Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
White Temple
Approaching Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai’s so-called White Temple, is a surreal experience. It looks like a massive sculpture of ice and snow shimmering through Thailand’s tropical heat. But that effect barely scratches the surface of the weird at this Buddhist wat, where Doraemon hangs out with the Buddha, bushes are decorated with the decapitated heads of Freddie Kruger and Pinhead, and the penalty for smoking is eternal damnation.
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
Clever design trick means beautiful Ghibli Artboard Jigsaw Puzzles won’t have bittersweet ending
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Sailor Moon lingerie sets are back, and this time they brought all their friends!
Manga artist Kenya Suzuki convicted of child pornography charges, given suspended prison sentence
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour TotoroJapanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japan’s Kanji of the Year announced, shows the bright and dark spots of 2024【Video】
Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the animeStudio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】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”
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
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
Clever design trick means beautiful Ghibli Artboard Jigsaw Puzzles won’t have bittersweet ending
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Sailor Moon lingerie sets are back, and this time they brought all their friends!
Manga artist Kenya Suzuki convicted of child pornography charges, given suspended prison sentence
Smoking marijuana is now illegal in Japan, can get you 7 years in prison
Sailor Moon fails to take the top spot in Japan’s giant Sailor Moon anime popularity poll
Japan creates public monument to original doge meme dog in her home prefecture【Photos】
The unusual and surprising ways people in Nagasaki celebrate Obon, the festival of spirits
How to make Tokyo Disneyland’s awesome Mickey Mouse eggs at home!【SoraKitchen】
New Japanese model unit says happy Halloween with Sailor Moon lingerie cosplay photo shoot
Ghibli Park puts up Christmas trees and decorations, invites fans to “come search for Christmas”
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost