Ordinances Banning ‘Smartphone Zombies’ Coming to Japan
At crowded public places in Japan, you are likely to see signs warning against aruki sumaho. Translated as “texting while walking,” the postings warn pedestrians…
Smartphone
Most useful mobile applications when traveling or living in Japan
Traveling to Japan or living in Japan and looking for some good mobile apps and to make your trip/life easier? The mobile applications below can…
Manga artist discovers that his cat’s fur pattern is a readable barcode
KyuryuZ is an illustrator and artist who posts “original cat manga” on his Twitter account. Earlier this month, in a Tweet which has over 210,000…
Catch Em All With Bandai’s New Pokédex Smartphone Case
Now that Ash Ketchum has finally won a league and is no longer the biggest loser in anime history, it feels like Pokémon fans should…
Sony Introduces A Mini Wearable Personal Air Conditioner
Summer in Japan can be grueling, with a combination of heat and humidity often overwhelming the most seasoned travelers, with cases of heatstroke and dehydration…
New System Will Give Virtual Youtubers Full Body Motion Capture on Smartphones [Video]
There are already numerous platforms allowing anyone with a smartphone to create a virtual avatar and become a Virtual Youtuber. However, while some apps allow…
Idolmaster’s New AR Feature Lets You Take Interactive Anime Idol Girls With You…Everywhere
The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage, made by Cygames and Bandai Namco Studios for the Mobage mobile social network platform, is a free-to-play simulation game…
Made-to-Order “VR Boyfriend” Serves Up Coffee and Romance On Your Smartphone
While augmented reality and virtual reality features in apps based on existing anime or game character properties such as Neko Atsume VR or, more recently,…
Attention-Seeking Kittens Adorably Get In The Way When You Wear These Smartphone-Compatible Mittens
If you’ve been reading Grape Japan for a while, you’ll probably recognize Japanese online retailer Felissimo and their YOU + MORE series (a play on…
Give The Illusion Of A Lunchtime Mishap With Spilled Miso Soup Smartphone Stands
Not many office workers in Japan enjoy miso soup at their desk from an actual bowl, but they can still fool their colleagues into thinking…
Plastic Modeler Paints 100 Yen Smartphone Cases To Give Them A Weathered Metal Look
Even the most ordinary objects can be transformed into items worthy of a million bucks by the hands of talented craftsmen. Dollar store smartphone cases…
Chinese Company’s Sailor Moon Smartphone And Selfie Stick Are Must-Haves For Sailor Scouts Everywhere
The world may never again be graced with a new episode from the Sailor Moon series, but there’s definitely no shortage of Sailor Moon-themed goods…
Send Your Friend A Free Drink From Anywhere Behind This Digital Japanese Vending Machine
When it comes to lifestyle technology, Japan is known to take it one step further than other countries. This can often be seen on a…
Recognition App Hilariously Misidentifies Buddhist Statues Displayed Inside A Japanese Store
For better or for worse, smartphones are increasingly becoming tools essential to our day-to-day lives. New apps are being invented by the minute, and as…
Instructional Video Teaches How To Use Japanese Style Toilets And Washlets With Different Techniques
Toilets in Japan can be confusing and frustrating for some first time visiters. To avoid any…tragic happenings during your business, here are some simple instructions…