This article by Yulia Mizushima first appeared on Tokyo Cheapo. Takeshita-dori pic by beibaoke / Shutterstock.com When I first moved to Tokyo, I was living on ¥1,000 a day while renting half ...

Japan has been reeling the last few days in the wake of the Sasebo schoolgirl murder in which 15-year-old Aiwa Matsuo was killed by an unnamed classmate, possibly helped by a friend. The victim was ...

Mitsukoshi Isetan have teamed up with fashion brand minä perhonen (despite the name, not actually Finnish) to offer a new take on a classic item of modern Japanese convenience. Isetan is ...

Motion Figure System MF201 is a 25cm-tall slender doll-like robot figure system that its makers claim is a "world-first motion figure system". The slim and silent mini robot has been created by ...

It garnered headlines worldwide and made a fringe figure the talk of the town. The arrest of Megumi Igarashi (Rokudenshi-ko) on July 12th ostensibly for "distributing obscene materials" after she ...

Shibuya is like a hydra. Just when you think you have it sussed, along comes yet another shopping arcade or mall to confuse you. Earlier this year Tokyu opened the Shibuya Chikamichi Lounge ...

It got quite a bit of attention when Japan's largest crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, launched its own website (with theme song and videos) earlier this year, not least because the design is less ...

Fancy having Namie Amuro on your cup? If you recall, Koppu no Fuchiko (literally "Fuchiko on the edge of the cup") was originally a Gachapon capsule toy created by Kitan Club. The mini mini Office ...

Bandai's Tamagotchi is one of those series that just continues to survive -- and not only survive, but keep on innovating and coming up with new tricks. Tamagotchi probably needs no introduction ...

The sad truth is that sometimes Japanese consumers are a simple bunch, at least in the eyes of the ad men. Forget complex marketing strategies or clever stunts. The way to their hearts is just to put ...

Intergalactic bonsai! Just when you thought there couldn't be any more innovations on past traditions, along comes something that makes your jaw drop. Makoto Azuma, known for his eye-catching ...

Two things Japan is famous for just came crashing together big time: idols and robots. AKB48's fans have become notorious for spending vast amounts of time and money on merchandise and tributes to ...

Here is a documentary called Emoji Among Us, now available on Dissolve. This short documentary (more like a trailer for a documentary) declares that emoji have become infused in our lives and ...

Heading to the beach this summer? Of course, you'll need a beach ball. But does your beach ball light up? No. This one does, though. The Green House Beach Ball Inflatable Waterproof LED Solar ...

After first appearing in 2011 and proving a massive success in both 2012 and in 2013, the spectacular Eco Edo Nihonbashi Art Aquarium 2014 is back. Exploiting Japan's love of the decorative and the ...