Japanese manufacturer and retailer Bibi Lab has never been afraid to appear a bit crazy with their creative releases. When they’re not turning Japanese schoolgirl uniforms into wearable kotatsu and creating one minute-prep yukata pajamas, they like to appeal to human laziness with giant pig-tail beds that swallow you whole and a jumpsuit that turns people into sloths. Now Bibi Lab is tapping into some clearly important research to offer a bedding option that satisfies the “human desire to become a cat” with their Pet House for Humans that lets you lounge around like a lazy feline. Although you may chalk this up to being yet another eccentric novelty item…

‘Hey world! This is Japan’s shiba inu!’ This photographer’s rallying cry was heard all over the Twittersphere as she uploaded the photos of her dog surrounded by nemophila flowers. Shiba inu have become such an iconic symbol of Japan that it seems fair to use such a tagline. The photographer, ISSY-RIDER (@ISSYRIDER), is based in Tsukuba in Ibaraki prefecture. Not the most famous of prefectures, but probably most known for the stunning Hitachi Seaside Park. The huge space incorporates the unique natural features of the area including sand dunes, forests, grasslands and springs. This diversity helps the park stay in bloom for most of the year. Tourists flock to the…

This charming cat cafe in Tokyo looks like it could be the setting for a Studio Ghibli film. For as many cat cafes as Japan has, there is certainly no shortage of variety. Feline fans can enjoy cat cafes on trains, cosplay cat cafes, rescue cat cafes that offer adoption services, and even a cat cafe where the kitty staff occasionally cosplays. (And if you prefer dogs, the mini-Shiba Inu cafe is a must.) It’s probably no coincidence that Kichijouji Petit Mura is located in the same neighborhood as the official Studio Ghibli Museum, as the theme-parkesque village area houses a magical castle called the Temari no Oshiro that would…

For the uninitiated, pizza in Japan can be an experience that makes you forget whatever dogmatic belief you have about permitting pineapple as a topping. Very few first-timers are properly prepared for a Japanese pizza party when Corn-Mayonnaise makes a dramatic entrance. Corn-Mayonnaise: a Japanese pizza staple hajimeganeさん(@hajimegane8)がシェアした投稿 – 2017年 1月月13日午後8時23分PST Of course, many standard varieties and universal favorites are available, but many Japanese pizza chains offer flavor and topping combinations that, while may appear to weird as some, are considered fan favorites. Further spicing things up is a Japanese fondness for using regional and seasonal ingredients for limited time goods–a trend pizza delivery chain Aoki’s Pizza (a local pizza…

Super clingy cat refuses to let go of owner’s arm in heartwarming video. Fair or foul, cats don’t exactly benefit from a stereotype or reputation for affection. Fortunately, true cat lovers who’ve been through thick and thin with their furry friends are no stranger to knowing the quirky ways with which cats can show their feelings (which often manifests itself as adorable stubbornness and curiosity). Japanese Twitter user and cat owner Kanekirika (@Kirika_ma_cos) doesn’t seem to need to put up with such antics, however. Their incredibly clingy and affectionate cat, Yamada, has a very overt-way of show his love for his human as she simply refuses to let go of…

This cat belongs on a movie poster. Cats don’t exactly have a fine reputation for cooperating, especially with bossy humans telling them how to pose, but every once in a while their feline grace matches in perfect harmony with lighting and surroundings for photographs that have us convinced they’ve been plotting such modeling all along. Japanese Twitter user Hitsuji (@blaueschafe) captured what may be the ultimate example of that with this snapshot of their beloved cat while getting ready to hit the road on a drive. Source: @blaueschafe Hitsuji comments that it looks like album artwork, and while it would certainly make a fitting one, we think the epic sunset…

Japan’s stunning natural scenes make for a breathtaking spring every year, whichever part of the country you’re in. But it seems Nara is aiming for the title of most magical place as these idyllic scenes look straight out of a painting or storybook. The photos captured the imagination of Twitter users when uploaded by photographer, @v0_0v______mk. Source: v0_0v______mk Nara is famous for the free roaming deer around the town. They can be seen attempting to enter shops and even halting traffic by just chilling out in the middle of the road. It’s easily accessible from Kyoto and other main cities making it a popular choice for tourists to visit. Spring…

Today, April 4th, as Tokyo experienced its first natsubi (夏日 literally “summer day”) when temperatures reach 25 degrees Celsius, many people began entertaining thoughts of summer and summer activities. In Japan, one of the traditional ways of staying cool is to send chills down your spine by listening to kaidan (怪談 “horror stories”) about ghosts and yokai, supernatural monsters, spirits and demons from Japanese folklore. For fans of all things scary in Japan, the usual summer slew of activities is getting an early start with a special exhibition, one of the highlights of which is a rare chance to see the last taxidermy specimen known to exist in Japan of…

