Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
hygiene (Page 2)
Squat toilets aside, Japan’s technological achievements in the restroom are well-known. From seat warmers to washlets and noise-eliminators, Japan is probably the number one place to go number two. But what does the country of the advanced-thinking toilet think of restrooms around the world? Read below to find out!
Sometimes the heat here in Japan really does get too much, but this mystery guy’s cool-down method seems to have backfired. Angry Japanese Netizens are up in arms at the possibility that the selfish iceman may have sullied precious ice-cream with his stinky sweat.
According to practitioners of feng shui (Chinese geomancy that is supposed to help improve one’s life by bringing in positive energy), when you dry your body with a bath towel, you’re not just wiping away drops of water, but removing misfortune as well. So, if you use the same bath towel the following day without washing it, you’ll just be reintroducing the misfortune you had gone through the trouble of wiping away the previous day.
If that’s true, and the results of a recent survey are to be believed, then some of us are far luckier than others…
“This is one thing that I want to continue using until the day I die.”
Of all the things that Japan is renowned for– all of its architectural triumphs, pioneering technology, sexy shenanigans and mind-bending animation — it comes as a surprise to this writer to read that one Chinese blogger in Japan values one thing above all else. Residing in Japan for more than 15 years, this 39-year-old blogger and professor of fine arts claims that, were he to return to his homeland, he’d miss one item more than anything else, and simply can’t begin to fathom why it hasn’t caught on back home.
Forget underwater Walkman music players, forget strawberry ramen and cuddle cafes; for this man, the humble nylon wash cloth is the pinnacle of Japanese invention, and it has become an essential part of his life.
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
Japanese gravure idol strips down, plays drums to anime hits【Videos】
Japanese model proudly displays armpit hair on giant ad at Shibuya
Central Japan’s most famous cherry blossom spot now has sakura helicopter sky cruises
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura seasonTokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime characterJapanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping listStarbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day FrappuccinoCherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura seasonStudio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Japanese gravure idol strips down, plays drums to anime hits【Videos】
Japanese model proudly displays armpit hair on giant ad at Shibuya
Central Japan’s most famous cherry blossom spot now has sakura helicopter sky cruises
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
McDonald’s Japan hack: What happens when you put an apple pie inside a Big Mac?
Japanese schoolkids to be able to carry their books in official Harry Potter randoseru backpacks
Every piece of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli anime concept art to be published in new book series
Chance to play Tetris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan