Despite starting off as an April Fool’s stunt by Nestle Japan, Sushi Kit Kats became very real last year. Sadly these rare treats were only available for a limited time, and only at one location in Tokyo at the opening of the Kit Kat Chocolatory in Ginza. 本日4/1、#キットカット よりついに寿司味が新発売！ ”キットカット日本酒”との相性もばっちり。 築地直送の新鮮な美味しさをお楽しみください♪#エイプリルフール #AprilFool pic.twitter.com/8HvOpYhD2U — KIT KAT Japan (@KITKATJapan) 1 April 2016 This time around they are only available in Osaka to celebrate the opening of a Kit Kat Chocolatory inside Itami Osaka International Airport. Last year’s trio of maguro, uni and tamago will be reprising their roles in this line up too. All the Sushi Kit Kats are made with…

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…

Coca-Cola Japan is releasing frozen Coke slushie packs as a new summer beverage. Coca-Cola Japan has recently been adding to its lineup of beverages with some creative offerings including Coca-Cola Coffee and even an alcoholic variety. With inklings of an upcoming hot and humid summer starting to form, the beverage company has now released “Coca-Cola Frozen Lemon”, a frozen citrus blend of the popular cola sold in a squeezable slushie-style packaging. Coca-Cola Frozen Lemon Source: PR Times The drink is sold in both frozen and non-frozen varities (should you wish to take it home and freeze it to your liking), and comes in a squeezable packaging. Similar drinks are sold…

When we have to go outside to throw out the trash early in the morning, most of us don’t exactly try to make a fashion statement. However, one city government official in Kochi City seems to have been so careless about the way he looked that he skipped clothing altogether. Arrested for indecent exposure According to Kyodo News, on Monday, April 16th, a manager in the Property Policy Division of Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, was arrested for indecent exposure because he was walking in the streets entirely in the buff. Admitting to the charge, the man said that he was taking out the trash, adding: “it was too much trouble…

Fans of the successful and long-running Professor Layton adventure mystery game series by Level-5, anime enthusiasts, and fans of voice actress Hana Kanazawa, among others, who had been waiting with baited breath to see the first episode of the highly anticipated first TV anime based on the series, Layton Detective Agency: Katrielle’s Case File (TBD), were surely pleased when it first aired in Japan on Sunday, April 8th, on Fuji TV and other networks. Source: © Level-5 / Layton Mystery Detective Agency The anime, based on LEVEL-5’s Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy game that focuses on Katrielle “Kat” Layton, is being directed by Susumu Mitsunaka at Liden…

The wonderfully colorful and chaotic neighborhood of Akihabara is high on the list of must-see destinations for many Tokyo-bound tourists. Just as popular with shoppers seeking the latest electronic goods as it is with anime fans looking for manga, games, figurines and various goods, Akihabara never disappoints. When it comes to dining and drinking options, the neighborhood’s iconic maid cafes are a popular choice. However, true to its nature as a center for Japanese subculture, Akihabara also caters to a wide variety of more minor genres, with their own set of dining and drinking options which cater to their respective populations. If your hobby is competitive airsoft, known as “survival…

Charging cables are probably not among your most exciting possessions. In fact, you may go as far as saying they are completely dull. You also probably haven’t given much thought into decorating it either, but Studio Ghibli die-hard fans know that whatever you put a cute Ghibli character on instantly becomes several times more loveable, even the humble smartphone charger. Studio Ghibli Characters to Spirit Away Your Charging Cables These three cute charger covers not only jazz up your cable, but are also practical since they stop the cable from becoming disconnected by accident. Source: PR Times The characters available are the Cat Bus from My Neighbour Totoro, No-Face from…

