Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (Page 12)
Website Crank In!! posted six new images from the live-action film of Eiko Kadono‘s fantasy novel series Kiki’s Delivery Service (Majo no Takkyūbin) on January 4. The images feature Kiki (Fūka Koshiba) and various other characters, including Tombo (Ryōhei Hirota, above) and Osono (Machiko Ono, below).
Ghibli films are celebrated the world over for their enchanting art, beautiful world-building, and family friendly plotlines. Stylistically, there are many things that set these movies apart from other animated titles, both in terms of common themes and art quality. The backgrounds will be scenic. The children will fly. Tears will fall like big, fat drops, and the food will always, always look enticing.
Latching on to that latter truth, Japanese news source My Navi Woman asked its readers which of Ghibli’s mouth-watering morsels they would most like to eat. 225 women responded, leading us to six of the most desirable dishes featured in Ghibli films.
While Amazon Japan may have its share of amusing, inappropriate, and disturbing reviews written by its customers, this (hopefully) mistaken listing is all on Amazon.
With rumors of a live-action remake of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service swirling, attention has been focused on the original movie. And now questions about the true nature of the adore cat Jiji are starting to surface. What are we talking about? Well… Read More
There were rumours recently about a live action version of Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service. What’s more, these reports claimed that Takashi Shimizu, the horror film director who brought us nightmare-inducing classics like The Grudge, would be sitting at the helm of the project. A horror take on the story of a cute 13-year-old witch? It seemed too good to be true! Well, it was a sad day when Studio Ghibli released an official statement quashing the salacious rumours, saying, “We have no involvement in the matter.”
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visaStudio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clashFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanOsaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in JapanStudio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Shiga woman defrauded 4.4M yen by man asking for money to fly down from the ISS and marry her
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
