Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
roadworks
The fact that the word kawaii has now been accepted into the Oxford English Dictionary says a lot about Japan’s obsession with all things cute. If there’s a manhole cover or a health and safety pamphlet that needs brightening up somehow, you can pretty much guarantee that someone will design a cutesy character or scene to adorn it. That’s just how Japan rolls.
Never, though, have we come across barricades made to look like kneeling kimono-clad princesses before.
When people visit Japan, they often marvel at how great the service everywhere is. Trains run on time; a guy pops out of a little hatch like a station ninja when you’re struggling with a ticket vending machine; packages come precisely when they’re supposed to, and even if you miss them you can just call the driver on their mobile phone to arrange a new delivery time.
Day in, day out, stuff just works. And yet, unlike the many foreigners who live here, native Japanese take this all completely in their stride. Take this video, for example, which was taken by a foreigner living and uploaded to YouTube a couple of weeks ago…
Japan’s Kanto region just can’t catch a break recently – first heavy snow brings the capital city to its knees (and this writer given the X of denial as he was told “Sorry, sir, the flight has already departed” after it took five hours to reach the airport in it), and now giant columns of water are spurting up out of the ground.
Bear breaks into house in Japan, quickly begins spending winter exactly like Japanese people do
Foreign resident of Japan sentenced to eight months in prison for vandalizing Tokyo shrine
Ramen restaurant etiquette reminder follows altercation with angry couple: One person, one bowl
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
After being snatched up by scalpers, Sailor Moon chocolate returns in officially marked-up complete box
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
A visit to T-CAT, Tokyo’s often forgotten City Air Terminal【Photos】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
7 hilarious/inexplicable Japan moments in South ParkThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Starbucks Japan reveals new winter holiday goods to wrap up 2024Bear breaks into house in Japan, quickly begins spending winter exactly like Japanese people doRamen restaurant etiquette reminder follows altercation with angry couple: One person, one bowl
Japanese train station vending machine has the best souvenirs for rail otaku
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Tokyo’s Super Mario Christmas decoration displays are super cool【Photos】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
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
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local touristsJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a wholeThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challengesStation of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
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
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
A visit to T-CAT, Tokyo’s often forgotten City Air Terminal【Photos】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
7 hilarious/inexplicable Japan moments in South Park
‘A Cruel Angel’s Thesis’ took just two hours to write says Evangelion lyricist Neko Oikawa
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
The best booths and cosplayers from Summer Comiket 2024【Photos】
Japan is building a Pokémon Slowpoke Park to delight fans of all ages
This themed Starbucks in Seoul is hidden away in possibly the coolest location ever
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
300-year-old Tokyo comb company sells 30,000-yen wooden hair combs—Are they worth it?
Official Sailor Jupiter bento boxed lunches being served now at Tokyo anime-themed cafe 【Photos】