Stunningly gorgeous photography of Kyoto shows why it remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Often celebrated as a popular tourist spot for its deep and thriving traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is home to many of Japan’s most famous and sacred attractions. What may be lost in all the clamor to explore popular areas, however, is just how naturally gorgeous Kyoto is. The must-visit Arashiyama bamboo grove is just one of many of natural wonders that Kyoto boasts on the best 30 places to visit in Japan, and at times simply taking in paths uncharted in Kyoto is an experience that tops rushing to any of the…

Although you’re most likely to see Japanese instruments such as the shamisen at a festival or traditional performance, their potential for adding a whole new dimension to modern day tunes shouldn’t be underestimated. Every so often, a clip involving a talented player taking on a well loved track with their traditional instrument will go viral, bringing the beauty and versatility of these instruments to the fore. For example, this trio giving a fresh take on Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson gave a whole new generation a reason to dust off the old koto. A Shamisen Final Fantasy Battle Theme Cover In this latest viral hit, a skilled player of the…

Cowboy Bebop is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Cowboy Bebop-themed cafe in Tokyo and Osaka next month! As fans of mega-popular anime series Cowboy Bebop await a U.S. live action television series with cautious optimism, they’ve been able to tide themselves over with a Blade Runner 2049 short helmed by series director Shinichiro Watanabe, and perhaps re-listening to Yoko Kanno’s celebrated soundtrack. As soon as May 15th, however, fans will be able to literally whet their appetite as they can join in on a celebration of Cowboy Bebop’s 20th anniversary with an official Cowboy Bebop Cafe opening in Tokyo and Osaka. Animate Cafe (an anime store cafe with character…

Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli creates worlds so beautiful that anyone would want a little piece of them in their home. For that reason, any new merchandise inspired by their stories captures the imagination of legions of Ghibli fans. Curling up with a cup of tea and watching a Studio Ghibli movie sounds like a perfect way to spend an evening, so now you can make it even better by drinking tea inspired by the stories themselves. Source: PR Times In a collaboration between Studio Ghibli merchandise purveyors Donguri Republic and luxury tea brand Lupicia, a set of teas in beautifully designed tins will be sold from 13th April 2018….

Laser-Etch Your Personal Kanji Monogram On A Crystal Sake Cup If you’re in Tokyo between now and the end of April, and if you enjoy sake, there’s a unique opportunity for you to sample excellent Niigata sakes and take home a beautiful crystal sake cup personalized with a very stylized and modern kanji monogram. The event taking place on the Friday evenings of April 13th, 20th, and 27th celebrate the opening of a permanent shop for the Mashikaku project by design studio Ideasketch. Source: © At Press / © Ideasketch, Inc. The cup is a crystal version of the traditional square masu sake cup. Once you have chosen two kanji…

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…

Creative latte art has become a big trend in recent years, with coffees getting more and more Instagrammable as time goes on. It requires a lot of skill on the part of the barista and depending on their experience, you can get something quite spectacular that goes beyond the common heart and leaf designs. If you’re looking for something that doubles as a beverage and a piece of art, you’ve plenty of options already in Tokyo coffee shops, ranging from 3D kitty cats to your actual own face staring back at you from the foam. But for something that just screams aesthetic it’s got to be the Rainbow Latte from…

An “AI candidate” for mayor in Tokyo is promising fair and balanced politics in a news story out of a science fiction novel. Whether it’s samurai robots, a hotel staffed by robots, or AI girlfriends, it seems that it safe to say that one should keep their eye on Japan when it comes to developments in the field of artificial intelligence. So while it seemed a foregone conclusion that AI would eventually break into the world of politics, the way we’re seeing it do so in one city in Japan is a bit surprising. The mayoral election of Tama City in Tokyo is featuring its first “AI candidate”. このポスターを見ると松田みちひとという男性が不慮の事故で生死の縁をさまよう中、大企業の極秘プロジェクトの被検体に選ばれ意識をデータ化。プロジェクトの真の目的を知った彼は意識を女性型ロボットにインストールしラボから逃げ出した……って妄想が捗る。 pic.twitter.com/gSwOJMC9Rm…