Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
The Deep
In honor of the world’s biggest gaming convention, Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus were put under one roof for a head-to-head virtual reality battle this week. Both offer players the chance to experience a level of immersion unlike anything that has gone before it in the world of video gaming. Both are astounding feats of technology.
Having tried both out at E3, however, we’ve decided there was clear winner. Find out which VR did it best after the jump!
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Love Live! fans clash with feminists again over controversial poster, this time advertising tea
Message to foreigners at Japanese convenience store sparks controversy online
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Does Japan’s “body fat-burning” bottled tea really work? Our 30-day investigation 【RocketScience】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot mealsNintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerkJapan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answerJapan’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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Love Live! fans clash with feminists again over controversial poster, this time advertising tea
Message to foreigners at Japanese convenience store sparks controversy online
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Does Japan’s “body fat-burning” bottled tea really work? Our 30-day investigation 【RocketScience】
Seiji holds the Grand Prix of Marumiya Furikake【Taste Test】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
You can now get fugu, Japan’s poisonous blowfish, for under a buck at revolving sushi restaurants
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
English teachers in Japan apologize for having low-proficiency kids say “poison” in assigned video