Ibaraki
Can the collective Internet come up with a possible solution, or just crack a bunch of monkey jokes?
With sakura season done in the Tokyo area, it’s time to switch from pink to blue and the 4.5 million Nemophila flowers of this amazing park.
This promotional video series will leave you with chills, planning your next trip to Japan
Muscles, hot springs and stunning scenery combine to create some memorable slow motion bathing experiences.
Everyone notices the girlish clothes, but those with a trained eye have also spotted the boyish wings.
Chef Yuji Ota shows us how to turn McDonald’s food into Ribollita, Carrozza, and Gattò di Patate with three easy recipes.
Last week, we discussed the possible etymology of Kinugawa (“Angry Demon River”), which has been the scene of intense flooding in eastern Japan this month. While the overflowing river has devastated the surrounding towns and landscapes in its wake, a single building in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture has been gaining particular attention for being the only structure within sight to stand firmly in place in the face of a deluge of muddy water.
When disaster zones are inaccessible by ground—such as the areas of Japan hit by widespread and deadly flooding last week—news broadcasters typically take to the air, relaying footage from helicopters. In the city of Joso, Ibaraki, news helicopters captured dramatic footage of rescue teams winching people to safety from rooftops on Thursday after the Kinugawa River burst its banks.
But helicopters can only get so close, and so authorities in Japan are now using drones to capture footage in disaster areas. The drones can fly closer to disaster-hit areas than a manned helicopter, offering a different and dramatic perspective.
And drones are not only being used to survey these areas hit by flooding and landslides; they are also starting to be used in rescue missions.
The flooding in Japan has been absolutely awful, without a doubt, and the news has rightly been focused on the resulting devastation. But there is one aspect of the flooding that’s become a bit of a hot topic online, aside from all the rescues and damage. The overflowing river has an…unusual name: Kinu River or the Angry Demon River.
Obviously, the name has proven to be quite apt this year, but it sparked a lot of discussion online as people have wondered: Where the heck did this name come from?!
Coverage of the heavy rains and typhoon that have swept through Japan this week have dominated much of the news in the country. Today, TV screens were filled with reports on the devastating flooding in Ibaraki Prefecture, where waters burst through the banks and flooded the city of Joso. Images and videos of rescue operations have been widely broadcast on TV, and the news is nothing less than shocking for many.
But one Twitter user saved from the waters by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces wasn’t too scared to tweet photos of his rescue while still inside the helicopter!
Yuru-kyara, or regional promotional mascots, are so ubiquitous in Japan it can sometimes be hard to recall which one’s which, where they’re from, or even what type of brand or product they’re promoting.
Over 1,000 mascots represent different regions in Japan, which means the need to leave a lasting impression is a constant driving force in the creation of cute products like the sweet puppy above. Can you guess which region he represents and the even more unusual place where he can be found?
We don’t think we have to tell you that when some lunatic wearing a sandwich board starts telling you that the earth will open up and swallow humanity whole if you don’t do seven Hail Marys, constantly chant “Yahweh,” and transfer a small donation exceeding 10 dollars to his PayPal account right now, you can probably take that prediction with a grain of salt.
But, when it comes to earthquakes, there are actually some pretty solid, observable predictors that one may be coming soon. And, holy crap you guys, there are a bunch of those happening right now in Japan and I for one am starting to get worried.
Japan is known for a lot of things, such as its culture, its safety, and its traditional foods, but it is definitely not known for making delicious pizza. In fact, some of the pizza chains have come out with some really wacky creations over the years.
However, there are quite a few independent pizza places throughout Japan, which can, of course, be found in the cities, but sometimes can even be found in small towns or along mountain roads, yet they will still often be equipped with special pizza ovens. If you want good pizza in Japan, you should search for these places, it will be well worth the trouble!
One such independent place is Amici in Ibaraki Prefecture, where they serve pizza and the lesser known Italian pie, the pizza fritta, or deep-fried pizza. Our reporter visited Amici, but not just to try the delicious fried pizza pockets, he went to experience the cooking process too!
Who said heroes don’t exist? In Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan they most certainly do!
Read on to meet the IBALIGER robot-superhero group and the female member who netizens have been describing as “too sexy”.
Anyone who has ever visited Japan or spent any amount of time browsing our pages will know that the country is home to literally hundreds of mascot characters, or yurukyara, each weirder than the last. From developmentally challenged sushi to the nightmarish Okazaemon, there’s certainly no lack of originality and quirk to be had.
