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Kendama
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
- Master Blaster
Jan 14, 2026 - Tweet
This toy may be both the greatest and worst thing ever made.
- Japan
- (fukubukuro • fukubukuro 2026 • Kendama • Lucky Bags • lucky bags 2026 • New Year's • plush toys • shopping • Village Vanguard)
Toy or extreme sport? Shop in Hokkaido changes our image of kendama
- Elliot Hale
Nov 14, 2024
The journey of kendama, from a childhood toy to an extreme sport, is being celebrated at this small shop in Japan’s north.
Kendama training cures one man’s self-isolation blues
- Master Blaster
Apr 4, 2020
There’s never been a better time to brush up on the old eye-hand coordination.
- Japan
- (coronavirus • COVID-19 • games • Kendama • Masanuki Sunakoma • self-isolation • toys)
Beautiful Japanese actress’ mediocre ball-on-a-stick skills have Internet crushing hard【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Jan 17, 2018
Most people in Japan outgrow this game by the time they finish grade school, but Kyoko Fukada had adults’ attention.
- Japan
- (beautiful women • Kendama • Kyoko Fukada • video)
New kendama featuring Hello Kitty makes the traditional Japanese game super cute!
- Preston Phro
Mar 14, 2016
If you’ve been waiting, now is the perfect time to take up the traditional children’s game!
Japanese traditional toy kendama is about to evolve into Dendama
- Master Blaster
Mar 4, 2016
Equipped with a range of sensors and motion detectors, the Dendama looks set to bring this classic toy into the 21st century.
- Games & Tech, Japan
- (crowdfunding • Dendama • Kendama • Makuake • toys)
Kendama master takes the game to a whole new level 【Video】
- Krista Rogers
Feb 21, 2014
Almost everyone in Japan has played kendama at some point in their lives. Most people learn how to play it as a pastime during their childhood, then eventually move on to other activities after they get the hang of it and become bored. A select few, however, go on to hone their skills to perfection and actually compete in organized competitions similar to yo-yo tournaments. Enter 22-year-old Hiroki Iijima, who has not only mastered all the regular tricks in the book but has also combined his love for street dancing to create a new freestyle activity: “kendama street dancing,” if you will.
Skeptical? We’ve got video proof of Hiroki’s awesome skills right here. Prepare to be dazzled!
What the heck is ‘kendama’? The traditional Japanese game sweeping the world
- Preston Phro
Jul 15, 2013
The other day, I was trawling through YouTube looking for shamisen music videos when I came across an utterly unique video called “Tokyo Kendama Project vol.2 Utakata.”
It featured the traditional Okinawan sansen three-stringed instrument played by the mysterious Gosamaru and composed by Tomoaki Ogre, the beautiful dancing of Kumi Arikawa, and a pair of strangely hypnotic gentlemen spinning some… things through the air. I’d heard of kendama before, as I imagine most people with even a fleeting knowledge of Japan have, but I’d never seen the toy wielded with such incredible finesse.
Fascinated, I had to know more!
All-Japan Kendama Champion Takes Game to The Next Level
- Yoshio
Jan 20, 2012
First of all, you might be wondering, “What’s kendama?” Well, it’s a popular children’s toy that is kind of like a cup-and-ball game on steroids. However, rather than a single cup, this game has three of varying sizes, and they aren’t so much “cups” as they are shallow saucers that are meant to hold the ball. And if that’s not enough, there’s an extra spike that you’re expected to skewer the ball on exactly through a pre-made hole. The purpose of this game being not only to get the ball into a cup but to also juggle it between cups or spike without dropping it.
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Recent Posts
- Starbucks Japan reveals this year’s lucky bag, but you’ll have to act fast to get one
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- First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
- Godzilla becomes a Japanese randoseru backpack, as do two of his greatest rivals [Photos]
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Today
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Godzilla becomes a Japanese randoseru backpack, as do two of his greatest rivals [Photos]
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
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
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Starbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
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?
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
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
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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Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
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