Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
GrowHair
When I woke up this morning, there were a few things I had expected for my day: a few gallons of coffee, a couple hundred photos of cute cats on the Internet, and a dozen more replays of Urbangarde’s music videos. What I had not expected to see was an origin story for none other than Sailor Suit Old Man.
And in case you’re wondering, no, he’s a not a grand wizard from an alternate dimension. But that might not be too far off!
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
Japanese hotel has rooftop hot spring bath, unlimited sushi and alcohol, costs less than 80 bucks
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese black curry “experiment” takes place at an unlikely restaurant branch in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyersForeign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekendNew definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird trainOur Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
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
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
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
Japanese hotel has rooftop hot spring bath, unlimited sushi and alcohol, costs less than 80 bucks
Gacha machine backpack is Japan’s hottest new fashion statement
Final Fantasy XVI cafe menu brings Eikon drinks, Torgal parfait to Tokyo’s Square Enix Cafe【Pics】
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Is Japan’s new Super Thick Ramen worth waiting two hours in the Tokyo cold for?【Taste test】
Hello Kitty collab with coffee shop Doutor offering tasty, kawaii treats, limited-edition goods