Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Manhattan
Yujiapu, in China’s Tianjin Binhai New Area, was modeled on Manhattan and expected to become the financial center of the world. But it languishes as many wasteful Chinese ghost cities have. At one point it was reported that the Juilliard School had signed an agreement to set up an institute in Yujiapu. And there were plans for a Rockefeller and Lincoln Center as well. But construction in this Manhattan hopeful has ground to a halt.
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Family Mart makes matcha dreams come true with new lineup of strong green tea sweets in Japan
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu ShioMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in TokyoStudio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectaclesFrench Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social mediaMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
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 KittyAll-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky loungeMore foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitelyMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
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
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Family Mart makes matcha dreams come true with new lineup of strong green tea sweets in Japan
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu Shio
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
Wendy’s releases a Pretzel Roast Beef Burger aimed at foreign tourists in Japan
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
New Mochi Cream Doughnuts from Mister Donut pay homage to Japanese confectionery
New Psyduck doughnut from Mister Donut’s Pokémon collection takes head-holding to new levels