Stay-home sakura – Japanese Twitter shares breathtaking cherry blossom photos of past and present

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelCherry blossom plans cancelled? Here’s a new one: doing hanami at home with these beautiful photos. Not that there’s ever a good time for a global pandemic, but the coronavirus outbreak coinciding with the blooming of the cherry blossoms has been especially sad for Japan. Ordinarily, right now Japan’s parks would be full of groups […]

Tokyo rickshaw puller tells us why he isn’t staying home from work during coronavirus outbreak

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelHe’s ready to run customers around the empty streets of Asakusa, even though he knows it’s not the safest choice. Pretty much everyone who comes to Tokyo comes to Asakusa. The neighborhood is home to Sensoji, the city’s largest and most important Buddhist temple, and seven days a week travelers, both domestic and international, flood […]

We tried Japan Burger King’s Deluxe Chicken Whopper for some serious volume 【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J ShannonThree types of meat between two Burger King buns? Yes, please. As long-time Burger King fans, the team at SoraNews24 is pretty on top of the latest BK campaigns. That’s why when Japanese writer Tasuku heard about a hefty new burger, he knew he had to go try it. Actually, he’d first heard of the […]

WARNING! The Civic hatchback can’t drive through Evangelion AT fields, Honda’s lawyers say【Vids】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelActual driving experience may not include Angel battles, Shinji, Rei, and Asuka want us to know. In Japan, nothing drums up interest quite like a celebrity endorsement. Previously, Naomi Osaka has let us know about the virtues of Cup Noodles, for example, and Usain Bolt has helped spread the word that the Pokémon video games […]

Sanrio Puroland offers a touching, tear-provoking video message during its closure【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Krista RogersThe staff and characters of Puroland want you to know that they’re waiting for your visit from the bottom of their hearts.  With most family-friendly theme parks and museums closed in Japan at the moment due to the spread of coronavirus, Sanrio Puroland in Tama-Center, Tokyo is no exception. The fan-favorite park has also extended […]

Ken Shimura remembered for his huge contribution to the game Rock, Paper, Scissors in Japan

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterLet’s take a look at what is undoubtedly Shimura’s biggest cultural impact. With the recent passing of Japanese comedy legend Ken Shimura due to complications of a COVID-19 infection, everyone has been looking back on his many accomplishments in music, comedy, and entertainment in general. Strangely, it was a tweet by the Japan Rock Paper […]

Here’s how to be a Shiba Inu’s favorite person

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA trip to a Tokyo dog cafe and a chance encounter with a Shiba Inu master leads to an epiphany for our canine-loving reporter. Our reporter Seiji Nakazawa has a problem that’s pretty common for people who live in Japan. He loves dogs, but his apartment doesn’t allow pets. So a while back, when Seiji […]

Japan now has a manga-style coronavirus awareness campaign

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeOne of these “faces” discriminates against people who have the virus.  While a number of countries around the world are taking drastic measures to flatten the curve of the coronavirus outbreak, this week the Japanese government said it’s “still holding on” and “at the brink” of declaring a national state of emergency. While some businesses […]

The sad story of the Japanese vending machine set to disappear at the end of the year

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeA little bit of history gone forever as Kirin puts an end to a beloved mainstay. We all love a weird and wonderful Japanese vending machine find, and so far we’ve oohed and ahhed over gems that dispense flying fish soup stock, insects, hot noodles and even origami. Now it’s time to farewell one we’ve just […]

Here’s what happens when you mix 75 types of Japanese instant curry together【SoraKitchen】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelCreating the King of Curries means we’re pretty much done cooking for the entire week. Curry is one of Japan’s favorite comfort foods, and some home chefs say a great way to enhance its flavor is by mixing two different brands of roux in the same pot. But this got our reporter Ahiru Neko thinking […]

Learn how to cook staple Japanese dishes with actor Hiro Mizushima【Videos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J KayInterested in Japanese home cooking? Then why not learn together with Japanese actor and media personality Hiro Mizushima! Mizushima, well-known enough as an actor to make it into the top 10 in a 2017 public survey on Japanese male celebrities who look good with bleached blond hair, started his own cooking YouTube channel last year. […]

Hideo Kojima’s company closes office after employee confirmed infected with coronavirus

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelVideo game studio is told it doesn’t have to close, but decides to make worker safety its priority. Video game creator Hideo Kojima is best known for his love of complex military/political narratives and outright weirdness. He’s also directed multiple games, though, in which fictional diseases play a major role, such as the first and […]

Net user proposes clever changes to 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo in light of one-year delay

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Krista RogersWe’d like to add our own stamp of approval to the ones already there. It’s official: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will not take place this summer, in 2020, but have been postponed until July 23, 2021 out of concern due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. As it’s the first time in history that the games […]

Tokyo Olympics announces new start date following coronavirus postponement

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelTokyo’s governor hopes having firm start date will allow athletes and organizers to better focus on preparing for the delayed Games. Up until the middle of March, organizers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics said the Games would be going on as planned, sticking to the scheduled opening date of July 24. However, with the coronavirus […]

