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



















New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Burger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
Japanese government creates new word for cruelly hot summer days
Tokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
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
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
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
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
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
Burger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
Japanese government creates new word for cruelly hot summer days
Tokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Manga artist Kenya Suzuki convicted of child pornography charges, given suspended prison sentence
Mighty, meaty Tokyo ramen joint flips script by overflowing the bowl with delicious chashu pork
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Here’s the best spot to take in a panoramic view at “the most beautiful Starbucks in the world”
Yakuza bosses struggling to upgrade phones from 3G
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】