Now she even frolics on her bed before her half-naked piano performance.
jazz
The legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki and the Studio Ghibli films have amassed a huge following from an incredibly diverse and very loyal fan base (some more than others) around the world. Famed Italian jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi is one such fan and tapped into his inner Miyazaki fanboy to release an album last week featuring jazz covers of 10 popular songs from Studio Ghibli films as well as other classic Japanese anime like Cowboy Bebop and Lupin III. The album, named after the French title of Laputa: Castle in the Sky, is Mirabassi’s homage to Japanese anime and a beautiful take on the iconic songs.
While thoughts of the Roaring 20s typically conjure images of flappers and raucous parties, now it can also remind you of Super Mario Bros. Los Angeles jazz musicians, The Handy Dandy Boys, recently recorded a mean, jazzy version of the “Overworld BGM” theme from Super Mario Bros., complete with banjo plucking, a brass section, and a silent film-inspired, mustachioed music videothat will put a pep in your step.
Japan has made quite a name for itself in the world of high-powered technology. It’s no lie that seeing the words “Made in Japan” stamped on the back side of any camera or other electronic device gives one the immediate impression of superior quality. Why, Japan is so advanced that even their street performers are technological geniuses! No really, imagine our surprise when we heard that a creative craftsman in Osaka developed his own life-size singing robot, the likes of which are rarely found outside of the enclosed passages of Disney’s “Small World” attraction. Brimming with intrigue, we immediately took to the streets of Osaka to find out more about this singing robot and the man who created it. Read More
MOST POPULAR
Now
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
First Shiba Inu police dog in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture now on duty[Video]
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
New Japanese vending machines to love: The ones that sell Hiroshima’s best dessert!
Japanese sandals dyed with real Uji matcha are here to whisk you off your feet
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
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
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
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
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
New Japanese vending machines to love: The ones that sell Hiroshima’s best dessert!
Japanese sandals dyed with real Uji matcha are here to whisk you off your feet
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
We eat at a brand new pasta shop with all-you-can-eat tofu run by one of our favorite restaurants
Godzilla turns fuzzy for his 60th birthday with adorable results, we stop by to say hi
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Upskirt photos lead Japanese high school to redesign cheerleader uniforms
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
New sushi restaurant hidden inside Tokyo Station is a secret gem
-
