Dean & DeLuca may have closed their stores in the U.S. (save for a few remaining independently owned franchise branches), but the upscale grocer is still going strong in Japan. Like any good expat that really finds their stride after making the move overseas, Dean & DeLuca Japan adapts to the… Read
Kamimata Tatami Sangyo, a tatami shop in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, that promotes tatami culture, has launched an online shopping site that sells upcycled products such as mini tatami mats with a deodorizing effect made from materials recycled from used tea leaves. The mini tatami (from 2,000 yen) is 22… Read
For many anime fans, there comes a bittersweet stage in their life when they can no longer cover each and every wall of their living space in posters of their favorite animated works. Maybe you’ve gained a romantic partner or other housemates who aren’t down with such a heavily otaku-accented… Read
There are many souvenirs vying for your attention in Japan, but right now the one that’s stealing the limelight is a hand cream packaged in a giant, fish-shaped soy sauce bottle. Called “Lunch Charm Hand Cream” — the name conveys the manufacturer’s desire to “make your lunch charming” — this new product takes… Read
Need some help keeping that toxic coworker away from you? How about a boost for your love life? If so, you may want to check out Japanese brand Oisesan‘s range of products that function as both bringers of positive outcomes and air fresheners. If you don’t want to spring for a whole… Read
Starbucks has been treating us to a series of limited-edition drinks for the holiday season, and now the chain is giving us one “final gift” for the year, in the form of the Matcha Classic Green Tea Latte. This beverage is a new take on the popular Hojicha & Classic Tea Latte, which was added to the… Read
When Studio Ghibli fans want to unwind and relax, they might put on a Ghibli movie, but now there’s a way to make that activity even more relaxing, with a cup of Totoro tea. There are two original blends to choose from, each packaged in a gorgeous can featuring Totoro in… Read
Hakuhodo and Takara Tomy have jointly developed a new version of the popular board game The Game of Life, called 100-Year Life Game. The new version aims to allow players to experience a "happy 100-year life" and increase their ability to focus on happy events in life (happiness attention). Unlike… Read
In recent years, Studio Ghibli has been expanding its series of diorama goods, which bring movie characters and their settings to life in product form. The latest addition to the range is a beautiful “Diorama Hourglass” duo that adds a sense of passing time to the scene with the use of sand timers. The “My… Read
Japan has very pronounced seasonal weather swings, and we’re about to head into the part of the year where we can regularly expect temperatures in the “Hahaha no, I’m not setting foot outside my house unless I absolutely have to” range. With cold weather and shortened sunlight hours in the forecast… Read