Ueno Park looks eerily deserted in the midst of the coronavirus 【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeThe cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, but there’s no one around to enjoy them.  Prefectural governments in a number of areas around Japan called on people to refrain from going out this past weekend in an effort to help flatten the curve of the local coronavirus outbreak. In Tokyo, Governor Koike held a […]

All aboard Tokyo’s newest English-playable real escape game! We try Escape from the Runaway Train

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelNine rooms of puzzles and a countdown to disaster to get your team’s minds working and pulses racing. No matter what you’re looking for in Tokyo, you can find it in the Shinjuku district. Shopping? Dining? A life-size replica of Godzilla’s head? SoraNews24 headquarters? Yep, all part of the neighborhood. Shinjuku is also where you’ll […]

Japan to ban entry to foreign travelers from the U.S., China, most of Europe

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelRoughly one third of the planet expected to be unable to travel to Japan as part of expanded coronavirus countermeasures. Last week, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs took the unprecedented measure of asking citizens to refrain from any and all non-essential international travel, regardless of which foreign country they might be thinking of going to. […]

Snow falls on sakura cherry blossoms in full bloom around Tokyo 【Photos & Videos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeSurprise snowfall in Japan transformed springtime hanami into a winter wonderland on the weekend. As the first month of spring comes to a close, the weather took an unseasonable turn on the weekend, with snow falling in Japan’s Kanto region, which encompasses Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures. According to the Japan Meteorological […]

Japanese comedian dies after coronavirus infection

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeThe country is in mourning following news that the beloved icon was lost to COVID-19. Ken Shimura, one of the country’s most famous celebrities, has passed away in Tokyo from pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus. He was 70 years old. The announcement of the veteran comedian’s passing was made today by Shimura’s agency, who had […]

Convenience store shopper panicked to find bread section empty, until finding out why

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterTiming is everything. With a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, Governor Yuriko Koike’s recent announcements have prompted fears that a full-scale lockdown is on the horizon. And with it a fresh wave of panic-buying spread through the area. However, luckily it seemed to calm down relatively quickly, and by some eyewitness reports, it […]

Protagonist of “Crocodile Who Dies in 100 Days” passes away, gets revived through dedicated cafe

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Eli PangAfter death, there is no heaven, limbo, or hell — only capitalism! With its first comic strip published on December 14, “The Crocodile Who Dies in 100 Days” has recently ended with a not-so-unexpected outcome. Spoiler alert: the crocodiles dies. While fans of the manga may still be in the midst of their mourning throes, […]

How is Japan coping with telecommuting? Survey asks for the good and bad of working from home

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelThe coronavirus outbreak is shaking up how Japan works, but is the shaking too hard? Japan has never really been big on telecommuting. The culture’s group-oriented values insist there’s an intangible benefit to having all staff members sit in on face-to-face meetings (regardless of whether they need/are allowed to contribute their own ideas), and so […]

With foreign visitor numbers to Nara Park plummeting, are the city’s deer in danger of starving?

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelPretty much everyone who visits Nara stops by the park to feed crackers to the deer, so are the smaller crowds leaving them hungry? Tourism numbers are down across Japan since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, but the effect has been especially severe in central Japan. An especially large portion of the international travelers […]

Japanese man accidentally creates ‘educational art’ with speakers and mahjong tiles

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katie PaskSomething so simple turned into something so beautiful and yet educational! With the corona pandemic sweeping the world right now, many people are on lockdown. Being stuck in your house for days on end is enough to make anyone stir crazy, and while some business have started to offer novel solutions to combat the boredom, […]

20-year-old anime cakes sell online for an eye-popping price

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelThese Azumanga Daioh sweets are older than many anime fans, and they’re not the only uneaten collectors’ food otaku have hung on to. Japan loves both anime and sweets, so from a marketing standpoint anime-themed sweets are really a no-brainer. Here’s the thing, though. You know how collectors like to keep things in their original […]

Japanese 7-11 puts up congratulation decoration for employee who graduated amid self-quarantine

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Scott WilsonPart-time worker, full-time friendship. Social distancing to keep the coronavirus under control has spurred everything from wedding ceremonies held in Animal Crossing to heavy metal songs about proper hand-washing methods. And since March is the end of the Japanese school year, it has affected graduation ceremonies for many as well. Those who were looking forward […]

Man orders nothing but a free smile from McDonald’s Japan using Uber Eats

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterDelivery charges applied, of course. Judging by all the bikes and scooters with their logo I sees whizzing around town, Uber Eats has found a healthy market in Japan, especially now that more and more people are turning towards home delivery to eat. However, many users in Japan might not be aware that way at […]

Japan’s most beautiful female college student, most handsome male college student crowned【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelTwo Tokyoites take top titles in annual contest. In Japan, college is seen as not only of higher education, but also high fashion. That’s because your four years at university are pretty much your only respite from the uniforms and haircut regulations of middle/high school and the conservative dress codes of most (though not all) […]

Japanese driver in traffic jam gets the worst possible vehicle stuck behind him【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollHow long could you listen to the same lines in a song over and over again before you completely lose it? If you’ve ever driven a car in any city, you know what it’s like to get stuck in a traffic jam. Traffic either slows to a constant, creeping crawl, or has moments where it […]

Japanese mayor asks sister city in China to return donated masks as COVID-19 cases surge

