Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Shimotsuki
Shimotsuki Festival is held every December in the remote mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. But as well as locals, the festival also attracts visitors from farther afield, all ooking for the magic and fantasy of the world of Studio Ghibli.
That’s because this ancient festival, featuring boiling cauldrons and dancing monsters, has an unlikely and little-known claim to fame: it inspired Hayao Miyazaki to make Spirited Away.
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
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
Japanese train station returns lost item to customer with a heartwarming message
Kyoto company starts “Solo Wedding” service for single women who want to be brides for the day
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glassesThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
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 rangeStation of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
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 schools
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s ShinjukuJapanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
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 wholeJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
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
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
Japanese train station returns lost item to customer with a heartwarming message
Kyoto company starts “Solo Wedding” service for single women who want to be brides for the day
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Otaku draws inspiration from anime hero to confront knife-wielding attacker on train
Everyday Japanese names that make English speakers chuckle
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
New McDonald’s Shiba Inu pie packaging wows customers in Japan
Oshi stick for taking photos of photos of your favorite celebs and characters, selling at Daiso
Five ways college life is different in Japan and the United States
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride