It’s a hard road to become a successful pop idol group these days, especially in Japan where the AKB48 divisions have a stranglehold on the market. What’s left of it generally goes to the Korean invasion. When the pop scene reaches a peak like it is at now, it becomes nearly impossible to distinguish one act from the other.
Every day when you flip on the TV or thumb through a magazine there are gaggles upon gaggles of young girls and guys with almost identical clothes, hairstyles, songs, and dances all vying for your attention.
Applying the Tony Montana formula of success to idol groups; you got to get the attention first. Then when you get the attention, you get the fans. Then when you get the fans, you get the money. The girls in Alice Juban (Alice Number 10) are doing just that in a way that would make Scarface proud – with chainsaws and hockey masks.
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Tiny house by Muji finally goes on sale in Japan
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Studio Ghibli releases new My Neighbour Totoro furoshiki bag for Mother’s Day in Japan
Starbucks Roastery Tokyo releases lucky Japanese dolls to end the pandemic in the New Year
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Starbucks Japan quietly slips fans another Christmas present with Joyful Medley Strawberry Milk Tea
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
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
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
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
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Studio Ghibli releases new My Neighbour Totoro furoshiki bag for Mother’s Day in Japan
Starbucks Roastery Tokyo releases lucky Japanese dolls to end the pandemic in the New Year
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Dragon Quest Slime toys appear at McDonald’s Japan in crossover with Grimace and pals【Video】
A Japanese vending machine perfect for samurai
Osaka man arrested for selling colorized version of the original Godzilla from 1954
Wasp larvae bento: a traditional delicacy in the Japanese mountains
Japanese Cabinet to officially announce new romanization spelling recommendation next week
What’s in a Lawson fukubukuro lucky bag?
Sushi cars are the newest crazy cool dream from Japan’s Tomica line