Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Engagement ring
It seems that the road to perfecting a selfie doesn’t stop at getting a perfect angle or perfect face. There is a rising trend among brides-to-be to cosmetically enhance their hands for that perfect “I said YES! And btw, check out my sparkly diamond ring!” photo update.
Isn’t it every gamer’s dream to find a prospective spouse who will sit down with them for hours as you both fight your way through perilous dungeons and difficult puzzles? We all long for that special someone who will be there at your side through the toughest battles and yet still lets you win every once in a while (‘Cause that means she’s a keeper, let me tell you). For those of you lucky enough to have found your campaign companion in the long escort mission of life, this newly announced line of promise rings might be right up your alley (Just be sure to talk to all the characters to complete the side quests)!
Before my husband proposed to me, he was faced with the seemingly impossible task of confirming my ring size without me noticing. Since I didn’t own any rings at the time, he was forced to come up with something craftier than simply stealing my jewelry box.
His solution was to ask his sister to have me try on a bunch of her rings. Never showing any interest in jewelry to begin with, it seemed odd that my husband’s sister would storm into my room and demand me to put on her rings. What’s more, she blatantly stared at my fingers, scrutinizing how well each ring fit as I tried them on.
Since I’m not an idiot, I knew a proposal was brewing.
This situation isn’t unique for men who finally decide to pop the question. But fellas, you’re in luck, there’s now a solution to your pre-proposal anxieties: Ring’s Note, an online notebook that records women’s ring sizes.
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Tired of city life? Try out Japanese rural life for a few days on an active volcano in Kagoshima
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
Bandai looking to introduce Japanese government ID checks for admission to card game events
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory boxAnime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attractionAir-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in TokyoStudio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Tired of city life? Try out Japanese rural life for a few days on an active volcano in Kagoshima
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
Bandai looking to introduce Japanese government ID checks for admission to card game events
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Resident Evil’s terrifying Licker becomes a bag in Japan that wants to feed you
Nendroid Face Maker lets you custom design faces for Japan’s most popular anime figure line
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Potato chip-flavor fried chicken now on sale at convenience stores in Japan
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant