Kids gathering around a cigarette machine? On closer inspection, it wasn’t what it seemed to be
As anyone who has visited Japan will probably know, the country allows cigarettes to be purchased in vending machines, but only to adults (20 and…
Mom stunned by the adorable reason her daughter and cat suddenly became silent
ShioyaTeruko (@shiochin) is mother of a 9 year-old daughter, living with 2 year-old Kurosuke, a black cat. One late afternoon, her daughter and Kurosuke were…
Historic Kyoto teahouse’s sakura matcha parfait is a springtime sight to behold for cherry blossom season
Historic Japanese teahouse Itohkyuemon have truly perfected the art of portraying a season through a matcha parfait. The green tea purveyor was founded in Kyoto…
Kirby will help you suck up these boba drinks inspired by different game levels at Japan’s Kirby Store
Japan’s official Kirby Cafes are home to some of the cutest menu items inspired by everyone’s favourite round, pink hero. This spring they’re even releasing…
teamLab’s digital art wonderland ‘Borderless’ gets cherry blossom revamp with sakura lamps and projection mapping tea
Japanese digital art collective teamLab have become known for their elaborate and stunning exhibits which create an art experience like no other. They combine digital…
Japanese cat-lover turns fluffy catloaf into cat-rice-ball in adorable photo set
Longtime fans of cute cat pictures on the internet will be aware of the ‘catloaf’ phenomenon. Considered one of the cutest poses a feline can…
Cafe staffed by robots piloted by people with disabilities opening in Tokyo in 2021
OriHime is a charming Japanese robot. Like most robots made in Japan, it’s full of circuitry, programming chips, and has an exterior human-like shell. Though…
Get your work done before you even leave the station with Coco Desk
Mr. Yamamoto awoke with a loud grunt. He glanced down at his watch. Already 06:30 AM!? Memories of the night before came flooding back. A…
Japanese painter uses blackened eyes and expressions to create social commentary
As we’ve covered before, there are many great artists on Instagram. Many try to be as aesthetic and chic as possible, while others occassionally take…
A Japanese fairy story: Urashima Tarō and the Dragon Palace beneath the sea
Urashima Tarō （浦島太郎）is one of the most famous fairy stories in Japan, known to millions of elementary schoolchildren. One day a young fisherman named Urashima…
‘W-Junji’s Back Alley’ merchandise now on sale at Graveyard Gallery in Nakano
‘W-Junji’s Back Alley’ is a collaboration between world-famous horror manga artist Junji Ito and master ghost storyteller Junji Inagawa. Original merchandise from ‘W-Junji’s Back Alley’…
Market for personal information theft insurance looks set to boom in 2021
Market research firm Kenneth Research has published a report that shines a light on growing demand for personal information theft prevention services, including insurance. The…
How the Great Fire of 1657 shaped modern Tokyo
Take a stroll around modern Tokyo and the city appears to be the epitome of orderly peace and calm. It’s hard to believe that it…
Problem solved: these Japanese Instagrammer children know how to send a message
Recently, communication is at our fingertips. Respond to a message, send an email, and post your thoughts online. Then you play the waiting game—waiting for…
Twitter fathers learn a touching lesson from their kids on how to be a good dad
Being a parent is not easy. It’s an age-old adage and its true. Sleepless nights, cleaning spilt milk and sitting through fits all take a…