The new year may have already begun according to the calendar, but it hasn’t really started until you see this video!
kitties
You know what everyone in Japan loves these days? Smartphone games. They keep you busy on the daily commute without requiring too much in-depth concentration, and Japanese smartphone game makers are seriously smart – they know how to keep players hooked. By combining the human need for constant “reward” feedback with our penchant for adorable cartoon kitties, they’ve come up with a winner of an app that everyone who likes fun can’t stop playing – Neko Atsume!
Now available for both Android and iOS and with a whole slew of new features, there’s never been a better time to get into this incredibly addictive yet simple cat-collecting time-waster…
Making replicas of your pets using a variety of mediums including their own fur seems to be a fad that’s captured the hearts of some of the more natty crafters out there. Now, we’d like to introduce you to woodworking artist and sculptor Mio Hashimoto, whose carvings are almost perfect replicas of various animals including her own pet kitty and doggy (although we think they’re starting to become a tad suspicious…)
So, do you like cats? Okay, that’s a silly question–of course you like cats. But how much do you like cats? Are you a one-cat-in-my-lap kind of person or are you a CATS-ON-ALL-THE-THINGS kind of person? Hopefully you’re more the latter than the former, because where we’re going today, there’s just about nothing but cats. And cat butts.
Taking a small jaunt out of Japan, we’ll be heading down to Houtong in Taiwan, a village with over 100 incredibly photogenic cats–and a major tourist destination for locals and travelers alike!




Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Turn your cat’s toilet trips into day-spa visits with this adorable “onsen” litter box
The dream of all-you-can-eat Japanese convenience store fried chicken is now a reality
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Turn your cat’s toilet trips into day-spa visits with this adorable “onsen” litter box
The dream of all-you-can-eat Japanese convenience store fried chicken is now a reality
We find a vending machine selling ‘Great Buddha flavoured’ drinkable whipped cream
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines
Tokyo’s cheapest shoe chain and 10 pairs of kicks that cost less than 10 bucks each
English hot spring manners poster is so thorough, even Japanese people are learning from it
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Ramen with bread and grilled cheese topping is our favourite noodle trend in Tokyo right now
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The End