Hatsune Miku has been known for helping blaze the trail to the future for quite some time now. From her futuristic look, to her function as a vocal synchronization software, Miku has inspired AR apps, 3D hologram concerts, and more. Now it seems that this digital pop-star has inspired her fans to take that extra step into making tomorrow come today. Using Hatsune Miku as a muse, one Niconico Douga user has invented a unique new musical instrument, simply known as Ano Gakki (“That Musical Instrument”).
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
We try a $10 Japanese grape from a bunch that retails for over $400 【Taste Test】
We tried Japan’s Strawberry Daifuku? liqueur, one of three dessert-themed liqueurs
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
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
New 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 train
Our 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
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
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
We try a $10 Japanese grape from a bunch that retails for over $400 【Taste Test】
We tried Japan’s Strawberry Daifuku? liqueur, one of three dessert-themed liqueurs
Pizza Hut releases a turtle pizza that looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
89-year-old Japanese man rides bike 600 kilometers to visit his 61-year-old son
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
The secret of Starbucks Japan’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie: It’s not made by Starbucks!
How to say “I love you” in Japanese – 47 different ways 【Videos】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo