Crowdfunding started to revive Minobu’s only onsen and restore local tourism
Deep within the mountainous region of Yamanashi, a major Buddhist temple clings to the slopes of Mount Minobu. This temple, known as Kuon-ji – though…
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding project to save former Osakan brothel-building-turned-restaurant Tai Yoshi Hyakuban
Japan is a country full of architectural marvels and wonders. Whether you’re looking at a historic temple made using the kanawa-tsugi method (entirely free of…
Minimalist wallet and mini eco bag combo makes forgetting a bag a thing of the past
While eco bags remain a great way to help reduce plastic waste, in recent years designers have flexed their creative muscle into making their appeal…
Japan’s faceless lifelike cat plushie purrs in response to pets and acts as a heater
As many cat lovers will happily attest, there is no soothing energy that hits quite like that provided by a purring feline cuddling up on…
Japanese tomato farm and sake brewery cut food waste with tomato shiokōji using flawed produce
The Predicament of Yoda Farm Yoda Farm in Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, has devoted itself to tomatoes for half a century. Although they used to…
Crust Pilsner: a bread beer in Japan takes aim to battle food waste
“Crust” isn’t exactly the first word that leaps to mind when thinking of enjoying your next refreshing beer, but one company Japan hopes it can…
Panasonic Begins Crowdfunding for New “Weak Robot,” NICOBO
On February 16, Panasonic announced a new project in development, called NICOBO. NICOBO is a companion robot with a strong personality. It even talks and…
Blue ramen too! Instant noodle pioneer Marutai sells fashionable set of 5 stick ramen varieties
Japanese manufacturing company New World Co., Ltd. and Fukuoka-based instant noodle pioneers Marutai Co., Ltd., now celebrating their 60th anniversary, have teamed up for a…
Make a bold statement with this striking Zero Fighter Model 52 kimono
Maybe you’re a war history buff, or maybe you collect model planes and are particularly interested in the Pacific War. Maybe you’re into war simulation…
First online Hatsune Miku Expo set for 2021 reaches crowdfunding goal within 24 hours
The Hatsune Miku Expo is a yearly concert that takes place in different cities across the world. Aside from the virtual songstress that the expo…
Cat paw electric pocket warmers let you fight the cold and squish toe beans at the same time
There’s definitely a market for cat paw-shaped items in Japan. Whether it be bubbly 3D cat paw drinking glasses, cat paw socks that make it…
Vape like a famous Japanese courtesan heroine with a fancy Kiseru pipe E-Cigarette
As vaping and E-cigarettes continue to become more popular in Japan, more and more manufacturers are modeling their products after target=”_blank”>kiseru–traditional pipes used to smoke…
Convert Your Name To Kanji And Stamp It Your Way With Personalized Japanese Hanko Seals
Often used in lieu of signatures, hanko (personalized seals displaying one’s name) are a necessary means of identification to stamp official documents in everything from…
The Tanagokoro, an ultra-minimal wallet for a cashless society
For the ultimate in minimalism, consider the Tanogokoro, a sleek folding wallet that fits snugly into the palm of your hand. The wallet is the…
Art directors hope to recreate the gates of movie spectacular Rashomon
People have been bemoaning the state of the Japanese film industry for the last 40 years, so it’s a wonder to discover that the Japan…