SoraNews24 -Japan News-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
Japan’s bonenkai parties are the worst thing about the end of the year. Here’s how to fix them
Even anime industry insiders say they’re unable to contact execs from vanished anime studio
AKB48’s final original member, who had to shave her head, is leaving the group
An entire Tokyo anime company has apparently disappeared, leaving artists unpaid for their work
New cat-friendly homes in Japan come specially designed for felines
Announcing the 2019 Junior and Senior High School Girls’ Buzzword Awards & 2020 predictions
New cat hotel in Japan lets you watch kitties right outside your window for entire stay【Pics】
Ibaraki Police warn against fake warnings by the police
Watch as these Japanese cats treat their brand new, giant cushion with extreme suspicion
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind kabuki play’s rehearsal video is incredible【Video】
Japanese lawyer comments on legality of tattoo ban at hot springs, netizens share thoughts tooAn entire Tokyo anime company has apparently disappeared, leaving artists unpaid for their work
Why do Pokémon Trainers “black out” when they lose a battle? This could be the real reasonJapan’s bonenkai parties are the worst thing about the end of the year. Here’s how to fix them
High schooler “forced” to quit school sues Kumamoto prefecture for a single yen
Believe it or not, those aren’t pantyhose that this woman is wearing
Anime company president arrested for taking nude photos of teen girl who wanted to be voice actress
Japanese Network TV asks Twitter user’s permission for “photo” of a trash home…from Fallout 76Watch as these Japanese cats treat their brand new, giant cushion with extreme suspicion
Pikachu is opening his own take-out Pokémon sweets shop in Tokyo!
Japan’s cheapest hotel charges just 130 yen (US$1.20) for a room, with a huge, no-privacy catch
We visit the new all-you-can-eat KFC buffet restaurant in Tokyo
Japan’s pre-sliced cat-shaped bread: The greatest thing since non-kitty sliced bread
Harajuku Station will be demolished after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
That time we got imprisoned in a Tokyo hostess barJapanese lawyer comments on legality of tattoo ban at hot springs, netizens share thoughts too
Japanese makeup tutorial shows how a middle-aged man can turn into a beautiful young woman
Manga about 40-something man’s relationship with daughter’s schoolgirl friend sparks controversyAn entire Tokyo anime company has apparently disappeared, leaving artists unpaid for their work
Vandalism on rise at Japanese shrines as pro-Hong Kong protest prayer boards are defaced
Microsoft Japan’s experiment with 3-day weekend boosts worker productivity by 40 percentJapan’s cheapest hotel charges just 130 yen (US$1.20) for a room, with a huge, no-privacy catch
Five reasons not to live in Japan (as chosen by Switzerland’s perviest otaku)
PewDiePie buys house in Japan, calls it “a dream come true”
Naruto’s author Kishimoto reveals what characters’ names would’ve been if editor didn’t intervene
Japanese Mame Shiba Inu banknote design pays homage to nation’s beloved dog
Why do Japanese toilets have double hooks on their doors?
Japanese Phantom Cheesecake: A sweet so popular 2,000 sold in ten minutes
You can now turn your smartphone into a Pokémon Pokédex thanks to Bandai【Photos】
Uniqlo announces new line of awesome Dragon Ball T-shirts and hoodies【Photos】 
Announcing the 2019 Junior and Senior High School Girls’ Buzzword Awards & 2020 predictions
New cat hotel in Japan lets you watch kitties right outside your window for entire stay【Pics】
Ibaraki Police warn against fake warnings by the police
Watch as these Japanese cats treat their brand new, giant cushion with extreme suspicion
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind kabuki play’s rehearsal video is incredible【Video】
Slot machine’s proposed logo suspiciously familiar to a classic video game
This crazy tower in a Japanese park promises a message form aliens, so we went to get one【Travel】
What’s really for breakfast? 20 Japanese people give us a peek at their morning meal【Photos】
Tokyo’s first vegan Japanese-style convenience store now open in Asakusa
Oddly alluring poison mushroom figures with stomach cramps warn us to be careful of what we eat
Survey shows most Japanese employees don’t like Western-style work socials
Japanese lawyer comments on legality of tattoo ban at hot springs, netizens share thoughts too
Can you make instant udon noodles with room-temperature water? We find out
