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How Many Winks Can You Expect to Catch with these Blindfolds? Over NINE THOUSAAAAAAND!
- Master Blaster
Aug 12, 2012 - Tweet
Have trouble getting to sleep? The sensory depriving qualities of a sleep mask might be just what you’re looking for. Sure, you may think eye masks are for wealthy dowagers and other fuddy-duddies. However, these masks cater to the hip, urbanite otaku in all of us with patterns ranging from mainstream (Sailor Moon) to the obscure (Black Butler).
- Japan
- (anime • blindfold • Dragon Ball • eye mask • manga • Sailor Moon • sleep mask)
Panda Onigiri Are Too Cute to Eat, We Do So Anyways
- Steven
Aug 11, 2012
As a rule of thumb, if you want to cuten something up, add some panda. Just look at these panda rice balls (onigiri). There is no other animal on this planet that can make a ball of white rice look this adorable.
We know what you’re thinking: “Sure they’re cute, and I’d love to make them myself, but don’t you need the dexterity of a Japanese ninja housewife to do so?”
Not anymore you don’t! The panda rice balls you see above were actually made by one of our Japanese reporters (single, female, hasn’t made a bento in 5 years) with the help of the fabulous “Panda Onigiri Set,” which can be purchased for around $13 from sites like Bento & co or JBOX.
Already own a Panda Onigiri Set but are having trouble getting your rice balls to look like the ones in the picture? RocketNews24 is here to pander to your needs with our step-by-step guide to making adorable panda onigiri!
- Japan
- (panda • recipe • too cute to eat)
Ride a Real Sushi Train! The Newest Attraction at the Hamanako PalPal Amusement Park
- Bruce
Aug 11, 2012
The first sushi train themed ride in Japan!
This is one ride we would like to try at least once before we die. The newest attraction at the Hamanako PalPal amusement park in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture allows you to ride on a piece of sushi. The name of the attraction?“Ride on the sushi and spin around!”
Read More
- Japan
- (amusement park • Japan • sushi • Sushi Train)
Possum Cat Plays Dead(?) in the Heat [Video]
- Danielnishina
Aug 11, 2012
Summer can be tough. Some days are so hot that it’s difficult to do much more than idly lie there as the heat drains you of your energy. And just imagine how bad it is if you’re covered in fur.
At first glance this kitty is just sprawled out on a sofa, but as the camera moves around (up and down, circling around, even going right up to the cat’s face), you’ll notice that it doesn’t even move its eyes.
Create a Breeze and Beat the Heat with These Uchiwa
- Karen Bremer Masuda
Aug 11, 2012
If you don’t live in Hokkaido, Japanese summers are hot and humid! A good way to stay cool, other than staying in a confined room where air-conditioned air is piped out from a room cooler, is to use a uchiwa. It only takes just a little muscle to keep a constant breeze and recently there are highly functional ones that will help send cool air your way!
Stainless Steel type, put it in the Freezer!
- Uncategorized
- (climate • cool • cool breeze • fan • freeze • heat • hot • Uchiwa • washi • water droplets)
“All the World Has Been Waiting For You, Goku!” Fans Ecstatic Over News of New Dragon Ball Animated Film
- Kay
Aug 10, 2012
We reported previously on a mystery countdown taking place on the website of the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, which hinted that the popular manga “Dragon Ball” may be making a come back on the magazine. Well, fans of the manga can rejoice! We’ve found out that Dragon Ball is indeed coming back, although not to the Jump magazine, but as a new feature length animated film! Read More
- Global, Internet, Japan
- (Daragon Ball • movie)
Yakuza Themed Restaurant Operating in Bangkok, Still Not Sure Why Thailand Digs the Yakuza
- Master Blaster
Aug 10, 2012
There seems to be something about the yakuza that appeals to the people of Thailand. First, we witnessed a brand of possibly yakuza themed tea: Chakuza. Now we are presented with Yakuzaaa Man Man Japanese Kitchen, which seems to be a hit with local youths and foreigners. You might be thinking from the name that it’s a gay restaurant, but it’s not.
