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.
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Weekly
McDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation- Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
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Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
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One of Japan’s oldest castles now lets travelers spend night on the grounds, drink in its keep
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Two things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese inn
Japan has nearly 4 million abandoned homes, but where and why?
Monthly
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Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
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More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Yearly
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Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
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
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
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Is the absolute closest conveyor belt sushi to Akihabara Station any good? Let’s find out!
Tokyo sweets store sells beautiful soft serve ice creams that look like works of art
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
This is Japan’s, and the world’s, first capsule hotel, and you can still stay there
Enjoy the hydrangeas, birds, and more at Fuji Kachoen Garden Park in Shizuoka Prefecture
How to make a secret rice bowl at Ichiran ramen
Cheap Japanese ryokan at Kusatsu Onsen is hidden at the back of a traditional store
Sailor Moon character outfits modeled on high-fashion designs【Pics】
Godzilla leather wallet will make you feel like the King of the Monsters and lord of fashion
Mikado Coffee is a 76-year-old coffee chain with a major celebrity connection
Japan’s first-ever capybara cat cafe opens in Tokyo
Advice from Japanese women on dealing with your boyfriend’s anime girlfriend
Sephiroth in real life? How to unsheathe a massive 6.8-foot samurai sword
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