There appears to be a mascot for everything in Japan. Leave it to advertising agencies here to put a face on whatever product they are selling. But some products and promotions are difficult to create adorable characters for. How do you encapsulate all the intricate eccentricities of a city, for example, in one single super-deformed character?
Well Katsushika City in Tokyo is approaching the problem in a different way, but choosing not just one “cute character” to represent them but having an entire cast of beautiful heroines. Say hello to Katsukore!
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
Totoro Christmas tree cookie sets are here, are extra-special for Ghibli fans with a little luck
Chiikawa lucky bag required a four-month wait, but was it worth it?【Photos】
Japan now has fish-shaped soy sauce bottle hand cream
Sanrio amusement park opening first new attraction in six years: an ultra-cute meet-and-greet house
“Not paying any dating expenses at all” listed as domestic violence by Japanese government agency
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
New Japanese banknotes selling online for up to 40 times original value
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 4 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Japan’s Kanji of the Year announced, shows the bright and dark spots of 2024【Video】
Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
“Not paying any dating expenses at all” listed as domestic violence by Japanese government agency
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
New Japanese banknotes selling online for up to 40 times original value
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 4 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Let’s make sashimi with…whatever in God’s name this thing is【SoraKitchen】
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Sushi Bears restaurant opens in Tokyo, offers exactly what its name promises【Photos】
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Ranma 1/2 Cafe opening in three Japanese cities, features food with transformable flavors
Starbucks Japan releases a special tea latte to celebrate the Year of the Snake
Announcing the Find Girlfriends for Takamichi and Takuya Project — Applications open!