At least I’m pretty sure it’s not…
- S Asia
- (Restaurant • Thailand • yakuza)
We Lose All Sense of Time and Space in the Magical and Beautiful Lello & Irmão Bookstore
- Master Blaster
Aug 10, 2012
In these days of digital media the world is losing more and more brick & mortar shops, which is a shame. Take ebooks for example. Sure they’re infinitely more convenient and less space consuming. But half the fun of reading is going to the book store to find hidden gems and what could be your next favorite. No matter what book store you go to you can’t help but get filled with a sense of elegance and tranquility.
With that in mind, photographer Koach, before capturing the second most beautiful bookstore in Argentina, started his journey in Portugal at the oppositely designed but equally beautiful, Livraria Lello & Irmão (Lello for short).
Anonymous Japan to Hold Second “Cleaning Service” During Today’s Comiket
- Steven
Aug 10, 2012
The Japanese branch of global hactivist group Anonymous has announced they will be holding their second Anonymous Cleaning Service event at Comic Market 82, which started today at 10am Japan time.
Those wishing to participate should ready their Guy Fawkes masks and head to the Yagurabashi pedestrian bridge in front of Tokyo Big Site by 3pm. Participants should also be prepared to take home whatever trash they collect and dispose of it themselves (there are no trash cans on the street in Japan).
Six University Cuties to Face Off at “Miss Science” Beauty Pageant in Tokyo
- Steven
Aug 10, 2012
At Japanese universities, female science and engineering majors are definitely in the minority. Even in Tokyo, it’s not uncommon for ladies to make up less than 10% of enrollment for science departments. But the elusive rikei joshi, or “science girl,” does exist and Japanese student organization CURIE is holding a pageant called “Miss Rekei Contest” to give them a chance to prove they’ve got beauty as well as brains.
- Japan
- (beauty pageant • cute • education • science)
Mariners’ Kawasaki and his Roadrunner/Coyote Fake Steal Brings Smiles to New York
- Danielnishina
Aug 9, 2012
Sunday afternoon, Seattle Mariners shortstop Munenori Kawasaki was on first base and showed off a sweet little fake steal move before pedaling back to first. It got not only the commentators but team members on both sides chuckling a bit. Read More
- Japan, USA
- (fake steal • kawasaki • mariners • munenori • new york yankees • seattle mariners • yankees)
What’s The Best Thing You Ever Said To Your Teacher (To Make Them Completely Lose It)?
- Danielnishina
Aug 9, 2012
We’ve all had teachers with a variety of temperaments. Some were cool, mellow. Some awkward, or just characters. (But hey, teachers are human too and they have to put up with students’ quirkiness as well).
Have you ever said or done anything that pushed your teacher over the edge, even for just a second? Below are an assortment of such utterances taken from a 2ch thread titled “Tell Us Something You Said That Pissed off Your Teacher.” Some of them may sound weird, and you may be shocked at the violent reaction of some of the teachers, but you need to take into account that some forms of hitting are still considered acceptable in Japanese schools. Read More
- Global, Japan
- (class • Corporal punishment • japanese school • school • student • teacher)
What A Disgrace! Was This Olympic Boxing Match Fixed? Referee Expelled
- Danielnishina
Aug 9, 2012
In my career as a journalist, never have I seen such a debacle. The match in question was a bantamweight match, between Azerbaijan’s Magomed Abdulhamidovand Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu. On five occasions in one round, Shimizu knocked down Abdulhamidov, who also received a two-point penalty. The judges ended up awarding victory by judgment to his opponent, who was the one who spent more time on the canvas, and the referee didn’t stop the match as he would reasonably expected to during one of these downs, nor did he even start counting down a single knockdown. What exactly is going on with refereeing in the London Olympics? Read More
- C Asia, Global, Japan
- (boxing • corruption • london • match fixing • Olympics • opinion • referee)
Breathtaking Nagaoka Fireworks Will Make You Want to Spend a Summer in Japan
- Steven
Aug 9, 2012
Summer in Japan is all about matsuri, or festivals. Young people dressed in yukata walking through streets lined with food stalls and game booths, the rowdy, drunken group of local men carrying a giant mikoshi shrine through the crowd while yelling “Washoi! Washoi!” and, of course, the fireworks.
