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
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Poll finds support to let women inherit imperial throne as Japan faces possible succession crisis
New line of Evangelion fishing lures and other gear released by Japanese maker Dress
What does blood type have to do with the Japan national football team?
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at 7-Eleven?
How to get your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat crepe challenge in Japan
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
The Holy Grail is full-sized, features lights, music and the voice of Sailor Moon【Video】
New rules allow Japanese adult film actresses to stop the sale of their videos after five years
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan’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】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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】Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in JapanTokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at 7-Eleven?
How to get your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat crepe challenge in Japan
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
The Holy Grail is full-sized, features lights, music and the voice of Sailor Moon【Video】
New rules allow Japanese adult film actresses to stop the sale of their videos after five years
Totoro gamaguchi pouches will hold whatever you want them to, but already captured our heart
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Burger King rubs salt in Japan’s overworked wounds with limited-edition Premium Friday Whopper
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Pokémon Christmas village event taking place nightly in Yokohama
Are you Team Karaage or Team Tonkatsu? We grapple with this weighty debate
Anything is fair game for advertisement trucks in Tokyo