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Eli Pang“No takebacks,” says literally everyone else but the mayor himself, but luckily for him, this story ends well. In a bid to promote internationalization and boost local economies, multiple cities across Japan have taken initiatives to form sister-city relationships across the world, often leading to fulfilling intercultural exchanges and support in times of crisis. For […]

Comiket cancelled as coronavirus knocks off Tokyo’s biggest otaku celebration

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelContinuing outbreak causes organizers to call off dojinshi event for the first time in its 45-year-history. Twice a year, Tokyo’s Big Sight convention center hosts Comiket, Japan’s largest celebration of dojinshi (self-published comics) and anime otaku culture. Ordinarily these take place in August and December, but this year’s summer Comiket was moved up to spring, […]

Osaka club offers up great heavy metal hand washing song selections

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterHelp seek and destroy germs with these 20-second segments of metal classics. To help teach proper hand washing methods during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts all over the world have been recommending singing “Happy Birthday” twice to ensure a thorough 20-second wash. This has been great because yesterday was my birthday, and quite frankly it has […]

Free wagyu beef is Japanese politicians’ latest coronavirus response plan

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA helping hand to Japan’s hurting ranchers that would also be great reason to social distance at home. Even though restaurants remain open in Japan, a lot of people are choosing to eat at home in an effort to help limit the potential spread of the coronavirus. For many of us, that means instant ramen, […]

Gross out your natto-hating friends with this incredibly realistic, sticky-looking train pass case

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollOr you’ll just make yourself hungry for natto and rice. Where do you stand on the great natto debate? The sticky, chewy, smelly fermented soy beans are generally loved by Japanese people (and dogs, apparently), lauded as a super health food and a delicious way to start your morning, but travelers who visit Japan, especially […]

Term “military comfort women” returns to Japanese government-approved junior high textbooks

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey Baseel”Military” designation has been absent from certified teaching materials for more than a decade. The 2020 Japanese school year is just getting underway, but the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is already looking ahead to 2021. This week, the Ministry has been reviewing new junior high textbooks which have applied for certification […]

Chic Monochrome Shibuya Street Style w/ Ponytail, Aviator Sunglasses, Alice & Olivia Snakeskin Blazer, Juemi, Guess Handbag & Platform Boots

https://ift.tt/3ambiI3

In Harajuku, we came across Saya, a Japanese nurse we often feature on our street snaps.

This day, Saya stepped out in a sleek monochrome style, which features an Alice & Olivia snakeskin blazer, a black ribbed turtleneck sweater, and skinny black suede pants, both of which are from Juemi. She stepped out in a pair of black platform Chelsea boots from Envym and carried a Guess handbag to complete her outfit. Saya styled her hair into a sleek ponytail, and accessorized with black aviator sunglasses and silver chain earrings, both of which are from GR8 and Juemi.

Saya mentions Juemi as her favorite fashion brand, and she is active on Instagram.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Tokyo Street Style

20th Century Boys star Toshiaki Karasawa named Japanese Jack Bauer in 24 reboot

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterThat could work. Over a year ago, development of a Japanese reboot of the hit American TV series 24 began. While met with skepticism, the original show had been hugely popular in Japan, leaving many hungering for more counter-terrorism thrills and cliffhangers. ▼ I like to think the show’s popularity owed a lot to these […]

Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya 109 building closes temporarily to prevent spread of coronavirus

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeFirst signs of central Tokyo shutting down with the unprecedented closure of a youth hotspot.  On Wednesday night, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike held a press conference where she informed the public that 41 new cases of coronavirus had been reported in the capital. This was the largest-ever spike seen in Tokyo, and the governor urged […]

Japan’s most popular domestic burger chain adds 100-percent vegan burgers to menu

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelMos Burger’s burgers are still moss-free, but this new one doesn’t use any animal products either. The name Mos Burger can be kind of off-putting to English-speakers, with “Wait, is it a burger made out of moss?” being a common initial reaction. But as well-informed Japanese burger fans know, the “Mos” part of the Mos […]

All of Tokyo’s neighbors are telling people to stay out of the city this weekend

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelJapan’s second largest city also tells people to stay in their homes during the period. On Wednesday night, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike asked residents of Japan’s capital to remain home as much as possible over the coming weekend in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Now, one day after Tokyoites were told to […]

Tokyo Governor holds press conference on coronavirus, sparks immediate panic-buying

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeePeople now fear a lockdown is on the horizon in Tokyo. While a number of governments around the world have been calling on their citizens to practice social distancing, avoid non-essential travel, and maintain a distance of six-feet between each other in an effort to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic, people in Japan […]

Japanese government places entire world on “Please don’t travel to” list for citizens

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelMinistry of Foreign Affairs raises all countries’ travel danger levels in historic first. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infections in Japan has been remarkably low for a nation of its size, but that doesn’t mean the country is out of the woods yet. In the same week that Tokyo formally proposed postponing the […]

We try a traditional Tokyo dish of stewed loaches, encounter something we’ve never seen before

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollA taste of the Edo-period past, and a new encounter.  There’s a whole neighborhood of restaurants in the Asakusa area of Tokyo that specialize in loach cuisine. What is a loach? If you’ve been playing the new Animal Crossing game, or have ever played any Animal Crossing game ever, then you’ve probably caught a loach […]

Where are all the beautiful women in Japan? Survey investigates

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeTop 10 results suggest you’ll have to travel outside of Tokyo to find the most beauties.  Visitors to Japan usually visit the main tourist hubs of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but there are 43 other prefectures around the country happy to take the load off some of the sites dealing with overtourism. Now there’s some […]

All Black Harajuku Street Style w/ Harness Over Takeo Kikuchi Leather Coat, Hoodie, H&M & Dolls Kill Boots

https://ift.tt/2UjCYHH

Here’s Tatsuya, a 19-year-old fashion college student we met on the streets of Harajuku.

