Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Yokohama (Page 10)
Japan’s Yomiuri Newspaper reported on Tuesday that Ibaraki Prefectural Police had arrested two men on suspicions that they abused a 12 year-old girl they had met using Nintendo’s Internet-connected 3DS portable gaming system. Even though the girl’s parents had used parental controls to disable the Internet access on the 3DS, she found a way to reconnect the device and go online, which led her to the two middle-aged men.
It’s an old stereotype that all East Asians know martial arts and one that’s far from the truth. However, you never know when someone you least expect is going to pop out some taekwondo, karate, judo, or, in the words of James Brown, ka-razy.
Hiroshi Ebina learned that the hard way when a 21-year-old female station attendant he got mixed up with took him down in one move having good old-fashioned judo under her presumably black belt.
Has Hello Kitty finally buckled to hipster fashion trends? Has she been tapped to replace the aging Harrison Ford in an upcoming new Indiana Jones movie, under the logic that if the franchise can include aliens, why not anthropomorphic cats, too? Or has she simply decided to make a living as a hard-boiled private eye?
That third theory actually isn’t so far off the mark, but as with any good mystery, the real culprit behind Kitty-chan’s throwback headgear is someone, or in this case something, you’d never expect: custard pudding.
Yokohama, being Japan’s second-largest city, has a little something for everyone. Its romantic harbor is lined with parks and backed by a breathtaking skyline. History buffs can see numerous centuries-old structures inside Sankeien Garden. The Ramen Museum and Chinatown are great foodie destinations, and the Noge and Kannai districts are filled with enough cocktail bars and brewpubs give your liver a serious workout.
Unfortunately, many overseas travelers are unaware of all Yokohama has to offer, and skip right by the city on their way between Tokyo and Kyoto. In an effort to help get the word out on Yokohama’s numerous attractions, the city has teamed up with telecommunications giant NTT to provide free Internet access to foreign tourists.
Teaming up in a collaborative effort for the first time, the Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel and the nearby Nissin Cup Noodles Museum have created two Chicken Ramen-themed rooms for connoisseurs who just can’t get enough of those tantalizingly delicious instant noodles and their irritating lovable chicken mascot Hiyoko.
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Family Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
Trial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
Japanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look signNew Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right nowTokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in JapanFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
America is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
Japanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
Zombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Umamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Police in Japan likely to gain authority to hack phones to check messaging apps
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
