Shiba dog
![First Shiba Inu police dog in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture now on duty[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/1_4512ee.jpg?w=640 "First Shiba Inu police dog in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture now on duty[Video]")
Watch this resolute stand-off dissolve into joyous jumping thanks to a simple trick by the pup’s owner.
Remember Maru, the adorable Shiba dog who’s been stealing hearts all over Japan with his million-dollar smile? Well, his popularity is well and alive, and the canine celebrity will be coming out with his very own photo book in mid-June! And to commemorate the launch of his book, an on-line photo contest is currently on way, but it’s no ordinary photo contest — it involves photos of … lovely bottoms! Not to worry, though, they’re not naughty photos by any means. The contest is actually of photos of cute animal backsides, or “puri-ketsu“, as they’re affectionately called in Japanese, and it seems the adorable “bum” pictures are pouring in. Yes, it’s the official puri-ketsu championships, and here’s a look at just some of the fun and delightful photos!
With the winter cold now upon us in Japan, we suppose it’s natural that some of us should feel more partial than usual to warm, fuzzy-looking objects — like wool felt dolls, for instance. And in that spirit, one of our reporters from our sister site Pouch decided to try her hand at making her own felt doll herself. Sounds like a nice little project that should result in a cute hand-made creation, right?
This same reporter has previously written a story about a felt-craft project gone horribly wrong that had been shared on Twitter, in which what was supposed to turn into a cute cat ended up as, well … a bizarre-looking creature that’s hard to describe accurately. Could it really be that difficult to make a decent-looking felt doll? Our reporter’s account follows.
MOST POPULAR
Today
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Watch a sumo bout inside Tokyo Tower, at a new restaurant endorsed by two yokozuna
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Weekly
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want- The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Monthly
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy- Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
Watch a sumo bout inside Tokyo Tower, at a new restaurant endorsed by two yokozuna
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Pokémon donuts are coming to Krispy Kreme in the U.S. [Photos]
7-Eleven Japan has a “Super Spicy! Taiwan Mince Cutlet” that’s fiery red… but how hot is it?
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Krispy Kreme Japan is baking up two new donuts that you can only get at one spot in the country
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
This beautiful Okinawa beach gives you the best of both worlds when visiting the prefecture [Pics]
Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
-
