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Studio Ghibli turns anime characters into “Friendly Bags” for merchandise range in Japan

Six characters from three famous films are ready to become your bag buddies.When talking about friends and friendship in Japan, you’re likely to hear the word “nakayoshi” pop up in conversation. Made up of the words “naka” (“within”) and “yoshi” (from “good”), it’s a term that expresses the idea of getting along well with someone and being on friendly, close terms.It’s a sweet word with a lovely sentiment, and it’s something that Studio Ghibli has incorporated into its latest o

Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant

Soon-to-close sushi joint breaks the mould with crazy creations that make California rolls seem tame. Whenever we eat out at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, we always find ourselves reaching for the ones topped with lashings of mayonnaise and avocado. While those two unorthodox ingredients might send a shudder down a sushi purist’s spine, we can’t get enough of that rich, indulgent flavour. It’s a style of sushi that’s long captured the heart of one of our Japanese-language reporters, Takuya I

Kiki’s Delivery Service to be adapted to live-action series by BBC, Studio Ghibli not involved

Kiki’s next adaptation will draw from her original, pre-anime roots, but will audiences give it a chance?Earlier this year, Kiki’s Delivery Service had its first-ever IMAX screenings in North America, and this month the large-scale remaster of the Studio Ghibli anime classic will be arriving in Japanese theaters too. That’s not the only reunion in the works for fans of the young witch, though, as a live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service adaptation has been announced.This isn’t going to be a one-sho

Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals

“Super Happy Too Much! Challenge” campaign has all the right ingredients for happiness.The month of June is a happy one at Lawson, or to be precise, a “Chou Happy Sugi”one, as that’s the name of the so-called “challenge” campaign currently being held at the chain for four weeks, which sees some of its most popular products getting the upsize treatment, at no extra cost to customers.With a name that translates as “Super Happy Too Much! Challenge” or “Super Happy Overload! Challenge”, size is at t

Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking

This is the summer for dipping.With warmer weather on its way in Japan, Starbucks is coming to the rescue with a new release inspired by “a Milan cafe at sunset”. Sold exclusively at the chain’s Reserve Cafe branches, the new menu items are designed to provide you with a refreshing escape from everyday life, and there are two drinks and a sweet pastry in the lineup.▼ Frozen Crush Coffee Lemonade (Tall size only) 864 yen (US$5.39) for takeout; 880 yen for dine-inThis frozen beverage is inspired b

New research reveals that the key to efficient memorization may be in exhaling

Teams of researchers in Japan believe that they’ve pinpointed the most effective moment while breathing for memorizing new information.It’s always been funny to me that to this day I can still remember the exact J-pop songs where I first learned hundreds of new Japanese vocabulary items more than two decades ago. I often practiced while singing along to the lyrics again and again, creating much stronger associations than if I were to simply read them in a textbook. It turns out that

These rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?

We find out if premium prices mean superior flavour. While browsing the upmarket Isetan department store in Shinjuku the other day, we came across a surprising product called Tenran Ukokkei Ran. Literally translating as “Tenran Silkie Chicken Eggs”, the two-pack came with the eye-popping price tag of 1,512 yen (US$10.40), making them 756 yen each.▼ The brand name “Tenran” is only used for eggs sold by Kanazawa-based company Ukokkei from the Silkie chickens they raise under its management in Ishi

Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar

A humble store so generous it makes us want to cry.The recent wave of price hikes in Japan shows no signs of slowing down – in fact, many would say it’s only getting worse. These days, it feels like we’re constantly checking prices and lamenting over how things that were once affordable just aren’t any more, especially when it comes to food, as portion sizes get smaller and prices get higher, even at local supermarkets.With our eye now becoming expertly trained to spot a bargai

Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan

Machi Mobi offers a safer and more environmentally friendly way to see the tourist sites.For many overseas tourists in Tokyo, a tour around the city on four wheels means joining a fleet of go-karts. What many tourists don’t know, though, is there’s an alternative tour that’s safer for both drivers and the environment, and it’s called Machi Mobi.▼ Machi Mobi (“まちモビ”) combines the Japanese word for “town” with “mobility”.According to organisers, the Machi Mobi e

Abandoned pirate pleasure ship sinking south of Tokyo Bay, city orders destruction

Avast, here not be free mooring, declares Kawasaki.Even without much of a background in Japanese geography, I’m willing to bet that a lot of people would assume, correctly, that Kawasaki Ward is inside the city of Kawasaki. What far fewer people would be able to guess, though, is that inside Kawasaki Ward is a pirate ship.And yet…▼ Yarrr!!!That 24.7-meter (81-foot) long vessel is the Anniversary Cruise. Okay, maybe not as intimidating a name as the Queen Anne’s Revenge or Night Rambler, bu

