It’s been a rough month of ups and downs for anyone who enjoys either pizza-flavored potato chips or exploiting markets.
Yahoo! Auction
For a while it seemed that things had quieted down over at Japan’s largest online auction site, Yahoo! Japan Auctions. Back in the day one used to be able to buy anything from idols to 1,000 NES systems (at once) to the planet Earth.
However, recently there has just been a bunch of stuff like clothes and furniture to be had, and what fun is that? Thankfully, someone has brought the crazy back by auctioning off a truly rare item.
It’s a McDonald’s french fry in the shape of the number one and bidding starts at 10,000 yen (US$93).
Ever since 2005, the Japanese government has mandated that at least 30 percent of a tobacco product’s warning label contain a written warning about the hazards of smoking. Even prior to that in 1990, there was a mandatory warning written along the side of packs which read, “Warning: too much smoking is a risk to your health.”
In fact we have to go way back to before 1972 until we can find Japanese cigarettes without a warning label. One such pack is currently under the virtual hammer of Yahoo! Japan Auction with bids starting at 30,000,000 yen (US$296,000). Appropriately, the name of this brand of cigarettes is Hope.
We often like to cover the more absurd things that get put up for bid on Yahoo! Auction Japan, but this time something has come up that may be of genuine interest to either Lady Gaga or Hello Kitty fans. If you happen to be a fan of both then this is downright priceless.
Currently an extremely limited edition Hello Kitty doll is the subject of fierce bidding. This Hello Kitty is done up in fashion inspired by one of the biggest musicians in the world today, Lady Gaga.
Yahoo! Auction in Japan has been used in creative ways before, but now we are seeing an auction that’s not even an auction at all.
The item in question is a set of 10 vintage 80s Nintendo games, but this auction isn’t about the item. It’s a contest that would require some keen detective work to solve. The person who can correctly identify the location where the games were photographed will get them all for free. To spice things up, the “seller” also put up some hints and further photos of the area. Think you can figure it out?
It pays to keep a keen eye on Japan’s Yahoo! Auctions every once I a while. You’ll never know when you can get a personal live performance form your favorite band, or the opportunity to hire them to clean your home.
So imagine our surprise when the chance to have the Dragon God, Shenlong, from the Dragon Ball series for one day went under the hammer! And in this deal you aren’t limited to one wish like in the manga, you can make as many as you want.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Burger King Japan’s new Crown The One Pounder is like a cheeseburger on steroids
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
AKB48 fan shows his love the only way he knows how: By buying $300,000 worth of CDs
Weekly
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo- Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Burger King Japan’s new Crown The One Pounder is like a cheeseburger on steroids
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
AKB48 fan shows his love the only way he knows how: By buying $300,000 worth of CDs
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Haru Urara, Japan’s winless “Star of the Losers” race horse, has passed away
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
We try Starbucks Japan’s new Pistachio Christmas Tree Frappuccino drinks
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
-
