Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Rimpa
What happens when you cross Nintendo’s Super Mario with a respected art form from Japanese history? Is it a brand new Mario Paint game? Nope, although that would be pretty cool.
What you actually get is the famous Rimpa folding screen “Wind and Thunder Gods” remade with Mario and Luigi. The results are so fantastic that it’s being put on display at a special exhibit at the Art Museum Eki Kyoto. Join us after the jump for all the juicy Mario art details.
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Ultra-violent post-apocalyptic anime Fist of the North Star is becoming a stage musical in Tokyo
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
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
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schoolsThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli charactersShakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
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”Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
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
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Ultra-violent post-apocalyptic anime Fist of the North Star is becoming a stage musical in Tokyo
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】
Move over, Double Down! KFC has a crazy new way to deliver chicken in the form of the Chizza
Starbucks Japan releases first flower drink in exclusive, hard-to-find chilled cup series
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Dumb criminal in Japan tries to sell stolen goods back to shop he just robbed seven minutes ago
Smoking marijuana is now illegal in Japan, can get you 7 years in prison
Is fancy drinkable yogurt better than regular yogurt for marinating chicken? 【Taste Test】
How old is too old for a boy to go into the women’s hot spring bath in Japan?
Ghibli Park puts up Christmas trees and decorations, invites fans to “come search for Christmas”