Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Tomoyuki Oka
Tomoyuki Oka, Japanese pro-wrestler and all around tough guy, has already captured the hearts of an unlikely otaku audience by being very open about the fact that, despite appearances, he’s actually one of them. He’s recently released a promotional video where we can see the contrast between his tough, physical side and his completely nerdy, anime-obsessed personality, but also find that there’s more synergy between the two aspects than might be expected.
The man pictured above is Tomoyuki Oka basking in the glow of winning the All-Japan Sambo Championships. Having excelled in the Russian grappling sport, he exhibits all the features of supreme manliness: a square hair-lined jaw, steely and dominant glare, burly muscles that dwarf his first place trophy (the Putin Cup), and a half-hearted effort at those “V” fingers that Japanese people usually pose with in pictures.
But wait a minute… What’s that under his sambovka?
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in TokyoJapanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyersForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekendNew definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird trainOur Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
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
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
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
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
15 rude things not to do on trains in Japan【Survey】
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
How to make an epic pizza at a Japanese family restaurant
A new meaty dawn for Akihabara as neighborhood’s best steak/hamburger steak restaurant reopens
Is the Universal Studios Japan Demon Slayer ride worth riding if you’re not a Demon Slayer fan?
Enjoy viewing Kyoto’s cherry blossoms from above on a guided zipline tour
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】