![Mother finds that her rapier wit is no match for her son’s tepid sense of humor [manga]](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/laughingson-768x576.jpg)
Mother finds that her rapier wit is no match for her son’s tepid sense of humor [manga]
Babies are such weird, drooling, inarticulate munchkins with ridiculous demands. They eat and nap ad nauseam but incite chaos at odd hours of the night….
The Beatles, Jaws and other classic icons get a Japanese fan re-invention
Isshindo is a Japanese company that creates products that add a modern twist to traditional Japanese items. One of their products, for example, repurposes the…
Manga details how a mother tackles life with her high-functioning autistic son
A conservative society, Japan has struggled with stigmas surrounding disabilities and developmental disorders. However, headline events in recent years are underlining the importance of acceptance…
The experience of mixed-race people in Japan
Japanese culture developed, in many ways, independently from the rest of Asia. A phenomenon known as ガラパゴス化, the Galapagos effect, this branching off from mainland…
Japan’s beer can baby bottle sleeve will make you wonder what’s really inside that bottle
Japan has a knack for creating quirky novelty items that combine two things you never even imagined you could put together, like a full-body blanket…
Manga about a macho man with an unusual habit
You meet all kinds of people living as an ex-pat in Japan. Perhaps this is typical of minority communities, but there seems to be a…
Lego’s 2,600-piece NES set lets you rebuild 8-bit gaming memories – without having to blow on the cartridge
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) brought a new era of console gaming when it was first released. Some of the games for the NES at…
A heartwarming manga about overcoming depression
Japan is a great country. If nothing else, it’s a safe and relatively easy place for an ex-pat to live. However, like anywhere, it certainly…
Classic anime Hamtaro gets awesome themed cafe in time for the adorable hamster’s birthday
Plucky little hamster, Hamtaro, is the star of a classic anime and manga series that first appeared in the 90s. It’s coming up to the…
Tokyo’s new Art Aquarium Museum has Edo period red light district inspired fishtank installations
Fish and art are a great match, as seen in limited-time-only displays such as the cherry blossom digital art event by Naked, which takes place…
Tokyo’s Capcom Cafe possessed by Devil May Cry 5 themed takeover menu
The Capcom Cafe located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, is like a hungry gamer’s paradise, where awesome temporary menus, featuring some of the company’s most popular video…
![Osaka’s last remaining movie sign painter keeps tradition alive [video]](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/MoviePainter_top-768x576.jpg)
Osaka’s last remaining movie sign painter keeps tradition alive [video]
Movie sign painters are very scarce in Japan. Once a thriving career in the golden age of cinema, only a handful of them are active…
Japanese convenience store’s Minion wagashi combines the banana-loving lackeys with traditional sweets
Japanese traditional sweets, called ‘wagashi’, are known for their pristine presentation, and you may be surprised at the quality of sweet that can be found…
Catch 90s tie-dye inspired retro Pokemon smartphone cases and tech accessories with CASETiFY
Japan is the number one place to catch all the Pokemon goods you’ve ever dreamed of. You can even declare ‘I choose you!’ to your…
Baby Star Ramen instant spicy monjayaki released in Japan
Japanese snack food aficionados are likely familiar with “Baby Star Ramen”, a dried and crunchy mini-ramen noodle snack. What you may not know, however, is…