Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Moog
On May 23rd, the world awoke to a new Google doodle daring us not waste our time pushing keys and turning knobs to make funky new sounds. This doodle was of course a recreation of a Moog Synthesizer developed by Dr. Robert Moog who would have turned 78 had he been alive.
Thanks to one highly talented keyboardist, we were also treated to two blasts from the past, a flawless rendition of the Dragon Quest intro music as played on a Moog on Google’s top page.
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japanese train station vending machine has the best souvenirs for rail otaku
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Pokémon Smart Bath Mats are amazingly cute, but there’s more to them than meets the eye【Photos】Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the pastOne of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frostStudio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet rangeStation of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s ShinjukuJapanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a wholeJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengersPossessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Pokémon Smart Bath Mats are amazingly cute, but there’s more to them than meets the eye【Photos】
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
We spend five days trapped in a hotel room for our ‘Isolation Experiment’
Japan’s anime waist skirts have become a line of femininely fashionable one-piece dresses