Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Makoto
September 26 of this year marked the end of the series finale of the popular swimming anime, Free!, though fans of the series remain highly active on the Internet and at doujinshi (fan comic) events.
Recently, there’s been a real flurry of excitement within the Free! fandom on Asian blogs and online gossip columns over one fan’s genius idea to get the series’ token sweetheart to lie between her sheets. Because who wouldn’t want to sleep next to such beautiful 2-D biceps, right?
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Osaka teen arrested for hacking into Internet cafe’s app to steal data, was helped by Chat-GPT
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japanese curry chain in Thailand has a surprisingly Japanese dish not found in Japan
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Krispy Kreme releases a special tsukimi moon-viewing doughnut in Japan
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke goodJapan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourismNintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answerJapan’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】
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Krispy Kreme releases a special tsukimi moon-viewing doughnut in Japan
Visiting the Kikyoya Shingen Mochi theme park takes some planning–but it’s a stop worth making!
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
McDonald’s releases new Come on Baby New York Burgers in Japan
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Flex and pose your way to fitness with the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure exercise program!【Video】
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Bring your 2-D waifu to life with world’s first life-sized “emotional” robotic figurine 【Video】
Japan’s new KFC-flavor potato chips don’t taste like KFC, but they do taste like chicken【Taste test】