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Moscow’s First Maid Cafe is Russian-Made, Japan-Approved

Moscow’s First Maid Cafe is Russian-Made, Japan-Approved

Maid cafes have become a quintessential symbol of Japanese otaku culture and many foreigners who visit Japan make a trip to one an essential stop on their travel itinerary.

In recent years, some enterprising foreigners have even opened maid cafes back home, though some argue that they don’t translate well into other cultures and that foreign girls look awkward trotting about in stylized French maid costumes. In some cases, it is (see the video at the end of this article).

However, doubters need only look to Moscow’s first ever maid cafe, Otaky, which boasts a staff of young Russian maids so cute that even Japan acknowledges they’re doing it right.

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Taking the Ferry From Japan to Foreign Lands: a New Adventure!

Taking the Ferry From Japan to Foreign Lands: a New Adventure!

If we asked you your travel plans for your next trip abroad, you would probably come up with a flight plan.  It wouldn’t occur to most of us to take a boat.  The fastest way to get from point A to point B particularly when B is overseas would have to be flying.

A ferry ride to foreign lands, compared to air travel ,may not be the most efficient way to go, but the sense of embarking on an adventure on the high seas, makes up for it!  From an island country like Japan, surrounded on all sides by water, taking a ferry trip overseas is actually very reasonable.

Although it is not widely known, there are several  ferry routes leaving at regular intervals from various ports across Japan.  Where do these ferries go?

According to information from the Travel site Tripgraphics, ferries leave regularly for destinations in China, Korea, and Russia.  There are frequent ferry departures to 8 ports of call in these three countries.  Doesn’t it tickle the imagination?  At the very least, you can’t help but be curious.  What would a sea voyage be like? Read More

Russians Banned From Riding Sex Dolls Across River, Government Wary of “Arousing” Anti-Putin Protests?

Russians Banned From Riding Sex Dolls Across River, Government Wary of “Arousing” Anti-Putin Protests?

When you live in a country with long, cold winters and short summers, you do what you can do make the most out of the warm weather. In Russia, they hold a racing event every August called the Bubble Baba Challenge, where hundreds of contestants ride inflatable sex dolls down the Vuoska river rapids.

At least, they did: the event, which was supposed to celebrate its tenth anniversary this year, was shut down by authorities just days before.

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Obama Family Matryoshka Dolls Found in Sakhalin, But Something’s Wrong With Bo…

Obama Family Matryoshka Dolls Found in Sakhalin, But Something’s Wrong With Bo…

Nothing says traditional Russian fold crafts like Matryoshka dolls. Go to any gift shop in Russia and you’re sure to find a set of the little wooden figures on sale.

Sometimes you can even find dolls painted with a quirky theme, such as famous musical acts or soviet leaders. One of our reporters came across a set of President Obama & family Matryoshka dolls on sale for about US $30 at a souvenir shop in Sakhalin.

Needless to say, he bought it on the spot.

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In Soviet McDonald’s, Delicious Rye Bread Hamburger Eat You

In Soviet McDonald’s, Delicious Rye Bread Hamburger Eat You

Russia is one of the less commonly visited countries by Japanese travelers and so when we put the sleeping bear on our itinerary, we made sure to hit up all the important historical landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, McDonald’s…

That’s right: RocketNews24 went to Russia to eat at McDonald’s and we have no regrets, thanks to the Beef a la Rus, a delicious rye bun hamburger introduced 2 years ago to celebrate McDonald’s 20th anniversary in Russia.

So come McKomrades, let us share with you the glory that is the Beef a la Rus.

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From Starbucks Russia With Love: Cute Nesting Doll Tumblers!

From Starbucks Russia With Love: Cute Nesting Doll Tumblers!

You’d have to be living in a cave not to know Starbucks Coffee has stores all over the world, but did you know that there are limited edition Starbucks tumblers and mugs that are only available in certain countries? Among those much-in-demand merchandising items, the one often said to be the cutest and most desirable comes from Russia.

On a recent trip there, we decided to check them out for ourselves. Entering the shop, we immediately clapped eyes on them! Designed to resemble traditional Russian matryoshka, or nesting dolls, these tumblers were a hot cupful of cute. It would be hard to see one and not want to put your morning latte in it. They come in three sizes, and lined up next to each other, they looked so much like real matryoshka, I couldn’t resist buying the set. Read More