Japan’s most quirkily empathetic monk is back to keep bad mojo away from us as the year ends.
monks
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
To make matters stranger, the video is part of a promotional tie-in with a popular candy company designed to cheer on a certain group of students.
” ‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
These ascetic noodles taste like soy sauce, and leave out all animal products — as well as the five pungent roots!
Start your day with a healthy serving of adorable felines and their kind-hearted owner.
Buddhist monks juggle, box, dance to show their garments are no hindrance after monk refuses to pay fine for driving in his robe.
Many people are siding with the Mt Koya priest, who said he was frustrated by tourists who post “arrogant responses like they’re some travel pioneer”.
A soul-soothing way to start the day.
In pretty much any major city around the world, you’re bound to run in to a person collecting money for some cause or other. It could be in aid of curing a deadly disease, cutting world hunger, protecting the environment or even animal rights activists PETA asking for donations when they’re not making online videogames…
In Japan, it’s not uncommon to encounter Buddhist monks, standing still in the street with a bowl in hand, asking for donations. This is a tradition that has existed in Japan for centuries, and, while few busy city-dwellers stop to drop a few yen in the bowl, even fewer would begrudge the monks for doing it since they have scant income and bring a lot of comfort to many people.
A photo that appeared online earlier this week, however, showing what appears to be two monks sitting in a side-street laughing and smoking while counting their takings for the day, has caused quite a stir among Japan’s internet users…
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Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Koei Tecmo continues to be an investment firm that also happens to make video games
Studio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character
Japan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan’s new wearable air conditioner belt is here just in time for the Tokyo heat wave
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