Tatsuya stepped out in an all-black streetwear style, which consists of a leather double-breasted coat from Takeo Kikuchi, worn over a hoodie sweater from his own brand and paired with black skinny pants from H&M. He styled his coat with a leather harness from Spinns, stepped into lace-up zipper boots from Dolls Kill and accessorized with sheer black sunglasses, black hoop earrings, and a chunky silver chain necklace.

Tatsuya loves to shop at Kidill, and he is active on Twitter and Instagram.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Tokyo Street Style

New Japanese-style Starbucks set to open in Nagano prefecture【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J ShannonIf you’re as big of a fan of Starbucks as you are of traditional Japanese aesthetics, mark your maps. Japan is home to many unique Starbucks cafes, including Kyoto’s Kamogawa location and the “world’s most beautiful Starbucks” in Toyama prefecture. Now, a popular temple region is about to become home to another branch of the […]

Today, let’s all take a moment to watch this amazing Corgi butt video from Japan【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelFull points for speed, enthusiasm, and especially adorableness. While the Japanese Internet is constantly enamored with the Shiba inu for its ability to be the goofiest pooch around, the Corgi is secure in its claim to fame of having the cutest backside, since no other breed’s has quite the same adorable combination of roundness, shakiness, […]

Affordable luxury AND cheap beauty? We test Japan’s 100-yen Steam Face Mask【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelOur 100 yen shop expert puts his face on the line. As loyal SoraNews24 readers will know, our Japanese-language reporter Go Hatori spends a lot of time, and coins, in 100 yen shops. It’s within their walls that he found his hair removal pads, an entire uniquely fashionable outfit, and even the materials necessary to […]

Couple’s wedding cancelled due to coronavirus, so they hold it in Animal Crossing instead

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katie PaskThat’s definitely one way to save on the honeymoon costs! The coronavirus pandemic has caused many important events to be cancelled, with holidays ruined, events postponed and life milestone celebrations being completely called off. In Japan, most schools have been closed for the majority of March, meaning many graduates had to miss out on their […]

Get ready with Roland, the top-earning host in Japan【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeRoland, “King of the Hosts”, shares his morning routine on YouTube. Grooming and appearance can be a bit of an obsession in Japan, where women aspire to reach the weight of a Cinderella princess and dramatically different before-and-after transformations show that even the girl-next-door is a dab hand at makeup wizardry. For the men and women […]

Shakey’s Japan releases Mojo Potato recipe to keep home cooks happy during coronavirus outbreak

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA delicious social distancing strategy. With SoraNews24 headquarters located in Tokyo, the most crowded city in Japan, and specifically near Shinjuku Station, the most crowded train station in the world, we’ve got as much of our staff as possible working from home during the coronavirus outbreak. That includes our Japanese-language reporter P.K. Sanjun, but telecommuting […]

IOC President is “in 100-percent agreement” with Japan’s proposal to postpone Tokyo Olympics

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelAlso agrees with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s proposal to have the Games by next summer at the latest. Last night, Japanese Prime Minister Shizao Abe placed a call from his official residence in Tokyo to IOC President Thomas Bach, proposing that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics be postponed in the face of the ongoing global coronavirus […]

Mr. Sato records his own CD while working from a karaoke room

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterIt had always been our writer’s dream to cut an album, but there was just one problem… Recently, our reporter Mr. Sato has been working a lot outside of the office and has found a surprisingly wonderful workspace in his local karaoke parlors. They offer loads of personal space, cheap food, and the chance to […]

Domino’s offers sakura videos, free second pizzas to get Japan to do cherry blossom parties at home

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA subdued sakura season is a sad turn of events for Japan, but free pizza always puts a smile on people’s faces. In an especially cruel twist of fate, the coronavirus outbreak is happening right as the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom in Japan. The entire country looks forward to sakura season, especially getting […]

Japanese cat is singularly perturbed by owner’s piano music, requests a concert cancelation

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Krista RogersThis one cat would like to call in a complaint about her owner’s rendition of “I Stepped on the Cat.” Meet female tortoise-shell cat Mikasa, who lives a pampered life with the adoring devotion of her unnamed human servant (who runs theTwitter account @MikasaLove611). ▼ Here’s Mikasa celebrating Cat Day in Japan last month Mikasa usually […]

Beautiful anime fantasy mom is now teaching Japanese people how to speak English

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelFans of Do You Love Your Mom? Will learn how to say “You may not look at me in the nude” as part of new textbook. Despite Japan being the home country of anime and manga, not every parent is happy to find out their children are fans of those media. After all, any time spent […]

