SoraNews24 —Japan News—

A boat-inspired vehicle and a three-wheeler with built-in protection from the elements have been created in conjunction with a respected Japanese architect.

Japan
(architecture • cars • concept cars • cool • design • Omishima • resort • technology • transport • vehicles • Yamaha)

Photos reveal Yamaha and Suzuki’s startlingly different approaches to scooter storage space

Mike
Oct 3, 2015

In the US, you don’t see a whole lot of people putting around on tiny scooters very often. The long highway commutes and high speed limits make your standard Vespa types pretty impractical for all but the most dedicated of Williamsburg hipsters.

It’s another story in Japan, though, where road commutes are comparatively shorter and speed limits within the city are only a little faster than a light jog anyway. Scooters are a common sight and come in tons of varieties, with two of Japan’s two-wheeled vehicle heavyweights, Suzuki and Yamaha, neck and neck for market share.

But it turns out that the two companies’ nearly identical scooter designs take a remarkably different tack when it comes to storage space. Tennis enthusiasts, especially, may want to take note:

Japan
(design • funny • scooters • sports • Suzuki • tennis • vehicles • Yamaha)

New first-class bus seats have built-in massage functions, internet access and… dictionary

Mike
Oct 23, 2014

Starting soon, you’ll be able to make the journey from Fukuoka to Tokyo with about as much style as you can get while riding an excruciatingly long night bus.

The Nisshi Nippon Railroad Co., which confusingly also apparently operates a bus line or two, says it will be installing the new “Premium Seats” on a very small selection of its newest buses. While we’ll admit there’s nothing all that luxurious about a bus seat, no matter how far the seat reclines and how fancy the amenities, this one comes with a pretty extensive list of perks:

Japan
(technology • tourism • travel • vehicles)

See Toyota’s cute and compact i-ROAD in action on Tokyo’s streets

Cara Clegg
Jul 18, 2014

Toyota Motor Corporation’s sleek and compact vehicle shows off its moves in a new promotional video after successful public trials in Tokyo. Watch these cute and colorful little vehicles whizz past the city’s landmarks and glide around corners while leaning at an incredible angle.

Japan
(cars • electric car • i-ROAD • TOYOTA • vehicles)

Japan’s Armed Forces Show Their Playful Side: Moé-Style Attack Helicopter Wows Crowds

Philip Kendall
Oct 19, 2012

“It just goes to show that we really do live in a peaceful country.”

A quote from an internet user sums up the mood perfectly after Japan’s Self Defence Forces unveil a unique attack helicopter covered with manga-influenced designs and colours.

Presented as part of an air show in Chiba prefecture last weekend, the quirky new helicopter quickly stole the show, with hundreds of people taking photos and video to share on the internet.

Whether we’d ever see a helicopter like this fly into battle or not, there’s no denying that it has an awful lot of charm.