Our reporter also spotlights some of her favorites from across the kawaii eras of Hello Kitty, whose 50th anniversary celebration is next year.
plushie
Pikachu and two (actually one) other Pokémon species are ready to keep you warm or to just give you warm fuzzy feelings.
When I first chanced upon these soft toys, I was really confused. By the word tetrapod, I thought the oddly shaped plushies were meant to resemble an entire classification of animals including myself and my neighbor’s cat. However, after doing some research, I discovered that tetrapods are actually concrete structures used in coastal water irrigation. And some genius decided that these should be made into limited-edition soft toys that belong in your room instead of next to the ocean.
These peculiar plushies are available for pre-order between October 18 to 26 only, so if you’re a fan of these huge solid blocks of concrete that cover a worryingly large amount of Japan’s coastline, hurry and grab them whilst stocks last!
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McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
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Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Make a paper tuna with free summer craft templates from Scotch Tape Japan
We tried Japan’s Strawberry Daifuku? liqueur, one of three dessert-themed liqueurs
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
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Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community- Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
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
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Make a paper tuna with free summer craft templates from Scotch Tape Japan
We tried Japan’s Strawberry Daifuku? liqueur, one of three dessert-themed liqueurs
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Tokyo company’s HQ has indoor rice paddies, grows more than 200 types of vegetables【Video】
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Can you become a martial artist after six months of online karate classes? Let’s find out
7-Eleven opens “next generation” SIP convenience store in Japan
Japan’s ultimate wagyu beef bento is back, now with a Guinness World Record under its belt
Sengoku samurai warlords transform into easy-to-brew, fruity flavored tea tablets
New 800-yen bill artist concept brings Shiba Inu to canvas of Japanese currency
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