But one small Ibrakai town has a new mascot character that, according to Japanese net users and our own Japanese staff, “even a mother couldn’t love.” This, ladies and gentlemen of the internet, is Araippe, a creature with bird-like feet, a shell for a nose, and dangling locks of hair that are actually fish fry.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Looking for a unique afternoon tea in Tokyo? Have a picnic indoors at Fruit Picnic in Harajuku
“Students are only allowed three sneezes in class” Japanese people share their worst school rules
Japanese convenience stores want you to be honest and request to pay higher sales tax rate
Japanese netizen takes photo of cuddly foxes, draws burly monstrosity out of it
“We wasted so much time in English class” — Japanese Twitter user points out major teaching flaw
You could be renting this 300-year-old samurai era house in Japan right now
Lone Wolf and Cub’s Kazuo Koike passes away, final tweet is a salute to his manga rival
Nine questions we have from Netflix’s Rilakkuma trailer, which reminds us he is NOT a bear【Video】
What does “Konnichiwa” really mean? Understanding Japanese greetings
30 ways people keep reacting to our born-in-America returnee Japanese writer
Weekly
- “We wasted so much time in English class” — Japanese Twitter user points out major teaching flaw
Distressed about heading to the vet, this kitty breaks into fluent Japanese
Japan’s amazing wisteria flowers are here to make us all forget about the cherry blossoms【Photos】
This nonconformist Japanese schoolgirl is ready for any bullies who tease her about her backpack
The time someone pooped next to us on the train during Tokyo rush hour, and we tried to be nice
Handsome Japanese YouTuber surprises fans with photos of his “dorky” high school self
Hayao Miyazaki still looking for talented staff to join Studio Ghibli for new anime production
Japanese high school will suspend students who don’t reveal their social media account names
Maid cafe maid is in no mood to put up with complaints about guys who have girlfriends- Lone Wolf and Cub’s Kazuo Koike passes away, final tweet is a salute to his manga rival
Monthly
The train station that stayed open for a single school girl finally closes down
Chinese couple’s wedding crashed by groom’s ex-girlfriend, dressed in her own wedding dress【Vid】
Immigration raid at anime convention ends with five Japanese cosplayers being arrested overseas- This nonconformist Japanese schoolgirl is ready for any bullies who tease her about her backpack
- “We wasted so much time in English class” — Japanese Twitter user points out major teaching flaw
All-new World of Thighs Photography exhibition opens in Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood this month
Disney is making an anime-style dating simulator where you meet handsome villain boys
Japanese net users speculate on a subtle design feature of the Toyota Prius…related to booze
Shiba Inu boss lazes around in flowers while winning Japanese workers’ hearts
Zelda fan’s Sheikah Slate turns charging his phone into a scene from Breath of the Wild【Video】
Yearly
New Pokémon dress shirt line lets you dress like an adult in the company of all 151 Kanto species
Prominent boob-centric manga artist shocks fans by revealing she’s a beautiful buxom woman
Ariana Grande “fixes” her 7 Rings Japanese kanji tattoo, but it still says tiny charcoal grill- The train station that stayed open for a single school girl finally closes down
You have One Piece creator’s official permission to have sexy fantasies about his characters- Chinese couple’s wedding crashed by groom’s ex-girlfriend, dressed in her own wedding dress【Vid】
Japanese Penis Festival 2019: Everything you need to know for this year’s Kanamara Matsuri
Japanese Twitter community shocked to learn that train timetables are made with Microsoft Excel
Sonic the Hedgehog creator gets one last blow to his pride on final visit to Sega office in Tokyo
Decorate your whole house like Sailor Moon’s Moon Castle with the new Isetan collaboration
RECOMMENDED STORIES
You could be renting this 300-year-old samurai era house in Japan right now
Lone Wolf and Cub’s Kazuo Koike passes away, final tweet is a salute to his manga rival
Nine questions we have from Netflix’s Rilakkuma trailer, which reminds us he is NOT a bear【Video】
What does “Konnichiwa” really mean? Understanding Japanese greetings
30 ways people keep reacting to our born-in-America returnee Japanese writer
Japanese Internet cafe chain evolves into Internet hotel great for backpackers, budget travelers
Hayao Miyazaki still looking for talented staff to join Studio Ghibli for new anime production
Japan’s Top 10 Favourite Cat Breeds for 2013: Who will be Top Cat?
Same-sex “kiss friends” now trending in Japanese high schools
What’s under Rilakkuma’s suit? Find out for yourself with this insanely cosy onesie
Track the stylistic evolution of Eiichiro Oda’s most famous One Piece characters
The defrosted reality of 24 frozen meals at Thai 7-Elevens [Photos]
-
