legend
Every Japanese person knows about kappa, the tricksy and sometimes dangerous, yet strangely polite, water demons from ancient folklore. But how many have actually seen one in real life?
Next month, people will have the chance to, when parts of a supposedly real kappa go on display in all their mummified glory.
More than likely, you’ve heard of the legend of the ninja, the stealthy hired hands and spies for regional warlords in feudal Japan. But considering how popular ninjas are in the modern world, from video games to ninja-themed American bars, it can be pretty hard to separate historical fact from fiction. And today we have three stories for you about this secretive bunch that may help to give a little more light to the mythos surrounding ninja and the truth behind some of these larger-than-life tales. Click below to read three anecdotes (of varying veracity) about what made ninjas into the legend they are today!
State media in North Korea, notorious for its far-fetched claims like the late Kim Jong Il’s near-impossible golf scores and how the earth around his birthplace cracked at the moment of his death, is reported to have told its public last week that the lair of a mythical unicorn-like creature had been discovered by archaeologists.
Cue the sound of crayons being dropped the world over and dewy-eyed children turning to their parents and yelling “See!? They are real!”
MOST POPULAR
Now
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Pokémon doughnuts appear at Mister Donut, with Diglett as the star!
Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】
Dark and edgy Jujustu Kaisen teams up with bright and cheery Sanrio for new merch line【Pics】
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Why is Osaka “the most livable city in Japan” according to a recent survey?
McDonald’s Japan now sells pies in…Dalmatian dog boxes
Japanese whisky goes into these new sandwiches from Fuji Baking and Nagahama Distillery
Does Starbucks Japan’s new holiday Frappuccino really taste like a cup of fallen snow?
Weekly
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
American gun owner opens our eyes to a different way of life in Tokyo
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
New Akita Inu and Hachiko marshmallows are the best and squishiest souvenirs from Japan
Burger King Japan creates Kyoto Whopper, its most Japanese burger ever, with Kyoto rice merchant
Starbucks Japan unveils new Holiday goods for 2024- Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
- Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind- Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Yearly
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
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Why is Osaka “the most livable city in Japan” according to a recent survey?
McDonald’s Japan now sells pies in…Dalmatian dog boxes
Japanese whisky goes into these new sandwiches from Fuji Baking and Nagahama Distillery
Does Starbucks Japan’s new holiday Frappuccino really taste like a cup of fallen snow?
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
Tuna born from mackerel: Japanese scientists develop surrogate tech to save threatened species
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi Moon Viewing Burgers for 2024
Hello Kitty shows up at Baskin-Robins Japan for 50th birthday party with special sweets and merch
What if Sailor Moon characters were lingerie models? They’d look stunning like this 【Photos】
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Japan has a smartphone blanket so good it’s called the “blanket that ruins people”
We visit Japan’s “cave of death,” said to end the life of those who dream of it
-