Japanese soccer fans show excellent manners as World Cup opens[Pics, video]

Chants and headbands aren’t the only tradition supporters of Japan’s sports teams bring with them when attending events overseas.The World Cup is underway, and while Japan always gets excited when it has a team or players in an international sports contest, it doesn’t seem like the hype is quite as palpable this time around. Part of that might be due to the Japanese men’s team not looking quite as competitive as they did a few tournaments ago, and the booming popularity of baseball in Japan thes

Studio Ghibli adds My Neighbour Totoro futon bedding to its anime store in Japan

Famous character plays strawberry thief in this new bedtime adventure.Studio Ghibli’s 1988 animated feature film My Neighbour Totoro is not unlike a bedtime story. There’s the mysterious forest setting, magical character encounters and a story arc that ends with a happily-ever-after, so when you fall asleep, any dreams you have are likely to be filled with fun adventures.▼ If that’s the kind of slumber you want for your child, then you’ll want to take a look at Studio Ghi

Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America

Giant Totoro heads across the Pacific as Ghibli specialty shop opens up in California.For Studio Ghibli fans, visiting Donguri Kyowakoku, a.k.a. Donguri Republic, is a must while traveling in Japan. The Ghibli specialty shop is filled with an amazing array of merch, and in addition to the expected Totoro and Catbus plushies and keychains they also have items such as No Face soy sauce dispensers, Calcifer lanterns, and other creatively cute interior and fashion items.Actually, visiting the store

Reinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you

Toss another shrimp on the rotating irori forged in an ancient kiln town!Cooking with an open fire is a rapidly growing trend among high-end restaurants in Japan, and that gives way to all kinds of experiential dining concepts and new flavors. It’s also great news for traditional craftspeople in Japan who suddenly have new opportunities to sell their finely forged wares.One such business in the field of traditional Japanese hearths called “irori” is Osaka-based Chirori. In the spirit of creating

Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own

With the full-scale train needing to take a break, toymaker Takara Tomy is here to pick up the Slowpoke slack.Much like how every Pokémon fan has their favorite Pocket Monster, so too do various parts of Japan have special relationships with certain species. In the case of Kagawa, that special relationship is with Slowpoke, who’s become such an active goodwill ambassador for the prefecture that he was briefly named governor.Aside from his brief political career, other highlights of the Slowpoke/

Japanese Sakuranbo Mochi goes viral online with millions of views, but is it worth the hype?

Seasonal fruit gets a Japanese makeover, but only for a very limited time.When it comes to high-value, affordable sweets, Japanese chain Chateraise is one of the true champions of the dessert world. Known for low prices and a wide range of goods, covering everything from Western sweets, to Japanese confections, ice cream, bread, and even alcohol, Chateraise represents great value for money, and is incredibly popular throughout the country.Right now the chain has become even more popular, thanks

When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains

Sukiya serves up a unique interpretation of miso ramen.Along with Yoshinoya and Matsuya, Sukiya is one of Japan’s big-three gyudon/beef bowl chains. But while Sukiya has always been a great place to grab a bowl of beef over rice, as of this month it’s also a place where you can get ramen…kind of.At the start of June, Sukiya added three different ramen options to its menu, and sure enough, when we paid a visit to our local branch we found them on the touch-screen order panel.The らーめん part o

Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]

Educator in Nara’s most famous deer town fast tracks admission to institute of higher learning.Ordinarily, there are three major paths to university admission in Japan. The first is taking and passing the school’s entrance exam. Sitting for an interview and winning over the admissions board is another. The third method, being admitted in recognition of outstanding abilities in athletics, the arts, or other respected fields, is less common, but still a possibility.However, the president of Nara P

Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it

A milk tea so milky it’s called Tea Milk.Milk teas are incredibly popular in Japan, but now there’s one so milky it’s causing a stir online, with Japanese social media lighting up with praise for it. Exclusive to Japanese-born fast food chain Mos Burger, this new drink goes by the name “Tea Milk“, because the dairy component is so strong – the ratio of tea to milk is said to be 1:9 – that it’s more like having tea with your milk, rather than milk with your tea

Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal

Farewell celebration includes giveaways to help fans look a little more like Gundam themselves.We’re sadly down to the last few months before it’ll be time to say goodbye to Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue. The 19.7-meter (64.6-foot) tall RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, which has been standing stalwartly outside the Diver City shopping center in the city’s Odaiba district, will be removed at the end of August, vacating the plaza it’s been located in since September of 2017.But a special sendoff is planned,