wierd
What is it with Japan and weird cleaning devices today? No sooner have we received news of a remote-controlled “awesome mop” and driveable dustbin than these fluffy little creatures turn up intent on keeping our homes clean!
Going by the moniker Mocoro (a play on the word marimo, a round, fluffy moss ball, and korokoro the onomatopoeic word for a rolling object) these new time savers/lazifiers from Japanese home appliance company CCP are designed to roll around your room picking up dust while you put your feet up.
“This is one thing that I want to continue using until the day I die.”
Of all the things that Japan is renowned for– all of its architectural triumphs, pioneering technology, sexy shenanigans and mind-bending animation — it comes as a surprise to this writer to read that one Chinese blogger in Japan values one thing above all else. Residing in Japan for more than 15 years, this 39-year-old blogger and professor of fine arts claims that, were he to return to his homeland, he’d miss one item more than anything else, and simply can’t begin to fathom why it hasn’t caught on back home.
Forget underwater Walkman music players, forget strawberry ramen and cuddle cafes; for this man, the humble nylon wash cloth is the pinnacle of Japanese invention, and it has become an essential part of his life.
We all have co-workers who make us uncomfortable. A recent article on the website of popular Japanese tabloid magazine Spa included some stories about male co-workers that are too creepy to be true—at least, we hope. We thought we’d share them with you, because honestly, if these stories are true, they’re too scary to laugh…



Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Has China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning shortened queues at this Ichiran ramen restaurant in Tokyo?
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Real-world Koraidon and Miraidon Pokémon are ready for their close-ups【Photos】
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Mist descends upon Japan’s “Killing Stone” after ceremony to appease nine-tailed fox spirit
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Real-world Koraidon and Miraidon Pokémon are ready for their close-ups【Photos】
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Mist descends upon Japan’s “Killing Stone” after ceremony to appease nine-tailed fox spirit
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
We visit a Muji in South Korea to search for some uniquely Korean products
We check out the new apartment building construction site area that opened in KidZania Tokyo
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Does the new Godiva x Baskin-Robbins Japan ice cream collaboration live up to the hype?