Video shows final moment for Harajuku Station as Tokyo landmark closes after 96 years in service

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelFarewell, Harajuku Station…and hello, Harajuku Station! As a city that relies on rail to get around, there are a lot of train stations in downtown Tokyo. Harajuku Station, though, was one of the special ones. After opening in 1924, Harajuku Station was able to survive both the firebombing of Tokyo during World War II and […]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposes postponing Tokyo Olympics for one year

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelReported conference call asks IOC to change Tokyo 2020 to Tokyo 2021. Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, the Japanese government has remained unshakably optimistic about sticking to the schedule for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which are supposed to open on July 24. That optimism, however, seems to have reached its limit. Japan’s national broadcaster […]

Japanese Twitter user offers explanation for why Japan’s coronavirus outbreak has been so small

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollDespite not being on lockdown, why has Japan been able to keep coronavirus infection and fatality numbers so low? You may have seen a recent article by Bloomberg News that was titled, “A Coronavirus Explosion Was Expected in Japan. Where Is It?”. In truth, besides the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship–which many say […]

Japanese convenience store overtaken by nature and vending machines, looks like a Ghibli movie

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeStreet-corner shambles holds a magical allure.  Strolling around the streets of Japan can often feel like an exciting adventure, with hidden gems like weird and wonderful post boxes and pups in walls just waiting to be discovered. Some of these treasures are only known by locals, and Twitter user @Eyes__Hunter is one of them. After coming […]

Indulge in this sumo, public bath-themed room during your next stay in Tokyo’s Harajuku district

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Krista Rogers“Dosukoi” is the next iteration of themed travel accommodations being offered by the fun and inventive Moshi Moshi Rooms. Moshi Moshi Rooms are the place to stay in style when in Tokyo. Located in the popular youth culture district of Harajuku, the rooms are produced by Asobi System, which promotes Harajuku culture to the world, and […]

Eat a mountain of chicken katsu at this restaurant in Nara【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J ShannonIf you’re into eating challenges, this is one you won’t want to miss out on. Japan’s Nara prefecture is generally known for its many temples and deer, but it also has more than a few good places to eat. One of them is a place called Tonmasa, a place that serves up “the world’s biggest […]

Caravan company offers discount during coronavirus, despite social distancing recommendations

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katy KellyNow you can get some real social distance by… working from home with other people? As social distancing rules tighten and more white-collar workers are encouraged to work from home, businesses are starting to find unexpected problems cropping up along the way. Working from home comes with its own unique challenges — there are less […]

Tokyo could be put on coronavirus lockdown, governor says

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelLife has stayed remarkably normal in Japan’s capital during the coronavirus outbreak, but that could be changing soon. While the coronavirus outbreak remains at the forefront of most people’s thought in Japan, in many ways daily life hasn’t been altered anywhere near as dramatically as it has in many other countries, Yes, sports and entertainment […]

Japan’s Cats and Dominos video warms the heart, makes us want to home and watch it all day【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelNot going anywhere for a while? Let this awesomely adorable video keep you company! We’ve been told that practicing proper hygiene and social distancing are essential during the coronavirus outbreak. Those are both excellent ideas for maintaining physical health, but when it comes to maintaining mental well-being, I think we all know what’s going to […]

Tokyo Olympics loses first participant as Canada withdraws from Games over coronavirus concerns

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelCanadian Olympic and Paralympic teams won’t be heading to Japan this summer, and one other nation is already following suit. The Tokyo Organizing Committee is yet to back away from the scheduled July 24 date for the Olympics opening ceremony, and the IOC has likewise yet to publicly voice a desire to reschedule or cancel […]

Digital resurrection after death? 63 percent of Japanese and American survey participants say nah

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Eli PangDead folks tell no tales unless they become an AI-programmed hologram! The application of artificial intelligence is relatively flexible. From determining government policy to creating new snacks, the future of AI use seems broad, and we wouldn’t dispute a possible Terminator-esque takeover. However, Whatever, a cross-disciplinary art studio, seeks to ignite new conversations about artificial […]

Japan’s gothic lolita fashion rental shop gives our reporter her first taste of lolita life【Pics】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelDozens of options and delivery to your door lower the entry barrier for first-timers. Japan’s gothic lolita fashion is compelling and captivating, but all that lacy trim and expansive hoop skirts put it on the outside edge of the apparel bell curve. So while a lot of people are curious, not all of them are […]

Japanese cat does a perfectly graceful acrobatic flip to escape from the perilous shower room【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katy KellyThat we could all so effortlessly swoop away from our problems! Who else has been desperately scouring the Internet for cat videos? Like, more than usual? I thought so. Nothing brings us together in times of crises like a video of a small furry creature doing something silly or adorable or both. Twitter user @pomm0112 […]

Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelWhether you call it Demon Slayer or Kimetsu no Yaiba, Kamado Shrine is the place to go for fans of the hit anime/manga. Many of Japan’s shrines and temples are beloved not just for their religious significance, but for their beautiful aesthetic qualities. Honmangu Kamado Shrine, for example, is famous for its cherry blossoms in […]

Japanese police officers turn police box into their own little love hotel, do it instead of duty

