Nissan gives a shout-out to cat lovers in its cat-themed commercial campaign
For better or worse, cats have a long history of selling things in Japan. Take, for example, maneki neko 招き猫, so-called “beckoning cat” statues, which…
Only in Japan
LINE property information service expands to cover Tokyo and Kanagawa
The coronavirus pandemic, and the fear of infection that goes with it, continue to have unforeseen consequences, with all kinds of businesses having to adapt…
Hatsune Miku masks by official Vocaloid illustrator sold by Japanese PC retailer
iXima is a Japanese illustrator whose artwork has been used for official Vocaloid packaging. They’re also known for creating an image of Hatsune Miku chilling…
Dragon Quest’s iconic slime monster gets turned into cute decor items for your home
Loft is a chain of stores in Japan that can only be categorized as a “variety store” due to the wide assortment of things they…
Pour your passion for anime into a drink at the “Character Cocktail Making School”
You may have seen collaboration menu items at anime-themed cafes and restaurants, with the occasional cocktail also included for good measure. For example, we enjoyed…
Japanese concert hall uses local traditional dolls to implement social distance
Theaters and concert halls in Japan have been reopened since June, but with new measures in place to ensure social distance. For example, as reported…
No gaijin smash: some helpful tips on Japanese etiquette
As an ex-pat, I can confirm that life in Japan takes some getting used to. Several customs are unique to the island nation, and there…
Stunning 1/8 scale statue of Kyōjurō Rengoku from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train”
Now nearing the end of its opening week, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train,” which smashed previous domestic records for opening weekend…
Overly straightforward phone fraud prevention poster goes viral
Although scammers exist all over the world, the problem of phone fraud is particularly acute in Japan, where the elderly are often targeted as easy…
Step into the mind of animation master Hayao Miyazaki at the Studio Ghibli Museum
The Studio Ghibli Museum showcases the work of the world-famous animation studio responsible for popular films like Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro,…
The Koenji Mural City Project is a celebration of local street artists
For a city of its size, and the capital of a country with such a strong graphic art tradition, it’s surprising not to see more…
Japan’s cuddly robot gets permanent themed cafe with new LOVOT Cafe in Kanagawa
Over the years, Japan has come up with robots that serve almost any purpose you can think of, from things like delivering packages to securing…
Matcha specialty shop’s edible zen garden looks like a delicately created food painting
Omatcha Salon is a matcha specialty shop that creates an assortment of traditional Japanese sweets using a certain type of tea called “uji matcha” —…
Be sweet to your feet with these comfy and kawaii ice cream cone slippers
Sticking your feet into ice cream is probably the last thing you want to do in the cold months of fall and winter (or any…
Japanese martial artist demonstrates a powerful kick you can even do in a skirt and heels
You may think it would be difficult to carry out martial arts moves while wearing a skirt and heels, but a video which went viral…