New Products
Snow White poncho for rainy season
When preparing for the upcoming humid rainy season known as tsuyu (梅雨) in Japan, bookstore and oddity shop Village Vanguard might not seem like it's at the top of the list for supplies to stock up on, but their line up of fantasy-themed one piece dresses may actually have an offering for… Read
Father’s Day gifts for Studio Ghibli-loving dads
Japan’s Studio Ghibli merchandise wonderland Donguri Republic (Donguri Kyowakoku) have a massive range of goods to suit any occasion. Every year they recommend the perfect presents for various events and even sometimes release special items just for the occasion. This year for Mother’s Day, the store released a charming limited-edition gift… Read
Converse’s new Japan-exclusive sneakers made with actual cherry blossoms
When companies are marketing something that’s meant to be cool and fashionable, they usually want to have a cool, fashionable name for not just the product, but even its color. So I wasn’t all that surprised when I heard the names of sneakers that Converse came up with for its tie-up with… Read
Coca-Cola Japan kicks off first summer of Reiwa with Coca-Cola Clear Lime
Last summer, Coca-Cola Japan made its first foray into the clear beverage trend with Coca-Cola Clear. Now, for the first summer of the Reiwa Era, Coca-Cola is adding a refreshing citrus twist to that formula with Coca-Cola Clear Lime. Suggested Retail Price: 140 yen (excluding tax). Coca-Cola Clear Lime As in… Read
'Neon Genesis Evangelion' craft scissors
Mega-popular anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion" seems to have found an ally in professional Japanese blade makers. Just recently Evangelion's mecha designer teamed up with traditional Japanese sword makers for a Tokyo exhibit displaying original artwork and swords inspired by the series. Now Nikken Cutlery of Seki in Gifu Prefecture, a city famous for its… Read
How to stay cool in Japan this summer? With a mist-spraying Fanbrella
If you’ve been to Japan during summer, you’ll know how uncomfortably hot it can get, with temperatures often in the high 30s and humidity reaching stifling levels above 80 percent, making it hotter than summer in Death Valley. So it’s understandable when people say they like to hibernate indoors under the… Read
Miniature retro Showa Era fans become nostalgic delight in Japan
Although Japan has embraced the new Reiwa era, the appeal of the "golden days" atmosphere of the Show era doesn't seem to be going anywhere, as shown by the retro traditional Japanese coffee house menu at Starbucks and the increasing number of Showa-style pubs. Now the art division of Japanese toy maker Takara… Read
Krispy Kreme Japan taps superfoods for new line of doughnuts
If your last doughnut binge left you feeling guilty, Krispy Kreme Japan are releasing a line of doughnuts with a slightly healthier image. In an attempt to appeal to the health conscious, Krispy Kreme have utilised various nutritious ingredients and super foods to create the "Good-Day, Good-Doughnuts" line-up. Three new… Read
New KitKats combine mint, peach and rum for a summertime taste sensation
Every summer, Japan goes through a mint chocolate boom, with everything from biscuits to ice creams and even sweet bean fish cakes packed with the cooling sensation of peppermint. This year, Nestlé Japan is joining the trend with two new premium KitKat varieties that switch things up by adding fruit and alcohol to the minty mix. So how… Read
Pokemon ice creams
Hot on the heels of the latest Pokemon movie, where Pikachu and fellow Pocket Monsters made their controversial furry-body debuts, the world is now gearing up to see what "Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" has in store for us, as the first Japan-made feature-length Pokemon film created entirely in computer graphics. This CG reboot of… Read