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelLate-night shifts, nothing to do, and a bed just sitting there. Just about every neighborhood in Japan has a local koban, or “police box,” a sort of compact street-side guardhouse with uniformed officers on duty, tasked with springing into action should any illegal activity take place. However, in practice most koban staff spend more time […]

Six-button Switch! Japanese gadget company turns Nintendo’s console into retro arcade controller

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA throwback solution to a modern problem with the Nintendo system. While there’s a lot to like about the Switch, Nintendo’s flagship hardware does have one serious shortcoming in its design. There’s no traditional D-pad, so when using your left thumb to control your character’s movement you’re stuck working with either an analog thumbstick or […]

Hanami cherry blossom viewing season begins in Japan as cities around the world shut down

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeQuestions about complacency are being raised as people gather at popular sakura spots in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.  As Japan shrugs off the cold days of winter, people around the country start thinking about the hanami cherry blossom viewing season, that long-awaited time of year when people gather together under the sakura trees […]

Coronavirus changes how Tokyo shrine handles centuries’ old purification process for visitors

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelPriests fear traditional custom could lead to infection, provide modern alternative. When stepping onto the grounds of a Shinto shrine in Japan, one of the first things you’ll notice is a small pavilion called a chozuya, which has a fountain or basin of water at its center. Before going to offer prayers, you’re supposed to […]

Japanese hospital worker tweets about receiving temporary 100,000 yen bonus for economic reasons

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katy KellyThis bonus comes with a special set of conditions: you must prove you used up the entire amount by April 30, or it’s null and void. Scary times abound with the global spread of the coronavirus, and while health is the first worry on everyone’s mind, there’s still room to worry about other things as […]

Sega hints at return of most powerful spokesperson they’ve ever created

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterThat rodent you’re thinking of doesn’t hold a candle to this man’s raw strength. It was the year 1960. The Flintstones debuted on network TV at the same time as the first televised presidential debate between JFK and a sweaty Richard Nixon, and an embattled slot machine manufacturer named Service Games of Japan was bought […]

Gothic Japanese Street Styles in Harajuku w/ Alice Auaa, Demonia & Handmade Fashion

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We met Daiki and Leo on the street in Harajuku, where their monochrome gothic styles easily caught our eye.

Daiki, a Japanese illustrator, on the left, is wearing a handmade ruffle dress in black and white with Geox boots. Her favorite fashion brand is Putumayo and she likes the music of Hikashu and Orange Range. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter for more of her gothic fashion.

Leo – who works in apparel – is wearing a distressed top by Japanese designer Alice Auaa with a handmade hat, skinny jeans, and platform Demonia boots. Their favorite shops/brands include G2?, Curious, and Vivienne Westwood. They like the music of Sheena Ringo. Follow Leo on Instagram for more fashion.

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tokyo

Handsome Japanese cosplayer finds renewing driver’s license hard after huge transformation【Pics】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelBefore/after comparison shows it’s tough to get a new ID when the new you doesn’t look like the old you. There are a lot of rewards to being a good driver, and one of them is not having to retake the test when you renew your license. If you’ve stayed out of trouble on the […]

Japanese grandpa’s advice to “flip a coin” when conflicted is wise for an unexpected reason

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Scott WilsonA deep reason behind a simple act. Old Japanese men have quite often surprised us with their hip fashion, prowess at Pokémon GO, and ability to build giant, terrifying robots. And when it comes to dispensing wisdom, it seems they have no shortage of that as well. Japanese Twitter user @mikitachuo recently posted a conversation […]

We test out Honda’s free rental motorbike program and eat disease-thwarting mochi【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Eli PangCruise around town and experience a different side of Kyoto in style and comfort. Japan is largely praised for its efficient transportation system. Often it feels like you can get anywhere by train or bus, especially in more metropolitan areas, and there’s no shortage of praise for the kindness of fellow commuters. However, for those […]

Daughter of Japanese idol and former SMAP star Takuya Kimura becomes a model in Japan

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeEldest daughter of a heartthrob graduates high school and enters the world of fashion. If you asked people in Japan to name a famous singer/actor/hearththrob, chances are they’ll mention a man named Takuya Kimura, most commonly known as “Kimutaku“. The 47-year-old has been in the public eye since he was signed to the Johnny & […]

Survey ranks Tokyo as the most desirable Japanese prefecture to live in, bumping Kanagawa to #2

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollTop 10 results reveal the special places around Japan that people most want to live in. Japan has 47 prefectures stretched out between its five main islands, and each one is great to live in for its own reasons. In terms of which is the best, data indicated that it’s Fukui Prefecture, though resident surveys reported […]

Corned beef taiyaki with melted cheese soon to be available for a limited time at popular chain

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollThe usually sweet Japanese snack is getting a delightful savory edition. Taiyaki is a more modern Japanese treat, but has become a staple at festivals and in shopping centers ever since its invention in the early 20th century. The little fish-shaped cakes are stuffed with all manner of fillings, from the standard red bean paste […]

Japanese drugstore prohibits transforming into other people during coronavirus panic

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelAlso asks that mask buyers refrain from suddenly developing a need for eyeglasses. Common coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of coronavirus panic, however, now include sudden physical transformation into a different person. This phenomenon was observed by the workers at a Japanese drug store recently visited by Twitter user @awo_3310, […]