You could kill a lot of time browsing through cost-effective DIY arts and crafts projects on Japanese social media, with resorts varying between therapeutic and mind-blowing with creations such as functioning steampunk wristwatches and $3 rusty knives turned into high quality Japanese blades. A Tweet by Japanese jewelery and accessory maker @puchuco709, however, has put the spotlight on a recent trend of turning otherwise boring aluminum foil balls into shiny spheres of treasure in a process that just watching is enough to relieve some stress. アルミホイル（16m）を丸めて叩いて、球にしました。 pic.twitter.com/XA9nbWsacH — アトリエpuchuco (@puchuco709) 2018年3月1日 After some curious responses, @puchuco709 explained that they crafted the glossy orb by taking a 16 meter (52 feet)…

The Japanese dog breed Shiba Inu has captured the hearts of many fans all over the world, some of them becoming top Instagram influencers and inspiring a tonne of shibe inspired goods. There’s even a cafe in Japan where you can frolic with some of these adorable puppers. The latest viral hit is this black shiba inu who doesn’t bark or growl like you might expect, but sounds like he’s speaking a human language. The video was uploaded by Twitter user @sunshine_SGW. The caption says ‘I don’t really understand dog language…’ 犬語はちょっと分からないですね…… pic.twitter.com/Vl8sN5cyez — 佐川 (@sunshine_SGW) 27 March 2018 Despite not really knowing what the dog is getting at, the…

In recent years, an abundance of talented Japanese artists have begun to share their work on Twitter, to the appreciation of many. Whether it’s mind-blowing 3D art, dark and deep thought-provoking illustrations, or animals transformed with fantasy-inspired anthropomorphism, there seems to be no end of new styles and artwork to discover. イラストボードやキャンバスにアクリルとガッシュで描いてます。美しいカワイイを伝えるのが目標。5月に個展やりますのでお願いだから来て#私の作品もっと沢山の人に広がれ祭り pic.twitter.com/og4orqm8Ez — 撫子凛 (@nadeshicorin) 2018年3月10日 Born in Chiba prefecture, illustrator and graphic designer Nadesico Rin’s style focuses on more traditional aspects of Japanese art and culture. On her official website, she cites a love for Japanese art and culture, the aesthetic of which has raised her and led her to the focus of her artwork. The primary focus…

One of Japan’s favorite traditional snacks, and a popular item among foreign tourists, taiyaki are hot cakes made with pancake or waffle batter, grilled in a fish-shaped mold and filled with an 餡 (sweet red bean paste). According to one theory, since the tai 鯛　(Japanese red sea bream) is considered a lucky fish (the sound “tai” is contained within the word medetai, meaning “auspicious”), it was chosen as the shape of the cake and popularized in the Meiji Period. Source: ykokamoto / © PIXTA There have been many variations of taiyaki in recent years. For example, the Pokemon Company saw an opportunity and created a limited-time Magikarp taiyaki. The taiyaki…

Japanese social media channels can be an adventurous source for DIY projects, whether it be revealing a $3 rusty knife to be a high quality piece of Japanese cutlery or turning Thomas the Tank Engine into a Mad Max-esque apocalyptic death machine. Japanese Twitter user and DIY tinkerer @FRISK_P, however, stands out for not only crafting their gear with an incredibly cool and detailed steampunk aesthetic, but also complete functionality! While FRISK_P creates a variety of marvelous contraptions bring the world of science fiction and steampunk to life, it’s the artist’s take on out-of-this-world working wrist watches that is turning heads everywhere. #私の作品もっと沢山の人に広がれ祭り 他の人が作らないような腕時計を作ったりします。 pic.twitter.com/yb3qyMhmMa — フリスクP (@FRISK_P) 2018年3月9日 With…

There might not be a friendlier subject to artists than animals. With their adorable charm and fascinating quirks, they can provide a creative inspiration for everything from giant creatures that console people in trying times, to super-realistic and creepy masks. Japanese illustrator Tobihachi (@tonbippo08), however, seems to find the expressive nature and striking aesthetic of animals as a point of interest, specializing in giving them human characteristics and even nationalities in an ongoing series of brilliant artwork. Source: @tonbippo08 As an illustrator, Tobihachi focuses on animals and anthropomorphism. It’s a little different from the gijinka we have looked at before (where Japanese Kit Kat flavors were turned into handsome anime…

In an agricultural area of Japan, economic losses due to animals damaging crops was rising at an alarming rate. So farmers did the sensible thing and recruited a Super Monster Wolf robot to keep the animals at bay. The city of Kisarazu in Chiba prefecture reported that economic losses had more than quadrupled in four years, from 5 million yen in 2012 to 22 million in 2016. The overwhelming culprit was wild boars. It seemed that these arrogant, modern day wild boars had grown impervious to traditional methods, and these Chiba farmers had to step their scarecrow game up. The result is a collaboration between Hokkaido University, Tokyo University of…