Nogizaka 46 romance simulator is an odd mix of daydream fantasy and unintentional cynicism.
J-Pop (Page 7)
Amid tension between countries in East Asia, techno dance group World Order travels to China to promote their message of peace in their latest music video.
You can probably tell which stations they’ll be played at, but can you guess which songs have been chosen?
Suit tossed out of Tokyo district court in rare win for idols’ romantic freedom.
The five members of the popular group appeared sombre during their special television appearance last night.
Reports indicate that the five-man vocal group’s 25-year stint in the Japanese spotlight is about to come to a close.
Are you a fan of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu? Then perhaps you’ll like her new “little sister” Hamada Bamyu Bamyu, Japan’s latest quirky pop sensation.
With gigantic casts of characters who are groomed to become fan favorites, what’s not to love? Did your favorite idol anime make the list?
J-pop vocalists dress up as Miss Claus.
The famed Hollywood director was ready to set his phaser to “idol.”
Because why stop at 40 pieces when you could order 48, or just keep going into quadruple digits to really support your favorite Japanese idol singer?
Java sparrows are pretty popular pets in Japan, where they’re called buncho. But even though buncho literally means “literature bird,” some of the cute little creatures apparently have more of a gift for music, like in this video of one Java sparrow dancing adorably to the sounds of one of Japan’s most popular rock bands and singing along like he’s at karaoke.
The world’s biggest virtual idol is returning to the U.S. on a new concert tour, and also making her Canadian performance debut.
In Japan, there truly is an all-singing, all-dancing “idol” group for everything. From plus-sized beauties to macho men and octogenarians, if you’ve got a unique message and a catchy tune, there’ll be a niche audience out there waiting to share your next video and dance along with glow sticks at your next performance.
Just when we thought the happy-go-lucky, free-for-all nature of the amateur idol world had no boundaries, it seems there is one line that can’t be crossed: schoolgirls and religion. Meet the “Num-Num Girls”, a Buddhism-based schoolgirl pop group that has been shut down for becoming too popular.
It’s widely known in Japan that idol singers are often contractually prohibited from engaging in romantic relationships. The reasoning goes that if word gets out that an idol singer has a boyfriend, her fans will feel betrayed that she isn’t solely devoted to her role as a musician and entertainer, and thus stop buying her CDs (there’s also the unspoken implication that openly dating someone will destroy the fantasies of individual fans that would like to date the singer themselves).
A signed contract isn’t always enough to keep young love and hormones in check, though. And when you consider that idols are almost always attractive, outgoing young women, it seems like it should be only a matter of time until they find a guy they fancy out of their swarms of would-be suitors. That’s why in addition to legal pledges not to date, the Japanese entertainment industry has a number of sneaky tactics up its sleeve to prevent its idols from falling in love or going on a single date.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Burger King Japan’s All Heavy customisation hack may not be all it’s cracked up to be
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Uniqlo’s new Dragon Ball T-shirts and hoodies modeled for the first time【Photos】
Number of foreigners working in Japan hits all-time high, 25 percent come from same country
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Weekly
- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
- Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday- Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Yearly
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Uniqlo’s new Dragon Ball T-shirts and hoodies modeled for the first time【Photos】
Number of foreigners working in Japan hits all-time high, 25 percent come from same country
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
Giant wearable baby head, huge randoseru backpack part of empathy-boosting art exhibit in Japan
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Shinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
Japan Tobacco Unveils 1000 Yen Pack of Smokes
The dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
-
