By all accounts Japan’s giant wasps are dangerous creatures. And yet, our team recently learned of one huntsman from Kumamoto Prefecture who has a hobby of fermenting these monstrous bugs in batches of shouchuu (Japanese liquor similar to vodka). It merits saying that even in Kumamoto, selling this kind of alcohol is not a common practice. If you do happen to come across some wasp-infused booze in a souvenir shop, it’s safe to say that you’ve strayed quite far from the mainstream marketplace.
Hearing about this peculiar home brew, we at RocketNews24 couldn’t help wondering what kind of a man would make shouchuu containing wasps. Our very own field journalist took a trip to Kumamoto to meet the man in his home and find out more. Read More
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
How to cook miso soup (the right way) in a few simple steps【RocketKitchen】
Our male reporter transforms into a beautiful Japanese courtesan at Tokyo photo studio
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Tokyo school teaches cross-dressing men, transgender individuals to move and speak femininely
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
Japan has an awesome one-person bento box rice cooker, and here’s what we made with ours
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】