When a handful of Japan’s wannabe starlets made a plea to their limited fan base to send them as many plastic bottle caps as possible, it was generally assumed that nothing much would come of it. However, imagine our surprise when, keen to see their favorite idols hit the big time, passionate fans stepped up to donate over 100 million caps towards their case.
In Japan, fans with this level of dedication are known as “aidoru otaku”, meaning idol or star fanatics. Their enthusiasm often goes beyond the boundaries of casual fandom and enters into what can only be described as the realms of what some might deem obsessive. Even so, you’ve got to admire their team spirit- that’s an awful lot of drinks to consume!
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
New card game makes Japan’s saunas even steamier
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Children’s slippers stolen in night at Japanese preschool, police identify weasel who did it【Vid】
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
We found an underground Kyoto vending machine that sells multi-course French meals
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
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】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Children’s slippers stolen in night at Japanese preschool, police identify weasel who did it【Vid】
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
We found an underground Kyoto vending machine that sells multi-course French meals
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Effect of Dragon Ball-style Gravity Chamber on training studied at Chubu University
We visit the new all-you-can-eat KFC buffet restaurant in Tokyo
Inakaya Denim jeans are the latest farm-fresh Japanese-inspired fashion item
Japanese mountain community’s first baby in 52 years celebrates first birthday
Is the Grimace shake worth the hype?
Forget dog-earing and bookmarks that fall, make your own easy origami bookmark instead!
Tokyo’s expensive fountain construction plans making waves among the Japanese public