Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Miyazaki (Page 2)
Recreating food from our favorite movies and anime is nothing new. We’ve already seen ramen straight out of Naruto and herring and pumpkin pot pie a la Kiki’s Delivery Service. But what is unusual is that this time it’s not die-hard anime fans breathing life into 2-D delicacies, but a cafeteria at one school in Japan. You won’t believe this special school menu featuring a week of delicious looking dishes from some of Hayao Miyazaki’s most famous works.
By now you are probably more than sick of hearing Pharell Williams’ “Happy.” We’re not ragging on the song, but we strongly suspect that the international hit, though infectious, has started to wear out its welcome. It took a dedicated Weird Al to even keep us interested through the summer, so we’d say it’s about time to put this song to bed. Maybe we’ll break it out again next summer and laugh at all the memories.
However, there is one thing the video has helped illustrate beyond people’s willingness to show off their dance skills (or lack thereof) for a YouTube video: The nebulous world of copyright violation in Japan.
Tsutsuki, near Yokohama, is making waves in the Japanese media for its unassuming highway that, when viewed from the right angle at night, forms the vague silhouette of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved character, Totoro.
The lighting on the street in question was apparently deliberately planned by the city so that it would look like “an animal with ears”, but even planners hadn’t intended it to look like studio Ghibli’s famous cat-like mascot.
Studio Ghibli announced on September 1 that Hayao Miyazaki is retiring. The director will hold a press conference on Friday to further explain the reasons for his retirement.
For all of Studio Ghibli’s acclaim, the famed House That Miyazaki Built has never once put out a direct sequel to one of its works. While various thematic threads run through all of Miyazaki’s films, the man, for all his genius, apparently lacks the attention span to stretch a concept into two films. That or he was just really hates the idea of tacking numbers to his movies’ titles.
However that may change soon if comments Hayao Miyazaki made at a recent interview promoting his latest film and ode to tobacco smoke, The Wind Rises, are to be believed.
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Japanese boss’ kind reaction to employee ditching work, playing pachinko, losing company car in fire
Japan’s Ninja Bear shot and killed in Hokkaido, eaten as yakiniku in Tokyo, to become stew next
Domino’s Japan’s new pineapple pizza crust: Awesome creation or food abomination?
Make matcha ice cream rice in your rice cooker with this easy recipe from Meiji
Nissin releases new Gaming Cup Noodle in Japan, with caffeine to keep you gaming all night long
McDonald’s adds a questionable Butterscotch Pie to its menu in Japan
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration eventsWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited timeInjuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan’s Ninja Bear shot and killed in Hokkaido, eaten as yakiniku in Tokyo, to become stew next
Domino’s Japan’s new pineapple pizza crust: Awesome creation or food abomination?
Make matcha ice cream rice in your rice cooker with this easy recipe from Meiji
Nissin releases new Gaming Cup Noodle in Japan, with caffeine to keep you gaming all night long
McDonald’s adds a questionable Butterscotch Pie to its menu in Japan
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
Father of shojo manga hosts yearly one-man exhibit with new and classic artwork【Images】
Nagoya elementary students caught defrauding classmate for nearly 1 million yen
Five things you can do to make hotel staff happy in Japan
The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is packed with entertainment, food, and drinks–with one caveat
Japan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?
Foreign-born convenience store manager in Japan saves elderly customer from being scammed