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Japanese masturbatory aid and insect repellent companies collab on a new product
A stroke of genius?Spring appears to be springing in Japan, and that means two things. First is the return of insects, some pretty and some horribly annoying. Second is that many a young person’s thoughts turn to romance, but with so many bugs outside and high-quality programming on streaming services, who’s got time for that?Perhaps that is why the Japanese masturbation aid manufacturer Tenga and the Japanese chemical company specializing in insect repellent Earth have teamed up on a new spring
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
There’s a beautiful reason why Mr. Matsuda didn’t name his restaurant after himself.As Japan’s biggest restaurant chain for gyudon (beef bowl), and also its primary ambassador abroad, Yoshinoya is practically synonymous with the dish, But have you ever wondered how the chain got its name?Looking at how Yoshinoya is written in Japanese, 吉野家, it seems like the reason could be pretty obvious. The first two kanji, 吉野, are pronounced “Yoshino,” which is a family name, and the last kanji, 家, pronounce
50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]
As Donbei celebrates its 50th anniversary, two of its original noodle recipes return.Nissin might be most famous for their Cup Noodle ramen, but they know a thing or two about speedy udon and soba noodles too. They offer both as part of their Donbei instant noodle line, which has been a hit ever since it first went on sale in 1976.Over the years, Nissin has tinkered with the Donbei recipe, adapting and updating it to suit changing preferences. To celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary, though, t
This standing sushi bar inside a Tokyo train station blew us away with its speedy deliciousness
No conveyor belts or chairs here, just excellent sushi at a fair price.Japan’s rail network is a joy to use. Trains arrive at the exact minute they’re supposed to, carriages are clean, and stations have ample, easy-to-understand signage that makes it a snap to navigate to your necessary transfer or desired exit.But there’s a special kind of joy waiting for you if you’re passing through Akabane Station in Tokyo, which has an outstanding, speedy, and affordable sushi restaurant inside its ticket g
China vows to further expand high-standard opening-up
China reaffirmed on Thursday its commitment to further expanding high-standard opening-up and domestic demand, sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world, and welcoming businesses from all countries to further tap the Chinese market amid global challenges.
Japan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?
Moth poo and cherry blossom leaves are the secret ingredients in Secret Spring. We’ve seen a lot of weird tipples in our time, but a new release from Haccoba Craft Sake Brewery in Fukushima Prefecture beats them all with one very unique ingredient: insect poop.This special sake is actually made by fermenting rice with Chuhicha, a tea developed by a researcher at Kyoto University Graduate School. This tea, written in Japanese as “虫秘茶“, which contains the kanji for “insect&
Studio Ghibli releases new anime character socks to put a magical spring in your step
Put your best foot forward with the help of some beloved movie characters. If you’re a Ghibli fan who believes in function and fashion, then this new release from the studio’s Donguri Kyowakoku retail chain will be right up your alley. Consisting of not one, not two, but a whopping 18 designs, this bumper sock collection will keep your feet warm and protected while adding a dash of anime charm to your outfits, ensuring you feel comfortable and fashionable while stepping out in them.T
Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Sakura season comes to the inside of Yamazaki’s Lunch Packs.Yamazaki Baking’s Lunch Pack series of sandwich pockets is a Japanese convenience store staple, with year-round hits like peanut butter or egg salad always being a good choice for a quick, convenient bite to eat. But Japan loves special seasonal flavors, and with the cherry blossoms currently in bloom, you can now get sakura Lunch Pack sandwiches too!The full flavor name of this limited-time treat is “Sakura An and Whipped Cream,” with
Starbucks Japan has a secret coffee press service that not many people know about
Elevate your Starbucks experience with a special service that’ll turn heads during your visit.Sometimes the best finds in Japan are the ones you stumble upon yourself, and that’s what happened when we stopped by Starbucks the other day and saw a handwritten message on the chalkboard at the entrance that said: “Why don’t you order a coffee press?” Despite visiting Starbucks countless times, we’d never heard of a coffee press service before – we hadn’t see
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Rapeseed, tulips, nemophila, and over a million poppies line up for a floral relay.If you spend any time in Tokyo in the spring, you may be greeted by the sight of a flood of people competing for selfies with a single cherry blossom branch in famous parks like Ueno Park, or swept up by the stream of tourists walking alongside Meguro River as they admire the pale pink canopy of sakura blossoms. The classic spots are popular for a reason, I mean they are stunning, but if you’re like me and prefer
Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]
We head half-way across Japan and try what foodies say is the most delicious McDonald’s branch in the whole county.Among people who’ve tried both, there’s a strong sense that McDonald’s tastes better in Japan than it does in the U.S. However, recently we’ve been hearing rumors that even within McDonald’s Japan, there’s one branch that’s better than all the others.By-location variance seems contrary to both the purpose of a chain restaurant and Japan’s cultural appreciation for diligent precision
This upcycled Kyoto train cafe is the ultimate kawaii spring experience
Produced by Kawaii Monster Cafe creator, the Future Train diner serves up pink teriyaki burgers and wobbly pancakes aboard the Sakura Express.Kyoto in springtime is a fantastical sight: the traditional Japanese charm of the many temples and shrines, adorned with the soft, pink petals of the cherry blossoms. Travelers flock from around the globe to witness the beauty of the city, and if you’re looking for a unique way to experience the magic of sakura season, which adds a major dose of fun to any
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Once an under-the-radar sakura spot, this neighborhood near Shibuya has become dangerously congested.Around 20 years ago, Nakameguro was still one of Tokyo’s less famous, if-you-know-you-know cherry blossom viewing places. That’s no longer the case, though, as it’s become one of the city’s hottest sakura spots, particularly with a young adult crowd that flocks to the tree-lined streets that run along the sides of the Meguro River. The food and drink vendors are a little fancier than what you’ll
Starbucks Japan adds new Sencha Matcha Tea Frappuccino to its menu, but only at 28 locations
Expand your knowledge of Japanese tea culture with three new green “experiences”.With spring comes fresh harvests of green tea, and Starbucks is reminding us of that with the grand unveiling of three new beverages so special the chain is describing them as tea “experiences“. These beverages feature the chain’s ever-popular matcha, but with the addition of a new “sencha blend” (sencha refers to steamed green tea, which is the most popular type in Japan).
Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]
A cool/kweh-l reason to visit fantastically beautiful Fukushima.A good trip and a good RPG share a lot of appeal points. In either case, there’s the sense of anticipation that comes with venturing into a realm you’ve never been to before, the wonder of encountering new experiences, and the rewards of coming back with treasure (whether glittering gold or local foodstuffs and handicrafts).And so it is that Final Fantasy, which has been beckoning fans into its fantasy video game worlds for decades,
Faculty Opportunity: Bring Your Next Conference to SFU with the MECS Ambassador Program
Faculty members looking to raise the profile of their research, department or professional field are invited to participate in SFU’s Meeting, Event and Conference Services (MECS) Ambassador Program.
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
The Neko House Desk understands who’s really in charge of your home, and helps you convince them to let you have some space too.A big part of the appeal of working from home is that even if you’re still working for somebody else, you get much more control over your immediate environment. Want to play music during your shift, while also spending it all in your pajamas and setting the thermostat to whatever temperature you want? Go right ahead! No one is going to stop you.However, while you may no
Fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
Assailant had previously been arrested on suspicion of violating the Stalker Regulation Law. On 26 March, a female employee was stabbed at the Pokémon Center megastore in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Ward by a male assailant who then stabbed himself. Both were transported to the hospital unconscious but confirmed dead shortly afterwards.According to reports, the incident occurred at around 7:15 p.m., when a man was seen with a knife at the register. He approached a female store clerk at the counter
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fire and forest spirits are ready to lend some light wherever you need it.Howl’s Moving Castle’s Calcifer should be, from a design standpoint, pretty difficult to pull off. He’s essentially an anthropomorphized cooking fire, a concept that simultaneously sits at both ends of the spectrum of Studio Ghibli’s incredibly high standards for detailed depictions of natural phenomena and emotionally expressive character movement. Of course, if there’s anything the past 40-someodd years have taught us, i
China vows to further expand opening-up
FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY China reaffirmed on Thursday its commitment to further expanding high-standard opening-up and ...