Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
virtual reality (Page 5)
Samsung and Facebook’s Oculus VR unit are working together to create a virtual reality device powered by Samsung’s Galaxy S5 line of phones, Engadget reports. You literally plug your phone into the headset and you’re inside a “shockingly good” virtual world, the site reports.
Few people know this about me, but on top of being a huge video game nerd, I’m also both a part-time eco warrior and a big fan of the Tiny House movement, which is all about simple living and not destroying the environment for the sake of building a McMansion. I’ll happily spend a full evening watching video tours of micro homes or looking at floor plans while sketching out my own future home. But no amount of doodles can compare to actually visiting a property in person and snooping around.
Japanese home builder Daiwa House, too, knows the importance of giving potential home builders a chance to experience their residences in person, and is about to launch a special “Try Lab” showroom that invites visitors to slip on a virtual reality headset and wander around inside their new house, whether tiny or huge, and really get a feel for the place before giving the architect the final nod.
Sony Computer Entertainment has just lifted the lid on brand new hardware at GDC 2014 in San Francisco: its own virtual reality headset for PlayStation 4, codenamed Project Morpheus.
Maybe, along with the drive to to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before, we also want to explore our minds and consciousness. And maybe inevitably that sometimes comes out to be inventing new ways to mess with our own heads. And so, the eggheads at Riken Research have developed the “Substitutional Reality System“. Read More
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Tokyo train little luxury showdown – Green Car vs. Kaiji, which is more comfortable?
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte finally arrives in Japan!
Looking for a hotel in Japan? Skip the ryokan and stay in this castle instead!
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friendsTokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Beautiful Totoro bento box mixes classic and modern symbols of Japan
Kagawa’s Udon Gummies are so hard to chew they come with warning labels
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped trainSanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte finally arrives in Japan!
Looking for a hotel in Japan? Skip the ryokan and stay in this castle instead!
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Super Sentai Series to end after this season
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
Sushi cars are the newest crazy cool dream from Japan’s Tomica line
Family Mart makes new anti-food-waste stickers, free for other stores and restaurants to use too
Japanese curry chain becomes a hot topic with foreigners on Reddit, but is it any good?
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli serves up anime characters on new lacquered trays
ALT in Japan asked to remove earrings by Board of Education