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Rachel Tackett
Despite being born and raised in one of the more sparsely populated regions of the U.S, Rachel has found her true home in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, where all of the narrow truths that she grew up with no longer apply, and she is free to experiment with a wealth of exciting new pastimes. Highly qualified as a “Dabbler in Many Things,” Rachel’s hobbies include reading, blogging, singing, cosplaying, attending theater productions, and drawing for her doujinshi circle, Amyused. She also does work translating and typesetting manga for a number of (legal, I swear) digital distribution sites and boosting their popularity through social networking management.
Posted by Rachel Tackett (Page 9)
Release Your Inner Vampire by Feasting on Blood in the Philippines
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 11, 2013 - Tweet
What comes to mind at the mention of stew? Maybe a hearty beef stew or some creamy chicken soup? Well, it seems that many fast food restaurants in the Philippines will sell you stew that’s made from the blood of domesticated animals! Holy cow! Or maybe it’s horse. Sheep? Exactly what kind of blood are we talking here?! To find out more, we flew our top investigative reporter to the Philippines to fill us in on the heart of the matter. Read More
An Interview with One of Japan’s Few Gun Owners
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 10, 2013
In Japan it is a crime to own a gun; simple as that! …Okay, not quite. It’s not an easy task, but with proper training and a hard-earned permit, it is possible to become a legal gun owner in Japan. Down in Kumamoto Prefecture, we managed to share a word with one such gun owner. This 68-year-old man has had his own hunting rifle for quite a long time, but didn’t have many chances to go out shooting when busy with his full-time job and the daily grind. Now that he’s old and retired, he’s putting his gun permit to good use and making the most out of his remaining years. You won’t want to miss our full interview with this rare breed of gun-toting Japanese huntsman. Read More
This Robot’s Got Soul! We Discover an Animatronic Ray Charles Sittin’ on a Bench in Osaka
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 9, 2013
Japan has made quite a name for itself in the world of high-powered technology. It’s no lie that seeing the words “Made in Japan” stamped on the back side of any camera or other electronic device gives one the immediate impression of superior quality. Why, Japan is so advanced that even their street performers are technological geniuses! No really, imagine our surprise when we heard that a creative craftsman in Osaka developed his own life-size singing robot, the likes of which are rarely found outside of the enclosed passages of Disney’s “Small World” attraction. Brimming with intrigue, we immediately took to the streets of Osaka to find out more about this singing robot and the man who created it. Read More
Alcohol Made with Fermented Wasps Gives New Meaning to the Phrase “Get Your Buzz On”
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 6, 2013
By all accounts Japan’s giant wasps are dangerous creatures. And yet, our team recently learned of one huntsman from Kumamoto Prefecture who has a hobby of fermenting these monstrous bugs in batches of shouchuu (Japanese liquor similar to vodka). It merits saying that even in Kumamoto, selling this kind of alcohol is not a common practice. If you do happen to come across some wasp-infused booze in a souvenir shop, it’s safe to say that you’ve strayed quite far from the mainstream marketplace.
Hearing about this peculiar home brew, we at RocketNews24 couldn’t help wondering what kind of a man would make shouchuu containing wasps. Our very own field journalist took a trip to Kumamoto to meet the man in his home and find out more. Read More
- Japan
- (alcohol • Flavored liquor • Kumamoto • Wasp)
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 5, 2013
If there’s one household commodity that Japan can truly be proud of, it’s their high-tech toilets, particularly the model known as a Washlet. These things are world-famous for their advanced butt-cleansing technologies and heated seats. Why, the simple press of a button has water spraying up out of the bowl like a fountain! To any long-standing member of Japanese society, the warm water jet is obviously intended to help rinse away the residue of a good dump, but what’s a foreign traveler to do when faced with one of these mythical thrones for the first time?
In hopes of preempting any future toilet travesties, we at RocketNews24 would like to introduce you to our demonstrative list of things one shouldn’t do with a Washlet. No, really. While some of these items may seem like clever ways to freshen up after taking care of business, the Washlet is not a one-stop body shop, and we urge you never to try these things at home… or anywhere else for that matter. Read More
- Japan
- (bathroom • etiquette • toilet • Toilets in Japan)
It’s a Musical. About Tennis.
- Rachel Tackett
Apr 2, 2013
In recent years, Japan has seen an interesting trend regarding their live stage performances. In addition to their culturally classic forms of theater and some popular hits imported from Broadway, Japan is now turning their beloved anime and manga into live-action stage productions! Similar to the way that Disney’s “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and others have been given new life on the big stage, Japan’s popular niche series are also coming into the limelight. Read More
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Recent Posts
- Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
- Continuing cyberattacks hit Japanese arcade hard [Photos]
- Starbucks Japan reveals this year’s lucky bag, but you’ll have to act fast to get one
- Princess Mononoke was going to look totally different, new Studio Ghibli artbook shows
- Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
Continuing cyberattacks hit Japanese arcade hard [Photos]
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Princess Mononoke was going to look totally different, new Studio Ghibli artbook shows
Starbucks Japan reveals this year’s lucky bag, but you’ll have to act fast to get one
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
Godzilla becomes a Japanese randoseru backpack, as do two of his greatest rivals [Photos]
Weekly
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
Princess Mononoke was going to look totally different, new Studio Ghibli artbook shows
Starbucks Japan reveals this year’s lucky bag, but you’ll have to act fast to get one
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
Godzilla becomes a Japanese randoseru backpack, as do two of his greatest rivals [Photos]
This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
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