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Oona McGee

Half-Japanese Oona McGee hails from Sydney, Australia, where she worked as a journalist and copywriter before making the move to Japan over a decade ago. Now she spends her days exploring the streets of Tokyo with her laptop and camera, always in search of new cafes, restaurants, events and stories to share with our readers. As an experienced food and travel reporter, Oona has travelled extensively through all 47 prefectures of Japan, and is constantly researching new destinations and drawing up itineraries for her next adventure.

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Posted by Oona McGee (Page 252)

We try the latest crazy chip flavour from Japan: Strawberry shortcake 【Taste test】

Oona McGee
Dec 10, 2015
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Japan now has a new crazy potato chip flavour, and it tastes just like a Japanese Christmas cake!

Japan
(food • Meg • potato chips • snacks • strawberry shortcake • taste test • weird)

Japan finally bottles “the scent of a cat’s forehead”—now available to spray on your belongings!

Oona McGee
Dec 10, 2015

After four months of development, Japanese online retailer Felissimo has finally captured the scent of a cat’s forehead in a bottle.

Japan
(cats • cute. cats • decor • fabric spray • Felissimo • furnishings • home • pets • weird)

The Damborghini: A Lamborghini made entirely from cardboard

Oona McGee
Dec 10, 2015

What do you do when you want a Lamborghini but can’t afford one? You make one out of cardboard!

Japan
(art • cardboard • cars • design • Lamborghini)

Felines flee when Ed Sheeran plays “Thinking Out Loud” at cat cafe in Japan【Video】

Oona McGee
Dec 8, 2015

What happens when British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran serenades cats at a Japanese cat cafe? They all run away—except for one cute kitty who doesn’t know what to make of it all.

Japan
(cat cafe • cats • cute • Ed Sheeran • funny • music • video)

New Mos Burger restaurant serves alcohol, gourmet meals and a burger made from a whole tomato

Oona McGee
Dec 7, 2015

Popular Japanese fast food chain Mos Burger has opened a new restaurant that serves gourmet meals, alcohol and a special vegetarian burger made from a whole tomato.

Japan
(fast food • hamburgers • MOS • Mos Burger • MOS Classic • vegetarian)

We visit one of Japan’s stunning secret destinations: the “Road to Laputa” in Kumamoto

Oona McGee
Dec 6, 2015

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into an animated film from Studio Ghibli, “The Road to Laputa” in Kyushu is one place you won’t want to miss.

Japan
(Ghibli • Hayao Miyazaki • Kumamoto • Laputa • travel)

What Hayao Miyazaki’s Mei would look like if Studio Ghibli released My Neighbor Totoro in 3-D

Oona McGee
Dec 4, 2015

Mei, the strong-willed four-year-old star of Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed anime film My Neighbor Totoro expresses 15 different emotions in brilliant 3-D renderings.

Internet, Japan
(anime • computer graphics • design • manga • Mei • My Neighbor Totoro • Studio Ghibli)

Check out Tokyo’s incredible Christmas illuminations!【Video】

Oona McGee
Dec 3, 2015

Last year, we treated to you a slide-show of some of the best Christmas lights on display in Tokyo. This year, we’re bringing you a full video!

Japan
(Caretta • Christmas lights • illuminations • Japan • Marunouchi • pretty • Roppongi • Tokyo • video)

Sweet suspense: Japanese craftsman uses giant brush to fill in detailed ceramic patterns【Video】

Oona McGee
Dec 3, 2015

We’ve showcased a number of calming videos featuring traditional craftsmen at work, but this clip has the added bonus of suspense.

Japan
(art • ceramics • craftsman • craftsmanship • Ishikawa • pottery • suspense • video)

Protect your cards and cash with the adorable cat-eared Sailor Moon Luna Leather Collection

Oona McGee
Nov 28, 2015

We’ve seen a number of special releases this year in honour of the girls from the popular Sailor Moon anime series. Now it’s time to pay some attention to Luna, one of the star felines from the cast, with this line of adorable cat-eared leather cases.

