Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Isao Machii
The master swordsman Isao Machii has been dicing up whatever has been thrown at him so far. Whether it’s shrimp, fruit, or soybeans, this expert has left his cutting mark in a field of sliceable items.
One field he hasn’t turned his sword on yet is baseball, but considering how much Japan loves the game, it was only a matter of time before Machii would step up to the plate, and he’s done so in an impressive display of swordsmanship you won’t want to miss.
They call him ‘The Modern-Day Samurai’. Master swordsman Isao Machii can slice a BB gun pellet in mid-air. He holds four World Records for swordsmanship – so what’s he doing slicing up fruit in this ad for Toaster Strudels?
It’s still a cool video, though, as he slices his way through watermelons and pineapples at lightning speed. Join us after the jump for a look at this “live action fruit ninja” vid. What would Gretchen Weiners’s father think?
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Development of Puyo Puyo puzzle game for use in nursing homes underway
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The Sailor Moon theme song is based on another song about drinking a lot of tequila【Video】
Osaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourismThe 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on EarthNaruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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 homeJapan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The Sailor Moon theme song is based on another song about drinking a lot of tequila【Video】
Osaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
We tried a Korean brand of ramen that has a black broth, and it caused our brains to malfunction
Pepsi Zero Peach is being released in one area of Japan
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
This is what a 10,000-yen (US$92) Tokyo bento boxed lunch looks like【Taste test】
Buddhist priest at Japanese temple lodging goes viral for rude responses to tourist’s bad reviews