Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
NGOs
One thing foreign visitors to Japan immediately notice is the ubiquitous vending machines. Particularly in big cities, you can’t swing a tanuki without hitting a machine selling something. Mostly it’s soft drinks, but there are also vending machines for beer, cigarettes, hamburgers, used panties, weird toys, curry, fresh eggs, and pretty much anything under the sun. Now you can even get a good deed done with your canned coffee purchase at this vending machine accepting charitable donations.
As RocketNews24 readers, you are probably a bit more savvy than most about what Japanese food is, but for many, the concept doesn’t extend far beyond sushi. Despite its recent elevation to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status and its potential for international popularity, washoku still lacks global recognition and understanding.
That’s about to change, however, if newly launched project Peace Kitchen has their way, and we might all be better off for it.
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japan now has fish-shaped soy sauce bottle hand cream
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
Ghibli Park puts up Christmas trees and decorations, invites fans to “come search for Christmas”
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
One Japanese man has eaten at the same beef bowl restaurant for over 1,800 days in a row
Is Mario’s Birdo a boy or a girl? Years after her first appearance, the debate rages on
Amazing ukiyo-e art exhibit gives you the chance to step inside a woodblock print and snap photos
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour TotoroJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japan’s Kanji of the Year announced, shows the bright and dark spots of 2024【Video】
Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the animeStudio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
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 whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
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
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
One Japanese man has eaten at the same beef bowl restaurant for over 1,800 days in a row
Is Mario’s Birdo a boy or a girl? Years after her first appearance, the debate rages on
Amazing ukiyo-e art exhibit gives you the chance to step inside a woodblock print and snap photos
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
12 toilet oddities around the world that surprise Japan
The five-patty Lotteria burger wasn’t big enough, so we made a 35-patty burger instead!
Pizza Hut x Tamagotchi collaboration features first-ever pink-dough pizza
Majority of Japanese kids in survey almost never take a dump at school
Japan’s wedding gift etiquette rule is too expensive, young people in survey say
We taste the Adult Cream Pie from McDonald’s Japan