AU Hikari is a broadband service for subscribers in Japan including internet (yeah, 1GBps), tv, and digital phone. Their most recent commercial uses a Rube Goldberg machine to highlight the “power of optics”. Rube Goldberg machines are referred to in Japanese as a Pythagoras Device or sometimes by the eponym “Pythagoras Switch” (named after the popular […]
Au Hikari Power of Optics Commercial and Making Read More »
The NFL Game Pass is still the best way to legally watch NFL games from Japan. It is only available to people living outside the US, costs 27,415 yen, and lets you watch on computers and devices as well. If paying nearly 300 US dollars to watch the NFL seems a bit steep, it might
Watch NFL from Japan on NFL Game Pass 2014 Read More »
Momotaro aka The Peach Boy is a very well known Japanese folktale. It’s most often depicted with cute characters, although the story itself is an action packed battle starring Momotaro and the monkey, pheasant, and dog he befriends in his travels. Pepsi Japan has picked up the story and began releasing a series of commercials
Pepsi Japan’s Impressive Momotaro (Peach Boy) Pepsi Nex Ad Campaign Read More »
I was perusing through some of the recently added tv shows on Hulu the other day (I have Hulu Plus so I can watch on my devices), and noticed that some live action Japanese tv shows have been added for (I believe) the first time. They seem to be shows also available on the “DramaFever”
More Japanese Shows on Hulu Including Dramas and AKB48 Read More »
One of Hayao Miyazai’s most beloved films, “Kiki’s Delivery service” is set to be released as a live action film in March of 2014. The original animated version was released in Japan in 1989, and then dubbed and released in the US by Disney in 1997. It is, simply put, the story of a young
Kiki’s Delivery Service Live Action Version Coming Read More »
In sad news today, popular Japanese comedian “Yakkun Sakurazuka” (real name Yasuo Saito) who is famous for dressing in girl’s high school uniforms mimicking the Japanese film archetype of the badass, bullying high school girl. He studied Cinema at Nihon University, and has appeared as both a regular and a guest on several TV shows,
Yakkun Sakurazuka Killed in Accident Read More »
Erana Brewerton, a respected Maori scholar on a cultural program visiting Hokkaido was denied entry to a hot spring in Hokkaido that prohibits tattoos. Brewerton is a celebrated scholar in New Zealand and has a traditional tattoo on her face. Many hot springs have policies prohibiting tattoos but in many cases are not enforced unless
Maori Scholar Denied Entry to Hokkaido Hot Spring Because of Traditional Facial Tattoo Read More »
A weekly staple for fans of the Japanese comedy team Downtown, and their friends is set to come to an end. The gang on Lincoln will be calling it quits. The show started up in October of 2005 and will be finishing a successful run on Tuesday, September 10th. Mimura from “Summers” posted a message
Japanese Variety Show “Lincoln” to End Read More »
I am pretty happy to see Salvage Mice on Netflix. The US gets far too great a share of Japanese horror and gore and far too few of these fun little flix with a bit of comedy and heart. Granted, it’s still a “girls in high school uniforms fighting” kind of show, but it uses
Salvage Mice Review – Japanese Film Available on Netflix Read More »
TLC has decided to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the song “Waterfalls” by teaming with Japanese pop star Namie Amuro for a version which (in a slight bit of controversy) removes the rapping of the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. (Although Left Eye’s estate will benefit from royalties due to her writer’s credit on the
Namie Amuro Team Up With TLC for Waterfalls Anniversary Read More »
Just in time for summer and following in the footsteps of Pepsi drinks intended to be both great thirstquenchers for hot and humid Japan, Pepsi has released it’s latest and most delicious sounding flavor so far. Salty Watermelon Salty Watermelon Pepsi is scheduled to go on sale in Japan starting July 24th for the suggested
Salty Watermelon Pepsi Japan’s Newest Limited Time Flavor Read More »
If you’ve been to Japan and walked through one of the drinking districts or shopping districts or malls or most any place with a good amount of foot traffic, you may have been tempted to slip inside and drop a few hundred yen into a video game. The popularity of public arcades lives on in
Japanese Video Game Arcade Documentary “100 Yen” Coming Soon Read More »