The Japanese take fireworks very seriously, which is why Japan is home to some of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world. To see what we mean, the fireworks show at this year’s Nagaoka Matsuri in Niigata prefecture has been generating buzz on the net thanks to some amazing video footage posted to YouTube. Check it out below!
Samsung Fights to Expel Dr. Dre’s Headphones From the Olympics
- Master Blaster
Aug 9, 2012
It must be hard to be an Olympic athlete with all that pressure to perform with the eyes of the world watching you and asking you to do your very best in that one moment. Not to mention that most of them are far from home in a strange land with strange customs.
For many, the best way to relax the mind and get reconnected to your homeland is by music. And there’s no better way to deliver this acoustic tranquilizer than through a pair of the increasingly popular brand of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Unfortunately, electronics giant Samsung wants to take those away from the athletes.
- Global
- (Beats by Dr. Dre • headphones • Olympics • Samsung)
COCOROBO Is the Funnest Vacuum Cleaner Ever! I Know That’s Not Saying a Lot but It’s Really Fun
- Master Blaster
Aug 8, 2012
When robot vacuum cleaners first hit the scene about a decade ago, they appeared to signal the end of lugging around traditional upright models. However, with a pretty hefty price tag and comparatively limited cleaning ability, they haven’t exactly caught the world on fire.
Seeing this, Sharp has developed a robot vacuum cleaner destined to light a fire under consumers: ladies and gentlemen, meet COCOROBO (also affectionately known as, RX-V100W). So what makes COCOROBO so great? Well, for starters, it’s remote-controlled and able to talk with people.
Japanese Criminal Arrested After Visiting Police on the Advice of His Victim
- Master Blaster
Aug 8, 2012
A 19 year-old male university student was arrested on suspicion of violating the Minor Offenses Act for attempting to video tape inside another female university student’s room.
The shocking part was how he came to be arrested. Before starting the story, I would like to emphasize that this criminal was enrolled in an institution of higher learning, which should imply a certain level of intelligence.
- Japan
- (crime • peeping • smartphone • stupid)
“Sutra Master” is Cute, Confusing, and a Little Controversial, Goes on Sale at Comiket 82 by Ryoho Temple
- Master Blaster
Aug 8, 2012
Tokyo’s famous Comic Market (Comiket) 82, the world’s largest doujinshi convention, is set to kick off on 10 August. We can be sure to expect cosplayers and original comics a plenty, but one particular creation has be stirring up a fair bit of hype weeks before the gates open – the PC game Sutra Master.
Sutras are, in a nutshell, short pearls of spiritual wisdom like something you might find in a high-brow fortune cookie and are often compared to prayers in other religions. Taken from Buddhist texts and often chanted during meditation or religious ceremonies, sutras are generally treated with solemn dignity but Sutra Master takes them to a weird new place.
- China, Japan
- (Comic Market • Comiket • moe • Ryoho Temple • Sutra Master • video game)
“Shiba Inu Plump Booty Curry” is the Curry of Choice for Dog-Lovers and Booty-Lovers Alike
- Steven
Aug 8, 2012
The Shiba Inu is one adorable little ball of fluff, especially from behind. I mean, who can resist that curled up tail nestled atop a plump little posterior that shakes back and forth as they trot along.
Japanese blogger and Shiba Inu-lover Takedatake has recently found inspiration in that captivating rear view for a novel at-home recipe he calls: “Shiba Inu Plump Booty Curry.”
Instructions on how to make the dish follow below:
Nyan Cat Song Makes it into Hatsune Miku Project DIVA f
- Steven
Aug 8, 2012
Famitsu has revealed three new songs for the upcoming Playstation Vita game Hatsune Miku Project DIVA f and it looks like one of the internet’s favorite memes, the Nyan Cat song, made the list.
We haven’t been this excited for a rhythm game since Trogdor made it into Guitar Hero II.
- Internet
- (Hatsune Miku • meme • Nyan Cat • Project Diva • PS Vita • video games)
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Today
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
7-Eleven Japan now has Milk Miso Curry Ramen, but is that too much for one cup? [Taste test]
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Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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Weekly
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
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Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
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Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
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Japanese food hack says to soak your grapes in carbonated water, but is the fizz worth the buzz?
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
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
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Sushi Bus starts running in Japan, but is it a tourist trap or tourist must-do?
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Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
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