The former member of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force waited until he was 80 to reveal his artistic pastime.
ships
There was a time when sumo wrestlers and kimono-clad ladies made shipping companies look beautiful.
From countries and camera lenses to burgers and government corporations, Japan has a vibrant moe culture of personifying inanimate objects – in other words, turning them into cute, giant-eyed anime characters. The latest addition is a game populated by beautiful, shapely “warships”, which seems like a very modern idea but may actually have its origins in the prewar era.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
Beautiful sightseeing boat is a floating tea ceremony venue in east Japan’s best hot spring town
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
American casting for Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) TV series receives harsh Japanese criticism
Everything you think you know about your washlet toilet is wrong
Black telephone like me: What if a handsome guy tries modern politics’ most famous harido?
What if Sailor Moon characters were lingerie models? They’d look stunning like this 【Photos】
Nepalese-run Tokyo hair salon gave us the number-one hairstyle for handsome Nepalese men【Pics】
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
American casting for Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) TV series receives harsh Japanese criticism
Everything you think you know about your washlet toilet is wrong
Black telephone like me: What if a handsome guy tries modern politics’ most famous harido?
What if Sailor Moon characters were lingerie models? They’d look stunning like this 【Photos】
Nepalese-run Tokyo hair salon gave us the number-one hairstyle for handsome Nepalese men【Pics】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Kawaii concrete? Japanese retailer selling cuddly tetrapods for a limited time only
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases cute new zodiac goods for Year of the Snake
Family Mart service brings local Hokkaido goods to your local convenience store this month
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
-