Busty cosplayer shares photo showing he’s actually a guy, shocks fans【Videos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J SoraNews24Sexy girl? Handsome dude? This cosplayer can appear as either. Japanese cosplayer Rei (@Rei_Dunois) has a pretty respectably sized fanbase, with over 56,000 followers on Twitter. At first glance, Rei’s formula for success seems to be a pretty tried-and-true one: meticulous makeup and hairstyling plus skimpy outfits plus large breasts generally results in attention and […]

Suicide rates for Japanese women/overall population reach historic low, with troubling exception

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelA decade of mental health improvement for almost everybody, but the “almost” part shows there’s still a lot of work to be done. This week, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare released the final results of its statistical analysis of suicide in the country during 2019. While the topic is always a sad one, […]

Arashi’s greatest hits named world’s best-selling album of 2019

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterThe veteran boy band becomes first Japanese artists to achieve such a ranking. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry released their ranking of global top-selling albums for 2019. This list counts the number of full album sales both physical and digital from all over the world, and this year heavyweights like Taylor Swift and […]

Worker at Narita airport accidentally drops coronavirus reagent, contaminates whole room

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katie PaskIf you think you’re having a bad day at work, it can’t have been worse than this airport worker in Japan. The quarantine station at Narita airport has been temporarily closed, as one of the airport workers accidentally dropped a glass tube containing a coronavirus reagent. Reports say that the worker dropped the tube earlier […]

Wear your love of ramen around your neck with a noodle towel from Japan

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeBecause there’s nothing more refreshing than patting your face dry with a bowl of ramen.  Japanese brand Felissimo has been making us laugh for years now with the creative offerings being sold under their You+More label, which takes its name from the English word “humour”. After smiling at their Smiling Seal Blanket Cushions and gushing […]

Japanese ramen restaurant chain brings out noodles with cola dipping sauce for a limited time

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeWhy drink cola with your noodles when you can eat it instead?  From piranhas to berries and even mint chocolate tapioca, we’ve seen ramen combined with a lot of weird and wonderful things over the years, but now we’re bracing ourselves for something we didn’t see coming: cola tsukemen. Tsukemen is like a cold, deconstructed […]

Ingenius method of getting Japanese kids to practice hand-washing earns a stamp of approval

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katy KellyAny parents in Japan fretting about their kids’ hand hygiene will want to buy one of these cute stamps. The coronavirus pandemic has everyone either resorting to the mercy of ancient yokai spirits or desperately keeping tabs on their own personal hygiene, especially that of their hands. But parents are coming up against an all […]

Hundreds of Jump anime episodes now free to watch online in coronavirus countermeasure campaign

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelThe heroes of One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto, and more are all here to keep you company as you keep yourself safe from the coronavirus. Otaku around the globe know manga publisher Shueisha’s Jump brand, especially through its flagship Weekly Shonen Jump, the biggest comic anthology in the world. But did you know that Jump […]

All Black Mens Minimalist Japanese Street Style w/ OY Cap, Leather Blouson, ESC Studio Turtleneck, UNIQLO Cropped Pants, ASCLO & Hoka One One Chunky Sneakers

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Here’s Shirake in his all black streetwear look while out and about in Harajuku.

The 19-year-old Japanese student stepped out in a leather blouson from the Korean streetwear brand OY, an ESC Studio “Adding Insult to Injury” knit turtleneck sweater, and cropped pants from Uniqlo. Shirake finished off his minimalist style with black socks, Hoka One One chunky sneakers, an Oy cap, a black face mask, and a silver chain necklace from Asclo.

Check out Shirake’s monochrome streetwear style on Instagram.

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Tokyo Street Style

The Crocodile Who Dies in 100 Days is due to die today and people can’t bear it

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeFinal day of a manga has the nation on the edge of their seats. For the past 99-and-a-bit days in Japan, people around the country have been captivated by the adventures of a crocodile…who was due to die in a hundred days. Created by manga artist Yuuki Kikuchi, the crocodile first appeared on 14 December […]

Soft On Demand’s free adult video offer results in personal information leak

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterSounds like they were soft on cybersecurity, but seriously, folks…  On 13 March, Japan’s leading adult video producer Soft On Demand announced that it would offer 200 of its titles free of charge until the end of the month to assist those isolating themselves in pleasuring themselves. It was a touching gesture that resulted in […]

Rock star Yoshiki donates to Meals on Wheels, asks why coronavirus cases in Japan are so low

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeX Japan frontman appears to fight back tears as he talks with a Nobel Laureate about the pandemic. Yoshiki from X-Japan is one of the country’s most famous and talented musicians, and he’s also known for being one of the most generous, donating 10 million yen to Kyoto Animation after the deadly arson attack, and […]

Empty Tokyo train stations look like video game dungeons 【Photos】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeKeep your wits about you — you never know what might appear as you walk these underground tunnels. Tokyo has an extensive rail network that shuttles millions of people around the capital on any given day, with station entrances and exits often accessed via long interconnected tunnels that can keep commuters underground for kilometres. These […]

Tokyo Disneyland’s Twitter lets you feel like a guest without setting foot in the park, and fans are thrilled

