Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Russia
Nothing says traditional Russian fold crafts like Matryoshka dolls. Go to any gift shop in Russia and you’re sure to find a set of the little wooden figures on sale.
Sometimes you can even find dolls painted with a quirky theme, such as famous musical acts or soviet leaders. One of our reporters came across a set of President Obama & family Matryoshka dolls on sale for about US $30 at a souvenir shop in Sakhalin.
Needless to say, he bought it on the spot.
You’d have to be living in a cave not to know Starbucks Coffee has stores all over the world, but did you know that there are limited edition Starbucks tumblers and mugs that are only available in certain countries? Among those much-in-demand merchandising items, the one often said to be the cutest and most desirable comes from Russia.
On a recent trip there, we decided to check them out for ourselves. Entering the shop, we immediately clapped eyes on them! Designed to resemble traditional Russian matryoshka, or nesting dolls, these tumblers were a hot cupful of cute. It would be hard to see one and not want to put your morning latte in it. They come in three sizes, and lined up next to each other, they looked so much like real matryoshka, I couldn’t resist buying the set. Read More
Akihabara saying goodbye to landmark as giant Sega arcade announces it’s closing for good
Japanese figure skater Shoma Uno crushes pro gamer in Super Smash Bros. tournament【Video】
Sega apologizes after exec says Puyo Puyo players eat beef bowls with cheese
Brand-new Tokyo Shibuya Scramble intersection opens…but over 50 miles away from Tokyo?!【Photos】
Gacha capsule toy paradise for adults appears at Akihabara Station
Enjoy sights and traditions of Japan’s heartland in new Gifu prefecture-focused feature【Video】
Cook up an easy campsite feast inside your home with the “Ramen Cooker”
Pokémon theme park opening in virtual space with Pikachu dance shows, cosplay, and escape games
Terrace House Japanese reality show star arrested for possession of “small amount” of marijuana
Do the new Uniqlo summer face masks really deserve bad reviews?Akihabara saying goodbye to landmark as giant Sega arcade announces it’s closing for good
Cheap paradise: Daiso’s microwave potato chip maker is healthy, easy, and delicious【Taste test】
“I didn’t ask the old men for any advice” says director of Studio Ghibli’s first CG anime
Japanese teacher shares surprising reason why the kanji for crow has one less line than bird
Official Evangelion emergency rations, with curry and beef bowls, are now on sale【Photos】
THAT MUCH for white rice and one tiny plum? Eating Japan’s most-expensive “cheap” bento【Taste test】Sega apologizes after exec says Puyo Puyo players eat beef bowls with cheeseGacha capsule toy paradise for adults appears at Akihabara StationJapanese figure skater Shoma Uno crushes pro gamer in Super Smash Bros. tournament【Video】
J-pop star Utada Hikaru filmed all of her newest video in her lockdown home, and it’s beautiful
This pet fish in Japan is trying to beat Pokémon Ruby, and it’s already won two gym badges【Video】Akihabara saying goodbye to landmark as giant Sega arcade announces it’s closing for good
The top 10 (plus one) Shonen Jump manga protagonists, as decided by Japanese netizensCheap paradise: Daiso’s microwave potato chip maker is healthy, easy, and delicious【Taste test】
Terrace House star Kai Kobayashi says staff asked him to touch Hana Kimura’s breasts
Evangelion teams up with fashion brand glamb to bring us seriously cool street art apparel
Head of Tokyo board of education gets asked about dumb school hairstyle rule, gives dumb answer
To combat declining birth rate, Japan to begin offering “Breeding Visas” to foreigners“I didn’t ask the old men for any advice” says director of Studio Ghibli’s first CG anime
We try Muji’s new “communist” suit【Photos】
Adult Cream Pie coming to McDonald’s Japan
Jason calls off Friday the 13th activities due to coronavirus
Japan goes beyond rice cookers with new curry rice cooker, the kitchen gadget we need right now
Microsoft Japan’s experiment with 3-day weekend boosts worker productivity by 40 percent
Japanese cosplay model shows off thighs, but fans’ eyes are on her Nintendo 64 controller grip
Customers race to Uniqlo for new summer face masks, but are they really worth the hype?
Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Pokémon fan learns the startling truth about the Wooloo plushie
Japanese students hold graduation ceremony in Minecraft amid school cancellation
Free “Language Learning with Netflix” extension makes studying Japanese almost too easy
Enjoy sights and traditions of Japan’s heartland in new Gifu prefecture-focused feature【Video】
Cook up an easy campsite feast inside your home with the “Ramen Cooker”
Pokémon theme park opening in virtual space with Pikachu dance shows, cosplay, and escape games
Terrace House Japanese reality show star arrested for possession of “small amount” of marijuana
Do the new Uniqlo summer face masks really deserve bad reviews?
J-pop star Utada Hikaru filmed all of her newest video in her lockdown home, and it’s beautiful
Japanese courier service creates what could be the cutest delivery box ever
THAT MUCH for white rice and one tiny plum? Eating Japan’s most-expensive “cheap” bento【Taste test】
Anglicized map shows what Japan’s prefectures might be named if they were part of England
One last visit to Japan’s craziest, scariest video game arcade: Warehouse Kawasaki【Photos】
10-second Japanese katsu curry – Is this the world’s most amazing instant food?【Video】
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most offensive Japanese swear words 【Weird Top Five】
What’s really for breakfast? 20 Japanese people give us a peek at their morning meal【Photos】
Top 10 anime women with biggest, most impactful breasts, voted by thousands of Japanese netizens