Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
itavans
Itasha, literally “painful cars,” are vehicles tricked out with all kinds of crazy body work and paint jobs so that they look like something out of an anime and are supposed to “hurt” just to look at. There’s a vibrant subculture of itasha owners and fans in Japan and they meet up every now and then to show off their wheels and talk shop. Take a look at our photo gallery and see if you don’t get a little depressed over your own car’s lack of fins.
Japanese government wants to build luxury resorts in all national parks for foreign tourists
Dark and edgy Jujustu Kaisen teams up with bright and cheery Sanrio for new merch line【Pics】
Japanese samurai randoseru backpack lets you carry the bushido spirit with you wherever you go
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Does Starbucks Japan’s new holiday Frappuccino really taste like a cup of fallen snow?
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Weird Japanese vending machine find of the day: Cream in cans?
Hello Kitty shows up at Baskin-Robins Japan for 50th birthday party with special sweets and merch
Japanese woman stumbles on the power of the infamous “gaijin seat” phenomenon during flight
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
American gun owner opens our eyes to a different way of life in Tokyo
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
New Akita Inu and Hachiko marshmallows are the best and squishiest souvenirs from Japan
Burger King Japan creates Kyoto Whopper, its most Japanese burger ever, with Kyoto rice merchant
Starbucks Japan unveils new Holiday goods for 2024
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twistDiscovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindNintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
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
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Weird Japanese vending machine find of the day: Cream in cans?
Hello Kitty shows up at Baskin-Robins Japan for 50th birthday party with special sweets and merch
Japanese woman stumbles on the power of the infamous “gaijin seat” phenomenon during flight
Shogun Coffee Soft Serve is a divine ice cream for modern-day samurai in Japan
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Legendary shojo manga classics get reprints as miniature capsule toys with full-volume contents
Vegetables are smarter than fruits: Three high IQ Japanese veggies
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo’s super-secret-location sushi restaurant has a stand-up sister shop that’s open to all
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight