Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
strap
In Japan “straps” can be found everywhere. They’re like key chains, but with an elastic band. People primarily attach them to their mobile phones, but you can also spot them on anything else under the sun like gym bags or sleep apnea machines.
Now it seems that mother nature is getting in on the action by creating an eggplant with a loophole just right for attaching straps to. And attach straps is just what the lucky owner did.
So you want to keep your smartphone on your desktop, but you don’t want to lay it flat to get inadvertently smothered by paperwork or worry about some careless mungo putting their coffee mug on it. Or you want to watch some videos on it so you prop it up against your coffee mug but the phone slides down and you actually want to drink your coffee at some point. Read More
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
From cameos to creepy-crawlies: 15 little-known facts about Studio Ghibli movies
Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
All-you-can-eat doughnuts at Mister Donut: How many can we eat in 60 minutes?
We try vegetarian sushi at Tokyo’s newest sushi train restaurant 【Pics & Taste Test】
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
We live the high life with McDonald’s two most expensive Quarter Pounders ever
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration eventsJapan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro ForestPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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 opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
All-you-can-eat doughnuts at Mister Donut: How many can we eat in 60 minutes?
We try vegetarian sushi at Tokyo’s newest sushi train restaurant 【Pics & Taste Test】
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
We live the high life with McDonald’s two most expensive Quarter Pounders ever
Man arrested in Kobe after stuffing fried chicken into woman’s mailbox
Tokyo ramen restaurant only lets you in with a reservation, is super-expensive, totally worth it
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Rolling suitcase with built-in desk is perfect for mobile businesspeople and cosplayers alike
McDonald’s adding new French fry flavor just for Japan based on nostalgic student snack
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times