Japan Informer

Japanese retailer Felissimo already boasts a cuddly evolving from egg to King Penguin plushie as part of its cute and quirky YOU+MORE! series (a play on the pronunciation of "humor" in Japanese), but for added measure they're giving the transforming penguin a pal in the form of this extremely derpy-looking Kiwi keychain and stuffed animal. The release is a collaboration … [Read more...] about Japanese Super derpy Kiwi pretending to be a Kiwi fruit keychain and plushie

Japanese culture purists may see it as an abomination, but you can hardly escape Starbucks in Japan nowadays. Even in culturally important areas the chain have started adapting their store aesthetic to sneakily slip their branches into the existing historical townscape. Depending on your outlook, this could either be seen as a dire threat to Japanese tradition or a fun and … [Read more...] about Traditional Japanese style Starbucks coming to historical Nagano temple area

As fans of competitive bike racing manga and anime Yowamushi Pedal know, the setting for much of the action takes place in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture. Thanks to franchise's popularity, the city has become a haven for cycling enthusiasts. If you're in the Kanto area and thinking about getting away from the urban jungle and doing some outdoor activity, Sakura City is … [Read more...] about Yowamushi Pedal stamp rally is a biker’s anime pilgrimage, popular cosplayer Chamomile reports

Anyone who has spent time in Japan will tell you that outside of the multitude of services available at them, convenience stores live up to their name with their ubiquitous nature. In major cities, it can sometimes be difficult to walk a minute or two without passing by several convenience stores, so normally one wouldn't bat an eye at one. Japanese Twitter user Sukkun … [Read more...] about Mysterious Japanese convenience store “ruins” could be a Studio Ghibli castle

Japan’s prison system has been thrown into the spotlight in recent months thanks to the accusations against, and detention of, one Carlos Ghosn, illustrious ex-CEO of Nissan. This has exposed questionable practices such as “hostage justice”; forcing suspects into limbo through extended detention until they confess, irrespective of real guilt. Once imprisoned and then … [Read more...] about Interview with Shogo Suzuki: The CEO Changing Japanese Society’s Attitude to Ex-Inmates

TOKYO| Japan's school uniforms are typically pretty divided across gender lines, so the Fuji Hokuryo school in Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture decided to allow its students a bit of leeway with what it’s dubbed “S8x Change Day,” a play on the terms “S7x” and “Exchange.” On this special day, male and female students were allowed to trade uniforms. A voluntary event, 117 male … [Read more...] about Japanese School Holds ‘Gender Change Day’

Facing heavy global pressure and rising athlete dissent, the International Olympic Committee sharply reversed course Tuesday and agreed with Japanese officials that the Olympics and Paralympics will not take place this summer in Tokyo in the wake of the growing novel coronavirus pandemic. Organizers say they now hope to stage the Games by the summer of 2021. The Olympics … [Read more...] about Japan, International Olympic Committee agree to postpone Tokyo Games

Last year the first ever permanent Pokémon Cafe opened up right next to the Pokémon Center DX in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, and ever when you consider that then it is been offering seasonal treats inclusive of Sword and Shield starter plates and Halloween Pokémon dishes. Flagship Pokémon Pikachu has often been featured at the menu a lot, but now the electric critter is … [Read more...] about Sakura Afro Pikachu Cake And Latte Hits Pokémon Cafe For 2020 Cherry Blossom Season

Tsumami zaiku is a traditional Japanese craft that dates back to the Edo Period used to create lovely hair adorns and sticks to pair with kimono. Square pieces of fabric are delicately and painstakingly pinched and folded in crafting adorns along with cranes, however also flowers consultant of the season called kanzashi. Japanese maker Asobiya focuses on such hair … [Read more...] about Japanese Maker Uses Age-Old Craft For Elegant Earmuffs To Pair With Kimono