birthdays
A pattern emerges in how creators pick characters’ birthday dates, with one day in particular being a major cluster.
Full array of 366 hana komon, each with its own associated meaning and symbolism, is on offer.
These emblems are more personal than a birthstone, and more inclusive than the family crests of Japan’s noble houses.
In order to change yourself for the better, one Japanese website is offering a simple way to identify your own faults based on your date of birth.
Let’s play a little word association game. When I say “birthday,” what’s the next word that comes to mind?
For everyone who said “suit,” well, we’ve always suspected that at least a handful of people at any given moment are reading RocketNews24 while completely nude. Still, I’m guessing that far more of you thought of birthday parties and birthday cakes, which tend to go hand in hand. But what do you make the centerpiece of your birthday celebration edibles if sweets aren’t your thing?
Simple: you get a cake made of meat, like these carnivorous Japanese citizens.
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The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
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“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
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Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
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- Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
- Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】- Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
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
Yearly
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
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Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
“Half-naked men only in loincloths” drum battle returns to Hida festival for first time in five years
Cappuccino Ramen becomes super popular in Japan, but is it worth the hype?
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Japan’s biggest dating app says young people not interested in romance, creates AI girlfriend app
Sengoku samurai warlords transform into easy-to-brew, fruity flavored tea tablets
New 800-yen bill artist concept brings Shiba Inu to canvas of Japanese currency
Cosplay 3D Scanner Studio is a compact way to digitize your cosplay, free cosplayer trial planned
The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is packed with entertainment, food, and drinks–with one caveat
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