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katie Pask“We hope we can bring a little cheer into your day,” the official account posted. It’s almost spring in Japan, which brings with it the end of the school year. For many students, it means graduating from school. For others, it’s spring break. Time to relax, unwind, and get ready for the new year ahead. […]

An edible DIY Japanese rock garden is what we all need to stay sane while working from home【Pics】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelSoothing to look at and delicious to taste, this is our newest home office amenity. The coronavirus outbreak has a lot of people working from home for the first time in their careers, and also finding that, psychologically, there are both pros and cons to telecommuting. On one hand, you’ll have a hard time finding […]

Sakura Oreos set to blossom in Japan this spring and fill our hearts/stomachs with happiness

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelTwo very Japanese Japan-exclusive flavors added to cookie lineup. Sakura season is shaping up to be a little different in Japan this year. With coronavirus transmission still a legitimate health concern, health officials have been discouraging large public gatherings, and that means that cherry blossom parties in parks, one of the surest signs of spring […]

Funny Shiba dog had a silly reaction to eating natto, frightened its owners, made the vet laugh

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dale RollWho would have thought that dogs would like natto? Shiba inu are some of the cutest and goofiest dogs. They have boundless energy that they use to run, hop, swim, and play all day long, and their owners generally love them to bits. So when one shiba ate some natto (fermented soy beans) and started […]

VR cherry blossom parties: 360-degree video series provides beauty, dates for those stuck indoors

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelIf your Japan travel plans fell through due to coronavirus, or you’re here but stuck inside, these gorgeous videos are the next best hanami option. With the sakura just starting to bloom, ordinarily this would be the time people across Japan would be planning hanami (cherry blossom-viewing) parties. Spring 2020 is a unique situation, though, […]

Beautiful Magikarp necklaces show your Pokémon-loving lover you’re in it for the long haul【Pics】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelJapanese accessory maker sees the true beauty of the Water-type Pokémon, and knows that good things come from commitment. Each species of Pokémon has its particular claim to fame. Pikachu is the most famous and widely loved. Eeevee has the largest number of possible evolutions. Greninja has an election success record that would make Boss […]

Otaku in Western Art: Hilarious viral hashtag finds geeks hiding in classic masterpieces

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Oona McGeeOtaku struggles are real and they’ve been right under our noses for centuries. In Japan, being an otaku doesn’t necessarily mean you’re just into manga and anime. Here there are train otaku, figurine otaku, plane otaku, plastic model otaku, idol otaku…the list goes on and on. The one thing that unifies otaku across the board, though, regardless […]

Japanese prefectural government passes video game ban limiting kids’ daily play, smartphone time

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelOh, but of course they’re allowed to continue studying until any time of night. A government crackdown on video games sounds, ironically, like the plot to an edgy near-future-setting video game from the mid ‘90s. “In the year 2020, Governor Nobrane Dorkmyer has banned video games, turning the citizens of Coast Rock City into spiritless […]

Man who knowingly spread coronavirus to various bars in Aichi dies in hospital

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Master BlasterA reminder of how serious this disease can be. Two weeks ago we reported an incident where a man in his 50s who tested positive for COVID-19 defied the hospital’s orders to go directly home. Instead he visited several drinking establishments for the duration of the evening before being committed to a hospital the following […]

We try on the Japanese kimono you can put on in 29 seconds, see if it lives up to the hype

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Katy KellyLet it not be said that SoraNews24’s reporters don’t push the limits of speedy kimono suit-ups. Our Japanese language reporter Masanuki Sunakoma was strolling around when he came across this intriguing poster. ▼ “A kimono you can put on in 29 seconds flat!” Now, Masanuki is no expert on kimono. He would be the first […]

Robot noodle chef starts working in Tokyo train station, serves up taste of the future【Video】

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelOur resident noodle expert tries out the robo soba. Sometimes you get hungry when you’re on your way from Point A to Point B, and so noodle stands are a common sight inside Japanese train stations. What’s not so common, though, are noodle stands with robots working inside them. So when our soba noodle-loving reporter […]

Vegan hamburger steak rice bowls added to over 1,900 convenience stores in Tokyo

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey BaseelFamily Mart wants people who don’t want to eat animal products to have something to eat too. You can find some pretty great stuff in Japanese convenience stores. Piping hot pizza buns? Delicious fried chicken n a variety of flavors? Meat sauce and seafood pasta for less than a buck? Yes, yes, and YES! But […]

Harajuku Mens Street Style w/ Thai Boxing Shorts, Grillz, Off-White Puffer Jacket, Adidas x Gosha Rubchinskiy & YSL Boots

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Catching our eye on the Harajuku street one evening is Shun, a Japanese college student and software developer.

Sporting a blonde hairstyle, Shun is dressed in a metallic silver Off-White puffer jacket, which he wore over a neon pink Adidas x Gosha Rubchinskiy track jacket and a pair of Thai Boxing Shorts. A pair of metallic gold YSL heeled pointy boots, pyramid earrings, knuckle rings and silver and gold grillz rounded out his eclectic style.

Shun loves to shop at Ciara, and he likes listening to Elton John’s “Your Song”. For more of Shun’s streetwear styles, check him out on Instagram.

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Tokyo Street Style