Adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki anime returns to two Japanese cities, first performances to be held this summer.
Kanna Hashimoto
Couldn’t make it to the theater to see the adaptation of the Studio Ghibli anime masterpiece? Now you can watch it from home.
Chihiro, Haku, and No Face all take the stage as Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece comes to life.
Cast appear on stage for the first time to give us a sneak peek at the upcoming production.
Hayao Miyazaki gives blessing after meeting with Caird to project that’s been in development for four years.
Test your knowledge of Japanese slang from the ’70s onwards with these limited-edition cup noodles!
Kanna Hashimoto is called the “once in a millennium” idol, but her manager is one in a million too.
The special headset delivers a Japanese sweet into your mouth in real-time as this “once-in-a-millenium beauty” feeds it to you.
Former members of AKB48 and Rev. from DVL saluted.
The last couple of years have been benchmark ones for Halloween in Japan. What was once a holiday marked mostly by the infrequent sighting of a handful of mildly embarrassed-looking, costumed foreigners on the Yamanote Line train has grown into a massive industry.
In fact, Halloween has become just as much a holiday about 20 and 30-somethings dressing up as sexy nurses, sexy zombies, sexy superheroes, and other sexy-choose-a-nouns as its American counterpart. But while those costumes were no doubt getting plenty of attention on Shibuya Crossing last night, the Japanese Internet had already decided the undisputed Queen of Halloween was this far more conservatively dressed “once-in-millenium beauty”.
On 16 April, idol group, Rev. from DVL, released their first major single through entertainment giant Yoshimoto Kogyo, thanks largely to the break-out success of member Kanna Hashimoto.
However, what was intended to be a celebration of the Fukuoka-based unit’s new-found fame ended up generating sad and bitter complaints from idol fans. At the center of the controversy was the inclusion of tickets to a “high-five party” bundled in with their single LOVE-arigatou-.
About a half a year ago, the charming face of a local idol from Fukuoka was plastered all over the internet. Kanna Hashimoto’s genuine charm and cuteness had won over the country literally overnight. Shortly afterwards, we were able to meet the up and coming star and buy a pair of glasses. There we found Hashimoto’s charm wasn’t just a fluke of the original photo that shot her into the spotlight.
Now we’re happy to see that her rise to fame hasn’t slowed down one bit with a recent appearance in the hugely popular SoftBank commercial series featuring the Shirato family. Not only that, she has also thrown the ceremonial first pitch at Opening Day of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 2014 season.
Recently, computer glasses have become quite popular and are sold in shops everywhere in Japan. I never really bought into the concept even though my work requires painfully long hours in front of a computer screen. However, a couple of days ago we announced that up-and-coming idol Kanna Hashimoto would be appearing at two ALOOK glasses stores in Tokyo and Osaka.
After wrapping up that article I wiped the usual blood from my tired eyes and thought maybe it’s time to try out a pair. And what better way to do it than by meeting this future star while I’m at it!
We headed down to the grand opening of ALOOK in Shinsaibashi, Osaka to meet the starlet and see what all the fuss is about.
A month ago, Japanese people all over the country woke up to this photo of Fukuoka-based idol Kanna Hashimoto of the group Rev. From DVL all over the internet. And just like that, her modest level of local fame on stage has been skyrocketing. Some are calling her an idol that you’d find once in a thousand years.
We’re not sure who came up with that title or how it was calculated, but certainly no idol has caught the nation’s attention without any gimmicks or PR stunts like Hashimoto has from simply a photograph.
Thanks to this new-found fame Kanna Hashimoto will be making appearances all over Japan. In fact, tomorrow those living in Tokyo or Osaka will have a chance to buy some glasses from her at the grand opening of ALOOK stores in each city.

















Cruising around Gunkanjima, Japan’s otherworldly “Battleship Island”【Photos】
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
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】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
Japanese Internet confused and intrigued by sudden influx of “choking Sasuke memes”
Authentic Thai food in Thailand found in the least expected place
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
What’s in a Lawson fukubukuro lucky bag?
Life-size Mewtwo, graffiti Pikachu welcome us to the newest Pokémon Center megastore in Shibuya
“Top 20 Best Breakfast Hotels in Japan 2019” ranking has our mouths watering in anticipation
Jimmy Choo and Sailor Moon collaboration brings us gorgeous high-fashion Sailor Scout shoes