Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Vocaloid Opera
Hatsune Miku, the virtual pop singer, has been selling out entire theatres for her most recent performance in The End, the world’s first (and possibly only) vocaloid opera. As would be expected from an opera that replaces humans with digital singers, The End is full of surprises. But the most surprising of all is their choice of Marc Jacobs as digital wardrobe designer. Miku’s new outfit was recently revealed at the premiere of The End in Shibuya.
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the animeMajor Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schoolsThis downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli charactersShakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengersPossessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
Now is your final chance to visit the last Sunkus standing in Tokyo
Android app allegedly allows users to find and hire muscle to beat up whomever they want
Japanese universities determine cats know the names of other cats
Is Burger King’s Big Mouth Burger really as overwhelmingly meaty as promised? 【Taste test】
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Epic cutlet sandwiches in Osaka are the best Shinkansen bento
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!