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



Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
McDonald’s Japan hack: Make a Chicken Tatsuta in five minutes anywhere in the world
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Police cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
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
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Police cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
This historical Kyoto zen garden is hosting a guitar and beatbox concert
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]