For a small monthly fee, you can now store your goodies by the box, which means you no longer have to sleep with your beloved figures in your bed—that is, unless, you choose to.
A few weeks ago, online shopping site Run@Town began selling a series of special edition Star Wars themed notebooks. Although they were basically just a standard-issue school notebooks with jackets featuring images from the original three films, they sold out in the blink of an eye, and there are people still waiting for new stock to arrive. This week, the same online store announced another Star Wars tie-in, this time offering wooden hangers featuring busts of Yoda, C-3PO, a Stormtrooper, and smokes-20-a-day villain Darth Vader.
The best part is, by slipping them over the hanger, you can have the cast of characters wear your clothes, allowing you to create all kinds of weird mash-ups. And would you believe some of them actually look pretty cool? We have a feeling these are going to be Run@Town’s next sell-out item.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of Lucas Films’ Star Wars, just 35 limited-edition, solid gold C-3PO figurines went on sale yesterday for a mere 500,000 yen (about $6000).






Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Celebrate Cat Day in Japan with these delicious cat doughnuts from Ikumi Mama Animal Doughnuts
Menya Musashi’s shaved ice ramen is the perfect dish to beat the Tokyo summer heat【Taste Test】
Japanese convenience store chain’s new matcha sweets are heaven for green tea lovers
Kimono genius turns obi sash into the head of Evangelion Unit-01【Photos】
New Japanese Kit Kat flavour on its way, as finalists from international voting announced
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
The ancient Japanese textile craft made with jagged fingernails
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese convenience store chain’s new matcha sweets are heaven for green tea lovers
Kimono genius turns obi sash into the head of Evangelion Unit-01【Photos】
New Japanese Kit Kat flavour on its way, as finalists from international voting announced
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
The ancient Japanese textile craft made with jagged fingernails
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
Anime and video game backgrounds now free to download for video conference calls
2021 Salaryman Poetry Battle showcases some dark but hilarious poems
Why does Japanese writing need three different sets of characters? (Part 2)
Family Mart makes matcha dreams come true with new lineup of strong green tea sweets in Japan
Family Mart goes matcha crazy with new lineup of green tea sweets in Japan
Japan’s 160-year-old Great Wisteria of Tochigi is now in full bloom, ready for visitors【Photos】