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
Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
FUK COFFEE?!? Japanese cafe has a perfectly innocent reason for its startling-looking name
Japan has nearly 4 million abandoned homes, but where and why?
Two things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese inn
Awesome new Gundam manhole covers coming to Japanese prefecture for first time
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s ice cream popularity poll leaves out fan favourite — but why?!
Yakuza lieutenant arrested in Tokyo for stealing Pokémon cards
We save money on crotchless jeans from Japanese brand Beams by making our own
Beautiful set of 24 Ghibli anime memo pads returns, will have you wanting to take notes by hand
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of societyBad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
McDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation
One of Japan’s oldest castles now lets travelers spend night on the grounds, drink in its keepTwo things to do, and two things not to do, when leaving a traditional Japanese innFUK COFFEE?!? Japanese cafe has a perfectly innocent reason for its startling-looking nameStudio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Studio Ghibli unveils massive T-shirt collection featuring top anime movie characters
Starbucks at Shibuya Scramble Crossing reopens, but is it really bigger and better than before?
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goodsForeigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky loungeBad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last monthMcDonald’s Japan’s new pancake pie is a taste sensation
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutionsMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
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 1950sForeigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
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
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s ice cream popularity poll leaves out fan favourite — but why?!
Yakuza lieutenant arrested in Tokyo for stealing Pokémon cards
We save money on crotchless jeans from Japanese brand Beams by making our own
Beautiful set of 24 Ghibli anime memo pads returns, will have you wanting to take notes by hand
Bad tourist manners at Mt Fuji Lawson photo spot prompts Japanese town to block view with screens
Calling all ladies out there: How to win the heart of a man with AB blood type
Can we win a PS5 from this premium 2,000-yen gacha machine in Japan?
Studio Ghibli unveils massive T-shirt collection featuring top anime movie characters
Japan creates public monument to original doge meme dog in her home prefecture【Photos】
Starbucks Japan unveils New Year’s drinkware range for 2021
Is there still something love can do? Radwimp’s song soothes hearts after tragic anime arson
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo