Who’s going to win? Bowser-bashing plumber with super powers or the best tennis player in the world?
tennis (Page 2)
A decade after its release, the Nintendo classic shows one way it’s way better than real tennis.
In the US, you don’t see a whole lot of people putting around on tiny scooters very often. The long highway commutes and high speed limits make your standard Vespa types pretty impractical for all but the most dedicated of Williamsburg hipsters.
It’s another story in Japan, though, where road commutes are comparatively shorter and speed limits within the city are only a little faster than a light jog anyway. Scooters are a common sight and come in tons of varieties, with two of Japan’s two-wheeled vehicle heavyweights, Suzuki and Yamaha, neck and neck for market share.
But it turns out that the two companies’ nearly identical scooter designs take a remarkably different tack when it comes to storage space. Tennis enthusiasts, especially, may want to take note:
Last year, Nissin, makers of Cup Noodle instant ramen, created the awesome Samurai in Brazil ad, in which a soccer player clad in Japanese armor travelled to South America to show off his footwork to the locals. The company later caught up with the freestyle soccer expert in Europe with a sequel, Samurai in Manchester .
In its newest commercial, Nissin isn’t just switching venues, but sports, too, as Samurai in New York features one of the best tennis players in the world, who proves just how talented he is by leaving behind his racquet and delivering powerful forehands, backhands, and serves using a wooden sword.
Earlier this year, pro tennis player Kei Nishikori became the first Asian man to make it to the finals of the U.S. Open Championships, and was subsequently the first Asian man to qualify for the star-studded tennis event, the ATP World Tour. He was also the first man in Japanese tennis history to place 5th in the world rankings.
To add to his list of “firsts”, Nishikori is also probably the first tennis star to receive a manga style portrait illustrated by The Prince of Tennis mangaka (manga artist), Takeshi Konomi. Check out the stylish piece after the jump!
Runner up in this year’s US Open, Kei Nishikori, is Japan’s golden boy at the moment. As the first male player from an Asian country to reach a Grand Slam singles final, Nishikori is not only a hero in the eyes of Japan as a whole, but of his hometown of Shimane, “Japan’s least popular prefecture.”
Much like successful athletes in the US can look forward to seeing their face on a box of Wheaties cereal, Kei Nishikori can now smile knowing that he’s reached the top of his career as a Japanese athlete by landing his likeness on a styrofoam container of Cup Noodle.
In recent years, Japan has seen an interesting trend regarding their live stage performances. In addition to their culturally classic forms of theater and some popular hits imported from Broadway, Japan is now turning their beloved anime and manga into live-action stage productions! Similar to the way that Disney’s “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and others have been given new life on the big stage, Japan’s popular niche series are also coming into the limelight. Read More







East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Trigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
7-Eleven Japan releases a chocolate chip sandwich… that tastes like ice cream
Starbucks Japan releases new “torori” drinks exclusive to 7-Eleven convenience stores
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
7-Eleven Japan releases a chocolate chip sandwich… that tastes like ice cream
Starbucks Japan releases new “torori” drinks exclusive to 7-Eleven convenience stores
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
Pump yourself up with Yokohama’s new extravagant Cool Fuel ice cream
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Gun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Godiva melts minds by releasing a new corn chocolate drink in Japan
This shop combines traditional Japanese sweets with…mayonnaise?!?[Taste test]
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Shinto shrine’s night sky firefly sweets are Japan’s newest breathtaking, mouthwatering desserts.