Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
packaging design
When receiving a gift or even after buying a snack at the convenience store, it’s sometimes hard not to just rip open the package to get to the goodies inside. But if you find yourself in the possession of one of the following products, you might want to pause and take a few moments to admire the hard work and creativity that went in to designing the packaging. Here are 10 beautiful product packages from Japan, all of which have won at the Pentawards, a worldwide packaging design competition.
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
After 21 years, Harajuku’s famous Lolita fashion and cosplay shop is permanently closing
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
New Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon collaboration brings anime magic to bags, shoes and accessories
Starbucks Japan releases a Chocolate Mousse Latte and seasonal desserts to celebrate autumn
We try to buy a retro Japanese coin-operated arcade machine at this secondhand shop near Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases first flower drink in exclusive, hard-to-find chilled cup series
Pizza Hut Japan creates Landmine-type Pizza to celebrate Japan’s dark jirai-kei fashion
Street Fighter sushi bento boxes are here so you won’t have to fight on an empty stomach
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumnJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Pizza Hut adds a “Guilty Secret” sandwich to its menu for a limited time
Right now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new Totoro and Jiji blankets to keep you cosy this winterJapanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
This Tokyo rice ball takes 20 years to make and 2,000 yen (US$14.30) to buy, but is it worth it?
Game over for Classic Mini Famicom and Super Famicom as Nintendo announces end of repairs
Ultimate lazy sukiyaki – Can you make the king of Japanese hot pots in a rice cooker?【Taste test】
Give yourself a Totoro belly with Studio Ghibli’s Marshmallow Haramaki belly wraps
KFC Genshin Impact fried chicken combo meals now on sale in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading JapaneseJapanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli lets you cosplay as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle with cosy anime fashion range
New Hello Kitty McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal toys are here, and Kitty’s sister is part of the set
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens gets its own moon for moon-viewing seasonPizza Hut adds a “Guilty Secret” sandwich to its menu for a limited timeRight now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Matsushima restaurant offers all-you-can-eat sashimi in as many ways as you can dream it【Photos】
Super budget-friendly retro Tokyo hotel feels like having your own 1960s Asakusa apartment
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[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
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
We try to buy a retro Japanese coin-operated arcade machine at this secondhand shop near Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases first flower drink in exclusive, hard-to-find chilled cup series
Pizza Hut Japan creates Landmine-type Pizza to celebrate Japan’s dark jirai-kei fashion
Street Fighter sushi bento boxes are here so you won’t have to fight on an empty stomach
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Right now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Studio Ghibli adds magic to your matcha with new tea ceremony whisk and bowl
Osaka zookeeper caught stealing chimpanzees’ food
Studio Ghibli releases new Totoro and Jiji blankets to keep you cosy this winter
Earn up to $5,000 per month with a side business in ‘independent’ vending machines
This Tokyo rice ball takes 20 years to make and 2,000 yen (US$14.30) to buy, but is it worth it?
Asahi Brewery asks: Why not mix beer and Calpis? So we do…
Site of the worst bear attack in Japanese history is a chilling place to visit