For those that aren’t familiar with all the cool (unofficial) holidays of Japan, January 15th has become known by some people as “Strawberry Day”. The reason is pretty simple: the number One is “Ichi” in Japanese and the number Five is “Go”. So the number Fifteen is “Ichi-go”, and “the word “ichigo” means Strawberry in Japanese. So Strawberry Day! And Cafe Comme Ca in Tokyo … Continue reading Strawberry Day Cakes In Japan!

Tsukiji Market had its first tuna auction of 2018, which will also be the last one to ever be held at the current Tsukiji Market location—Tsukiji Market will be relocated to Toyosu Market in October 2018. And this year the most expensive tuna sold for $325,446! The winning bid was made by Yukitaka Yamaguchi, the President of wholesale fishery “Yuki”. The tuna weighed an amazing … Continue reading 2018 Most Expensive Tuna Sold For $325,446 at Tsukiji Market!

Tokyu Hands and Gudetama are teaming-up for the New Year, as they hold a huge Valentine’s Collaboration that runs from January 9th to February 14th! Checkout the short introduction video about this campaign here: As part of this collaboration there will be fun workshops, original limited items with Valentine’s designs, and other fun events. From January 9th, be on the lookout for these items at … Continue reading Gudetama And Tokyu Hands Valentine’s Day Collaboration!

If you love Japanese Idols and J-Pop, but feel like there isn’t enough spandex and wrestling, then Up-Up Girls Wrestling is here for you! Up-Up Girls wrestling is both an idol group and a pro-wrestling group, and performs in the Tokyo Budokan. They made their official debut on January 4, 2018, represented by members Miu, Hinano, Hikari, and Raku. The idols/wrestlers had a 20-minute battle: … Continue reading Up-Up Girls Idol Wrestling Debut in Tokyo!

Manga artist Ryo Sonoba has created a program in Yamaguchi, Japan that allows inmates to be sentenced to “hard labor”, but the labor is actually drawing manga! When Ryo saw prison life he realized that some of the prisoners were actually really good artists. Take a look: That’s when he had a great idea–why not see if they would draw some background drawings for the … Continue reading Yamaguchi Inmates Draw Manga!

The Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama, Japan is starting the New Year right, by hiring…a CAT! That’s right, Kuronosuke the cat has been given his own office in the museum, and is expected to show-up to work a couple of time each week. Of course, he has his own uniform–a red string tied around his neck, and his “job” is to welcome visitors to the … Continue reading Japanese Cat Has Office in Museum!

For those that aren’t familiar with it, Japan has an annual NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen or “Year-end Song Festival” on New Year’s Eve. This year, during the 68th Kouhaku three members of the all female idol group Keyakizaka46 collapsed while performing on stage. The group was performing with Uchimura Teruyoshi when Hirata Yurina (16) was visibly shaking during the dance routine. At the end of … Continue reading Three Members of Keyakizaka46 collapse on Kouhaku Stage!

Let me tell you a tale of Samurai chefs, skilled in the art of making ramen. Residents of Seattle know this story well, but I didn’t have to travel that far, because these Samurai have settled part of their clan in Houston, Texas. This is the story of Samurai Noodle (cue cool Japanese music here). For those that want to see how these modern-day Samurai … Continue reading Samurai Noodle Restaurant Review!