Kawaii May 27, 2016 11:06 am

Japanese Mascot Obsession


Kawaii May 27, 2016 11:06 am

Japanese Mascot Obsession


Japanese Mascot Obsession

Japan’s mascot craze has become fodder for comedians and late night TV hosts due to it’s bizarre charm. It’s definitely an “Only In Japan” aspect to their pop culture. Essentially, the concept of assigning mascots started with company advertising and that success prompted some areas of Japan to use them to promote tourism. Many regional...

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Japan’s mascot craze has become fodder for comedians and late night TV hosts due to it’s bizarre charm. It’s definitely an “Only In Japan” aspect to their pop culture. Essentially, the concept of assigning mascots started with company advertising and that success prompted some areas of Japan to use them to promote tourism. Many regional...

Read more



Customs and Culture May 22, 2015 10:12 am

Bizarre and Yummy Japanese Festival Food


Customs and Culture May 22, 2015 10:12 am

Bizarre and Yummy Japanese Festival Food


Bizarre & Yummy Japanese Festival Food

Japanese festival food varies from the familiar to the strange, but most of the offerings are delicious. Festivals are a seasonal event all over Japan and many take place at shrines. A whole assortment of tents featuring treats, carnival style games, and actives fill up the area. The games are popular with kids and usually...

Read more



Japanese festival food varies from the familiar to the strange, but most of the offerings are delicious. Festivals are a seasonal event all over Japan and many take place at shrines. A whole assortment of tents featuring treats, carnival style games, and actives fill up the area. The games are popular with kids and usually...

Read more



Akihabara May 4, 2015 1:12 pm

The Glory of Japanese Vending Machines


Akihabara May 4, 2015 1:12 pm

The Glory of Japanese Vending Machines


The Glory of Japanese Vending Machines

Japanese vending machines are known in much of the world and the bizarre ones have gained infamy in the social media age. The term for vending machines in Japanese is “jidouhanbaiki” (自動販売機). In a large city like Tokyo or in a smaller town like Hasami, vending machines are a normal feature and the reason why...

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Japanese vending machines are known in much of the world and the bizarre ones have gained infamy in the social media age. The term for vending machines in Japanese is “jidouhanbaiki” (自動販売機). In a large city like Tokyo or in a smaller town like Hasami, vending machines are a normal feature and the reason why...

Read more



Anime and Manga April 25, 2015 1:15 pm

What Is Up With Manga Genres?


Anime and Manga April 25, 2015 1:15 pm

What Is Up With Manga Genres?


What Is Up With Manga Genres

Manga (漫画) are Japanese comic books and they are widely read throughout Japan. The number of manga genres available is immense, which explains how diverse the audience is and why the medium maintains mass appeal. For example, on the subway in Tokyo you will find young, old, women, and men all reading comics intently. Sometimes...

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Manga (漫画) are Japanese comic books and they are widely read throughout Japan. The number of manga genres available is immense, which explains how diverse the audience is and why the medium maintains mass appeal. For example, on the subway in Tokyo you will find young, old, women, and men all reading comics intently. Sometimes...

Read more



J-Pop Boy Bands & Idol Groups Suck

Japan’s pop culture can sometimes draw a feeling of shock and awe from foreigners. We hear about vending machines that dispense used panties, boyfriend shaped pillows, and creepy humanoid robot receptionists. In truth, these are not examples of Japan’s pop culture, but instead an illustration of the bizarre undercurrent flowing beneath the mainstream. Japan’s pop...

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Japan’s pop culture can sometimes draw a feeling of shock and awe from foreigners. We hear about vending machines that dispense used panties, boyfriend shaped pillows, and creepy humanoid robot receptionists. In truth, these are not examples of Japan’s pop culture, but instead an illustration of the bizarre undercurrent flowing beneath the mainstream. Japan’s pop...

Read more



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