Japan
(anime • cute • fashion • leather • manga • Sailor Moon)

We try coffee with cheese and wine pairings at a stylish new Starbucks cafe in Tokyo

Oona McGee
Nov 27, 2015

In Tokyo, there’s a very special type of Starbucks that forgoes the usual green-and-white mermaid logo for more subdued, warm-brown hues. They also serve a variety of beers and wine sets paired with cheese or cake.

Japan
(cafes • cheese • coffee • Inspired by Starbucks • photos • Setagaya • Starbucks • wine)

Edo-period ukiyoe woodblock prints of animals and mythical beasts now available for free online

Oona McGee
Nov 26, 2015

Lovers of art, history and animals are celebrating the release of an exclusive set of ukiyoe woodblock prints from 1857 that are now free to download and share online.

Japan
(animals • art • graphics • history • mythology • tradition • ukiyo-e • ukiyoe)

How to make sushi that looks like real-life swimming koi fish【Video】

Oona McGee
Nov 24, 2015

Have you ever wanted to make sushi that looks just like a swimming fish? This video shows how to make the stunning dish in your very own kitchen!

Japan
(beautiful • cool • fish • food • rachel and jun • recipes • sushi • video)

Protect your phone with new set of miniature Sailor Moon weapons and magical items

Oona McGee
Nov 22, 2015

Now you can protect your smartphone with a new line of gorgeous Sailor Moon earphone jack accessories, featuring miniature magical items and weapons from the anime series.

Japan
(accessories • anime • cute • fashion • manga • Sailor Moon • smartphone)

Nestlé Japan to release gold Kit Kats this December

Oona McGee
Nov 21, 2015

Nestlé Japan is famous for producing unusual Kit Kats but this December they’re set to release their most unique version yet: a Kit Kat encased in real gold.

Japan
(chocolate • Chocolatory • gold • Kit Kat • Nestle Japan • sweets)

Tokyo Skytree to light up as three traditional Japanese meals in honour of “Washoku Day”

Oona McGee
Nov 19, 2015

Tokyo Skytree has a brilliant light display in store for four days only, and it’s designed to represent three of Japan’s signature dishes: tamago kake gohan (egg with rice), o-nabe (Japanese hot pot), and takikomi gohan (seasoned steamed rice).

Japan
(illuminations • Japanese food • landmarks • Tokyo Skytree • travel • Washoku no Hi)

We try the sweets, soups, pastas, and fried chicken of KFC’s all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant

Oona McGee
Nov 18, 2015

We visited the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet restaurant in Japan before the official opening day and found more than just fried chicken on the menu. There’re also pastas, soups, breads, sweets, and even an all-you-can-drink beer plan!

Japan
(all-you-can-eat • buffet • fast food • fried chicken • Kentucky Fried Chicken • KFC • restaurants)

Manga-inspired sailor-style school uniforms now redesigned as dresses for everyday wear

Oona McGee
Nov 18, 2015

School uniforms inspired by Japanese manga have come to life as dresses designed for everyday wear by women of all ages.

Japan
(clothes • cosplay • fashion • Felissimo • School Uniforms • uniforms)

New Alien mini figurine set shows Big Chap breakdancing, daydreaming and practicing yoga

Oona McGee
Nov 18, 2015

Big Chap, the terrifying extraterrestrial antagonist from the 1979 Alien movie, gives us a sneak-peek into his day-to-day life outside of the spotlight with this new set of detailed mini figurines.

Japan
(alien • Big Chap • figurines • Hollywood movies • Ridley Scott)

Hamster hides in glass bottle during earthquake in Japan 【Photos】

Oona McGee
Nov 18, 2015

We’ve been taught to shelter under tables when there’s an earthquake, but this little hamster in Japan chose to hide in a glass bottle instead.