Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Vita
We’re already well into the school summer holidays here in Japan, and Sony is taking the opportunity to entice younger gamers over to its decidedly more grown-up portable console, the PlayStation Vita. Join us after the jump for a closer look at these cheeky ads from Sony’s summer campaign.
We’re already thoroughly excited about the launch of Sony’s newest home console, the PlayStation 4, but news reaching us today suggesting that the Japanese electronics giant has yet another trick up its sleeve has set us buzzing anew.
Since the PS4’s grand unveiling earlier this year, Sony has been keen to push the fact that the console will be fully integrated with its portable platform, PlayStation Vita, ensuring that all developers make their PS4 games fully playable remotely via Vita. It would seem, though, that rather than just a cool extra feature, Sony is planning to make PS4/Vita crossplay a cornerstone of the PS4 experience, with industry sources suggesting that a special PS4/Vita bundle will be made available for US$500 by the end of the year.
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Japanese mountain community’s first baby in 52 years celebrates first birthday
Starbucks Japan releases a new chilled cup exclusively at Family Mart convenience stores
Chill out with an ice-blue drink and noodles from Mount Fuji at this Tokyo junkissa
Yoshinoya has an ultra-luxurious wagyu beef bowl you can only get one place in Japan【Taste test】
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Japan Weak Men’s Center suddenly cancels men-only train event
Japanese ramen restaurant serves noodles with a heartwarming side of history
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
Secret hot spring onsen in Japan is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by tourists
Dark and edgy Jujustu Kaisen teams up with bright and cheery Sanrio for new merch line【Pics】
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new holiday goods at Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Japanese samurai randoseru backpack lets you carry the bushido spirit with you wherever you go
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Tsukemen ramen restaurant becomes a hit with foreign tourists in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Chill out with an ice-blue drink and noodles from Mount Fuji at this Tokyo junkissa
Yoshinoya has an ultra-luxurious wagyu beef bowl you can only get one place in Japan【Taste test】
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 1】
Japan Weak Men’s Center suddenly cancels men-only train event
Japanese ramen restaurant serves noodles with a heartwarming side of history
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Japan’s new imitation Oreos are here, but how do they compare to the made-in-China real deal?
Nightingale floors: The samurai intruder alarm system Japan’s had for centuries
Muji’s Sofa Made From Air review: Is Japan’s most sought-after portable couch worth the hype?
Japan’s adorable new Nikukyu notebooks have the squeezable feel of cat and dog paw pads【Photos】
Italian man kisses woman on train in Wakayama “as a greeting,” gets arrested instead of her number
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Magical train ride through Japan’s autumn leaves is like travelling to a different world【Video】
Real-life Spirited Away train line found in Japan?