Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
otome game
The dating simulator scene is getting weirder and weirder, so it’s hard to be surprised by anything they come up with these days. Humans are already old news and we’re now used to romancing all manner of strange creatures. Even so, this mobile game for girls caught my eye with its unique character designs and by promising love with powerful ancient Egyptian deities.
Do you even lift? ‘Cos these macho guys certainly do! While the heroes of otome games, story-based romance games aimed at women, tend to err on the feminine side, the hunks in this mobile game cater specifically to women (or men!) who like their guys beefy. And when I see beefy, I mean ox-on-steroids beefy.
The “magical girl” anime trope is well-established in Japan. Usually, a high-school girl discovers she has magical powers and bands together with her classmates who also have magical powers in order to save the world from evil forces. But what if, instead of pretty magical girls, we had boys instead? Pretty, magical boys? Well, new series Binan Koukou Chikyuu Boueibu LOVE (Pretty High School Boys Save The World Club LOVE) is here to break down gender stereotypes (or just pander to the female love of pretty boys) with their brand-new anime show which launches in 2015 (and, oh, there’s a video game, too…)
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
Forget dog-earing and bookmarks that fall, make your own easy origami bookmark instead!
Ukiyo-e Heroes: Amazing Nintendo woodblock prints created via traditional, handmade methods【Pics】
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
We test Japan’s brand-new Muscle Suit Every exoskeleton【Video】
Singaporeans are getting creative when it comes to combating the low fertility rate
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
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?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasonsJapan’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 yenReal-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
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
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 overtourism
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
We test Japan’s brand-new Muscle Suit Every exoskeleton【Video】
Singaporeans are getting creative when it comes to combating the low fertility rate
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
Family Mart’s new products lead to a luxurious breakfast senbero【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Amazing Pringles flavours exist in Japan
Visit Kiki’s Bakery at a unique fairytale village in Japan