We live in a world of innovation and inspiration. Every day, we see new products riffing on older ones, and apps that are purporting to be the next Instagram for Snapchat inspired by Vine.
But when does something cease to innovate and become a simple knock-off? Would you consider “Word・Press” a different web service from “WordPress”? How about if someone opened up a hamburger joint called “McDonalds” instead of “McDonald’s”? Well one izakaya in Hiroshima, Japan tested out this first example for us, and found that simply slipping a dot into its name didn’t allow it to get around copyright and trademark laws.
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
How to cook miso soup (the right way) in a few simple steps【RocketKitchen】
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
Japanese Twitter user shares a genius-level tip for drawing manga characters in skirts【Pics】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
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?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
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】
How to cook miso soup (the right way) in a few simple steps【RocketKitchen】
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
Japanese Twitter user shares a genius-level tip for drawing manga characters in skirts【Pics】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Japan’s cat testicle calendar is here for nyantama fans to go nuts with
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Starbucks Japan’s New Year’s lucky bag: One of the rarest fukubukuro of 2024
Japanese survey finds top 10 emoji that “make you look like an old man”
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
A trip to see the breathtaking mountain beauty of Nagano’s Kamikochi【Part 2】
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】