JAXA
Five years from now, astronauts from Japan are going to have a rare opportunity to walk on the moon.
Starry-eyed space buffs rejoice! Japan is shooting for the moon (or at the very least will start preparations in two years).
Once you see her you’ll never unsee her… which sucks if you need to find your way around the Tsukuba Space Center.
These delectable little snacks will boldly go where no persimmon-seed-shaped cracker has gone before.
Japanese brewing and distilling company Suntory Holdings Limited recently announced their plans to send samples of whiskey to the International Space Station in order to investigate the effects of zero gravity on the aging process.
Do you have any aspiring astronauts, astronomers, aeronauts, or cosmologists in the house? If so, you’ve just stumbled upon the perfect birthday gift for said person.
For only 500 yen (US$4.05), you can now purchase legitimate fragments of a Japan-launched rocket being sold under the moniker uchuu gacha (“space capsules”). In fact, it’s such a good deal that we just had to buy one for ourselves!
Have you ever wanted to dress like an astronaut? Well, you’d better get your moon walk on, cause now you can–in terms of your undergarments, at least.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced a new line of cooling underwear vests designed using cutting-edge technology applicable to space research. A limited supply of the product, known by the slightly awkward yet wonderfully Japanese moniker “cooling by the space technology,” went on sale to the general public on May 30. While each vest will set you back 60,000 yen (US$590), isn’t knowing that you’re wearing the same thing as an astronaut enough to justify the price? More details after the jump.
Space is awesome. There’s no one who can disagree with that. It’s a simple fact of reality! Spaceflight, satellites, astronauts and all that jazz are just some of the coolest stuff on the planet…uhh…in the universe!
Helping to make all that coolness a reality are the amazing government agencies NASA (from United States) and JAXA (from Japan), who are devoted to the exploration of the great dark void that surrounds our planet. They’re also great partners, often working together to bring missions to fruition, like the GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) mission, for which JAXA developed something called the DPR (Dual-frequency Percipitation Radar).
And while their program is awesome, there’s actually something even more sweet to come out of this partnership: A gorgeous anime promotional video!
On March 29th, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced that they have developed a prototype camera which detects gamma-ray emitting radioactive material such as cesium and shows the exposure distribution over an image. They hope that it can be used to make clean-up of contaminated areas around Fukushima Daiichi more efficient by locating places where radioactive matter has accumulated.
Read More



















7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We suspected this Japanese cable car was an overpriced tourist trip, but we underestimated it
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
What does three months of Yoshinoya beef bowls do to your body? Medical study announces results
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Japan has a smartphone blanket so good it’s called the “blanket that ruins people”
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
What does three months of Yoshinoya beef bowls do to your body? Medical study announces results
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Japan has a smartphone blanket so good it’s called the “blanket that ruins people”
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
A close encounter with a dangerous criminal on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
We visit a Japanese cafe famous for John Lennon and epic pancakes
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Meet Hololive’s brand new adorable VTubers, designed to win you over with English
Heavyweight Japanese convenience store ramen festival! Three bowls of guilty pork pleasure
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace