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Cara Clegg

After discovering anime in her early teens, Cara decided she wanted to live in Japan. Of course her parents thought it was just a fad... but 11 years, a university degree in Japanese Studies, and a whole lot of culture shock later, here she is. She currently works a day job whilst writing and translating otome games in the evenings. Her hobbies include anime, manga, sci-fi & fantasy TV shows, and starting countless things that will never get finished.

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Posted by Cara Clegg (Page 13)

Kimchi cocktail offers a taste of Korea that no Korean would actually endorse

Cara Clegg
Apr 18, 2014
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You’ve probably heard of a Bloody Mary, a popular cocktail with a base of vodka and tomato juice, plus a host of other weird and wonderful flavourings such as Worcestershire or Tabasco sauce, horseradish, celery, pepper, salt, lemon juice, and so on. It may not sound appetizing but it has plenty of devotees, although that may be more to do with its reputation as a ‘hair of the dog’ hangover cure rather than its taste. But if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try the even more exotic flavours of a spicy Korean kimchi version?

Korea
(alcohol • cocktail • gourmet • kimchi • recipe)

Real-life barbie bares real-life face in minimal makeup selfies【Photos】

Cara Clegg
Apr 16, 2014

Real-life Barbie Valeria Lukyanova, regular fixture of blogs worldwide, has caused another stir, but this time it’s not because she’s said something offensive or downright ridiculous. After making virtual waves with her outrageous makeup, fashion, and philosophy, Valeria’s now making a splash by taking it all off.

Global, Internet
(makeup • Real Barbie • Valeria Lukyanova)

Otaku pro wrestler Tomoyuki Oka makes no apologies for blurring the nerd/jock boundary

Cara Clegg
Apr 15, 2014

Tomoyuki Oka, Japanese pro-wrestler and all around tough guy, has already captured the hearts of an unlikely otaku audience by being very open about the fact that, despite appearances, he’s actually one of them. He’s recently released a promotional video where we can see the contrast between his tough, physical side and his completely nerdy, anime-obsessed personality, but also find that there’s more synergy between the two aspects than might be expected.

Japan
(anime • otaku • Tomoyuki Oka • wrestling)

Living with ghosts: The rising popularity of ‘death rooms’ in Japan

Cara Clegg
Apr 9, 2014

In Japan, places where people have died are considered bad luck, so unsurprisingly apartments where there has been a suicide, murder, or other death are rented at much cheaper prices than usual due to a lack of demand. However, real estate agencies are seeing a surge in people specifically seeking these kinds of ‘death rooms’. That may sound horribly morbid, but usually it’s not out of a desire to be close to death. Rather, for those who can put aside their culturally-ingrained reservations, it’s a way to save money during tough times.

Japan
(apartments • death • incident buildings • real estate • rent • stigmatized property • suicide)

Experience the ultimate moe flight with Asian Air x Mirai Airlines

Cara Clegg
Apr 5, 2014

Danny Choo, founder of Culture Japan and inexhaustible ambassador for all things moe, announced the collaboration between his mascot Mirai Suenaga and the Thai airline Asian Air on his website this week. Read on to find out just how far their plans for anime-themed air domination go.

Japan, SE Asia
(airline • airplane • anime • Asian Air • mascot • moe • Thailand)

Everyone’s favourite giant penises will be popping out again at this year’s festival of phalluses

Cara Clegg
Apr 5, 2014

It’s that time of year again! Spring is in the air, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and everyone’s feeling a little bit randy. What better way to celebrate life than with the Kanamara Matsuri, better known as the Penis Festival, to be held on April 6th from 11am to 6pm.

Japan
(festival • Kanamara • penis • penis worship)

Build your own smartphone in just 10 years with innovative new kit from au!

Cara Clegg
Apr 2, 2014

You read that right: in just 10 years you can have your very own hand-made smartphone with the brand new weekly make-your-own-smartphone kit from Japanese mobile provider au! For anyone who’s a fan of weekly collect ’em magazines (who isn’t?), tech, or wasting their money, then this is for you.

Japan
(april fools • AU • cell phone • Humor)

Banish the Monday blues with bunnies! 【Monday Kickstart】

Cara Clegg
Mar 31, 2014

Yep, unfortunately it’s Monday again. It just doesn’t take the hint, does it? It’s like that kid no one ever wants at the party, but who just keeps turning up anyway.

So to ease you on your way into the week, we’ve got some cute little bunnykins who are all dealing with the dreaded Monday in their own special ways.

Internet
(animals • bunnies • cute • Humor • Monday Kickstart • rabbits)

Japanese man suffering from dementia could lose house after forgetting about court hearing

Cara Clegg
Mar 19, 2014

As Japan’s population continues to grow older, the nation is having to change to cope with the challenges that come with this aging demographic. The following story is just one unfortunate example of how current systems can fail to meet the needs of the elderly.

Japan
(aging society • elderly • law • legal)

China ready to enter console wars with home-grown device?

Cara Clegg
Mar 18, 2014

Could China finally be ready to make its long-delayed entry into the console wars? It was only a matter of time since the 14-year ban on video game consoles was lifted in January of this year, and a collaboration between two companies has now announced that we could see a new China-exclusive device out sometime this month.

China
(consoles • Fun Box • gaming • Tegra 4 • The9)

Never agonize over your fast food decisions again – Pizza-Burger is here!

Cara Clegg
Mar 16, 2014

Ever had that terrible indecision between pizza and hamburger? Japan’s got your problem solved! It’s not quite as out-there as the bizarre creations we’ve become used to – in fact, maybe this time they’ve actually got things right.

Japan
(burgers • food • freshness burger • gekidan exile • pizza • theatre)

China’s polluted rivers can be surprisingly pretty, but might turn you into a mutant

Cara Clegg
Mar 14, 2014

It’s well-known that China’s struggling with some serious air pollution, but perhaps less talked about is the toll being taken on their rivers. According to a recent survey conducted by Chinese media, 96% of respondents felt that not a single river around them was clean enough to swim in. And judging from these photos, anyone who did decide to risk a dive would probably come out looking worse than the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

China
(pollution • river • water pollution • water source)

Dinner is served! Get your teeth into giant marine isopods – tastes just like chicken!

Cara Clegg
Mar 12, 2014

Those right there my friend are fried armored isopods, and they’re just waiting for you to munch down on those crunchy exoskeletons. Heston Blumenthal get on over here, ‘cos this might be just what you need to get your next Michelin star.

Japan
(Aquarium • deep-sea • gross • weird food)

Cool cat chills out with his mohawk, doesn’t care what you think

Cara Clegg
Mar 11, 2014

This cat is just too cool! A user posted a short video to YouTube, showing off this ginger beast’s totally rocking hairstyle. We’re pretty sure the handsome fellow would be getting kicked out of school for daring to wear such a gravity-defying mohawk!

Internet, Japan
(cats • cute • YouTube)

The world’s most expensive tissues? Might as well wipe your boogers on a $100 bill!

Cara Clegg
Mar 8, 2014

The Japanese paper company Daishowa First has announced their newest high-quality product: a tissue box containing soft and luxurious tissues of 12 different hues. The product is named ‘Juunihitoe‘, a traditional Japanese word that refers to a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono worn by a court lady. It’s a fittingly regal name for something that will probably only be bought by A-list celebs with too much money on their hands. We don’t all have 100 dollars to drop on our snot-catchers, do we?!

Japan
(Luxury • shopping • tissues)

Lycra-clad Super Sentai descend on Taiwan to… pick up trash?!

Cara Clegg
Mar 8, 2014

Japan sure knows how to say thanks in a unique way! Super Sentai (not to be confused with hentai!) were on hand to save the day in Taiwan by rescuing an area from rubbish, in a street-cleaning event that began as a way of showing gratitude for Taiwan’s contributions to the Tohoku disaster relief effort. And what expresses those feelings better than people running around in flashy skin-tight suits?

Japan, Taiwan
(2011 Tohoku Earthquake • charity • NGO • Super Sentai • Taiwan)

10-year-old letter arrives from daughter lost to tsunami (you might need tissues for this)

Cara Clegg
Mar 5, 2014

‘I wonder if you’ll have a grandchild when you get this letter?’ These are the words written by a woman 10 years ago, before she lost her life in the March 2011 tsunami. Her mother and father were shocked to find the letter containing them arrive in the mail this January. While there was no Hollywood movie ending where their beloved daughter turned up alive and well, the letter has at least given them a chance to hear some of the things she never had the chance to tell them in life.

Japan
(2011 Tohoku Earthquake • disaster • Iwate • sad • tsunami)

The new product for all Japanese men who wish they were little girls

Cara Clegg
Mar 2, 2014

Are you a guy wanting to try out makeup for the first time? Well Japan, the land where anything goes, has just the thing for you. Allow us to introduce the ‘my first makeup set’ especially for otokonoko! Otokonoko is written with the kanji character for ‘man’ and ‘young woman’ or ‘daughter’, and is a word used to describe men who look and dress like women.

Japan
(crossdressing • gender • makeup • otaku)

Chinese couple braves toxic smog for wedding photos, look like something out of a horror movie

Cara Clegg
Feb 28, 2014

Air pollution in Beijing on February 25 was worryingly high, but one couple wasn’t going to let that spoil their special day. The brave pair risked the toxic smog to pose for their wedding shots, but took sensible steps to keep themselves safe. The results, however, are a little more creepy than they are romantic.

China
(air pollution • gas mask • smog • Wedding)

Foreigners love Japanese conbini so much they made a song about them!

Cara Clegg
Feb 27, 2014

Have you ever loved something so much, you just had to shout it out to the whole world? Well these guys certainly know that feeling. A group of foreigners created this video for the one true love in their lives – Japanese convenience stores.