Last November, residents of Hokuto City in Hokkaido elected Zuuushiiihokkiii, the somewhat malformed anthropomorphic piece of surf clam sushi. His limited motor skills and cries of “Hokihokihokihokiii!” seemed to have plucked a particular heart-string among the locals.
Even beyond the northern city, this ball of rice and clam is shaping up to be Japan’s breakout yurukyara (regional mascot) of 2014. While development on the official Zuuushiiihokkiii costume is still underway, some exciting news has emerged from the new mascot’s PR team.
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
The Wendy’s Pretzel Burger returns to Japan for a limited time!
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
KFC becomes KFCheese with new pie and raclette “drowning” burger in Japan
Legendary shojo manga classics get reprints as miniature capsule toys with full-volume contents
The difference between a fat woman and a plump one, according to one Japanese Twitter artist