Anime series Cowboy Bebop celebrates anniversary with pop-up cafes in Tokyo and Osaka
April 13, 2018
/Japan Trends
Fans of the anime Cowboy Bebop will jump at the chance to enter the world of their favorite 1990s anime TV series at two real-world locations in Japan.
Making us feel somewhat old, Sunrise's ...
Designed by Kengo Kuma, Ace Hotel Kyoto to open at historical ShinPuhKan location in 2019
April 9, 2018
/Japan Trends
The American chain Ace Hotel will open its first branch in Japan with a stunning new hotel, designed by Kengo Kuma and located on the site of the ShinPuhKan mall in central Kyoto.
"A friendly ...
BonsAI is smart bonsai plant integrated with artificial intelligence technology
April 2, 2018
/Japan Trends
It seems that no aspect of culture is safe from the reaches of artificial intelligence these days, so perhaps it was only a matter of time before the technological revolution caught up with ...
Two things people readily associate with Japan are elements of history (especially samurai) and technology (particularly, at least more recently, somewhat wacky examples).
These two are present in ...
Alice Through the Looking Glass Face Packs
Cheshire Cat, Red Queen, Mad Hatter skin-care masks
Meet COLORFUUUL, Japan’s first all-foreign male idol music group
March 26, 2018
/Japan Trends
"Diversity" is a popular buzzword in Japan right now. All eyes are on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that the media and government policy-makers think will be a game-changer of sorts. Tokyo will, albeit ...
Suigian is a new sushi restaurant in central Tokyo that combines classical performing arts with some of the finest dining the city has to offer.
Opening March 20th in Nihonbashi, the lunch and ...
Hello Kitty Shinkansen bullet train to run in west Japan this summer
March 15, 2018
/Japan Trends
JR West has announced that a special Hello Kitty version of the Shinkansen bullet train will be in operation this summer.
Sanrio's immensely popular cat character will decorate a 500 Series ...
Tokyo subway gets into cherry blossom viewing mood with Ginza Line Sakura Train
March 12, 2018
/Japan Trends
Spring has arrived in Tokyo, bringing with it sunny and warm days, blustery winds and their accompanying first bouts of pollen allergies, and a wealth of spring-related foods and other products. This ...
Utaet Voice Training Silent Karaoke Mic
Sing to improve your abilities and also exercise your body!
Designed to bring out the potential of any player and instrument, Duet with Yoo is an experiential, co-performance installation by Hakuhodo i-studio that uses the Yamaha AI Music Ensemble System. It ...
Global cosmetics giant Chanel has opened a branded Coco game center in Shibuya ward, Tokyo.
Open from March 2nd to March 11th in Case B in Jingumae, near Omotesando and Harajuku, the ground floor ...
Piko Taro teams up with Momoiro Clover Z for vegetable-themed song and music video
February 28, 2018
/Japan Trends
Does Piko Taro have another hit on his hands? Nearly a million views seems to suggest so.
The "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen" creator has recently launched a new song on YouTube, this time significantly ...
CoroCoro Comic manga sparks protest with Genghis Khan penis image
February 27, 2018
/Japan Trends
The heyday of manga magazines is over, so it takes something for a controversy about a mainstream comic to make the headlines.
That is what has happened with Shogakukan's monthly manga magazine, ...
Frozen Beer Slushie Maker
Kirin Ichiban's machine puts an ice cap on your beer and helps keep your beverage cooler for longer!
Kawaii Kabuki: Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters recreate Momotaro folk tale on stage
February 20, 2018
/Japan Trends
Visitors to Sanrio Puroland, the theme park with attractions based on Sanrio characters, can enjoy a whole new kind of entertainment from March with a kabuki-inspired Hello Kitty ...
SoftBank Pepper robot becomes super deformed cuddly toy with giant head
February 16, 2018
/Japan Trends
If you like the SoftBank robot Pepper, you will love this: a Pepper cuddly toy. And not just any cuddly toy, this is a super deformed-style Pepper, complete with an oversized head.
SoftBank has ...
The manga and anime franchise Cardcaptor Sakura has spawned a lot of spin-off merchandise over the years, and it now has its own cafe in Tokyo.
The shojo manga about elementary school student ...