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).






Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
See-through Japanese maid’s uniform gives you the power of X-Ray vision
Elephant nose ice cream: The treat with a trunk
Open mail with the awesome Sailor Uranus Space Sword from Japan!
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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
See-through Japanese maid’s uniform gives you the power of X-Ray vision
Elephant nose ice cream: The treat with a trunk
Open mail with the awesome Sailor Uranus Space Sword from Japan!
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Video shows “mutant” crawling on the side of a building in Russia
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
South Korean design company turns subway maps into beautiful artwork you can hang on your wall
Evangelion credit cards mean you will (not) need to carry cash
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Burgers soaked in a plate of hot cheese served at American Diner Andra in Tokyo
20 things to buy at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]