Metamo Bunny Figure Pre-Order!

Haruhi Suzumiya Metamo Bunny Figure Pre-order- the newest figure changes color based on temperture- white to black.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is both a popular light anime novel and anime series in Japan.

Pre-Order with Rinkya Stores!

Search YJ for your favorite items!
Melancholy of Haruhi Susumiya


[Japan][melancholy of haruhi suzumiya][metamo bunny]
[anime]

Sumo Wrestlers Make Babies Cry!

This past weekend the annual Baby-cry Sumo took place at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo.

Sumo wrestlers hold babies and whichever baby cries the loudest wins.

The contest is thought to bring good health to the babies.


For more Japan Festivals, read our past blog posts:
Cherry Blossom Festival
Tagata Jinja- Harvest Festival
Girl's Day


Sumo on YJ



[Japan][japan festivals][sumo wrestling]
[Baby-cry Sumo]

Glowing Squid USB Drive from Japan!

The newest in Japan USBs is the Glowing Squid, complete with food packaging!

Review our other USB Posts:


Humping Dog USB
Gifts for a Techie

Wonderful World of Disney USBs

The Wacky, Weird & Fun USB Drives from Japan

Available here
And Then Order the laughs from Rinkya Stores


[USB Drives][Japan]
[Disney][Jump Drives]
[Thumb Drives][Computer]

The Great Shisas of Japan!

Shisas, also known as Seasers, are protectors and guardians used in Japan to ward off evil and ensure good luck.

Godzilla fans may remember the King Shisa monster from Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, awakened in Okinawa to help Godzilla defeat Mechagodzilla!

Shisas look like a cross between a lion and a dog and while they are meant to be strong guardians, many are adorable figures!

Seen above are just some of the varieties that can be found- and yes it IS japan, so Hello Kitty Shisas do exist!

Before the Edo Period, the Shisas were primarily kept at temples and shrines.
During the Edo Period and continued until this day seasers can be found on the rooftops and entryways of private homes in Japan.

The legend of the Shisa began in Okinawa- where today the guardian dogs can be seen on street corners, at the airport and many Okinawans make a living by designing and sculpting unique Shisas.

They sell in amounts anywhere from 500 yen (approx $5 USD) to 5950000 yen (approx $50,000 USD).

One legend of the Seasers states that- One Seasar has his mouth open, the other shut, So good luck can come in and not leave!

Protect your home and ensure good luck and view the unique Seasars on YJ or purchase through Rinkya Stores from the exclusive ones sold only in Japan here.

YJ Links of Interest:

Edo Period
Godzilla
Hello Kitty

Read about Japan's other good luck charm- Unko (poop)!!

More Info on the Legend




[Japan][shisa][seaser][edo period]
[godzilla][japan legends][guardian dogs][hello kitty]

Gizmo & Mohawk Limited Edition Gremlins Dolls!

The two foes from one of the greatest 80s movies, The Gremlins, get new figures from Jun Planning (only available in Japan).
Dolls come complete with little furballs!

Available for Pre-Order from BuyRinkya! Reserve them today!

Check out YJ for Rare Gremlins Collectibles!



[Japan][the gremlins][gizmo][mohawk]

Tomy Creates Nike Transformer!

This awesome robot is made from plastic Nike shoes and turns into the Transformer you see above.

The complete name of the new item is Transformers Sports Label Convoy featuring Nike Free 7.0 (Convoy for short, thank goodness)
Convoy is better known in the US as Optimus Prime.

The robot goes on sale today in Japan ONLY!


Via

Nike on YJ
Transformers on YJ


[Japan][optimus prime]
[nike]
[transfomer][nike convoy]
[robots]

L'Arc~en~Ciel New Single Release- Seventh Heaven!

L'Arc~en~Ciel will release a new single May 30th- Seventh Heaven, coinciding with their Summer Tour- Light My Fire Again!

Pre-order the new single from Rinkya Stores

Visiting Japan this summer? Pick up L'Arc~en~Ciel Concert Tickets on YJ via Rinkya!


L'Arc~en~Ciel is one of Japan's most famous J-Rock/J-Pop bands and has fans around the globe.

Check out YJ for rare singles, albums and Hyde's solo cds
L'Arc~en~Ciel


Via Official Band Website

Like JPOP and JROCK? Check out more info here:
JROCK Revolution Festival
Gackt

[Japan]
[jpop]
[japan concert tickets][L'Arc~en~Ciel]
[Jrock]

Hello Kitty Banana Sack!

Hello Kitty has adorned a multiple of items (many discussed here on our blog)-- pretty much if it exists, there is a Hello Kitty version of it somewhere in Japan.

I guess we have now run out of things to place her image on, so Sanrio has created a Banana Holder. I could be wrong, perhaps a banana holder is a common household item. I just thought the peel's job was to keep the banana fresh...

Visit the product page for pages of Hello Kitty Items, order any through Rinkya!


Product Page

Look for More Hello Kitty Items Here:
Hello Kitty On YJ

Check out our other Hello Kitty Posts:
Hello Kitty Car
Ayumi Hamasaki and Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty Wedding
Hello Kitty Laptop/Ipod


[Hello Kitty][Japan]
[banana sack]

New Be@rbricks Drop- 400% Jack Sparrow!

New Be@rbricks were released today including one commemorating the return of Pirates of the Caribbean to the screen for - At The World's End, the third installment in the Pirates trilogy.


Other Be@rbricks include: X Large- designed by David Flores, the Hawaiian inspired Leilow, Ham, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and to join in on the funky USB drives from Japan- Memory Stick Be@rbricks!!

Find on YJ:

Be@rbricks
Kubricks
Pirates of the Caribbean

Previous Posts:

SpiderMan Kubricks
Wacky USB Drives From Japan


Visit Be@rbricks for more pics!


[Japan][pirates of the caribbean][Wacky Weird Japan][pirates 3k]
[at the world's end][be@rbricks][kubricks][usb drives]

Blythe Momolita Ultimate Tour Dolls Now on YJ!

The long awaited release of the Momolita Blythe collaboration first posted about here has finally reached YJ!!

Dolls were sold by lottery and then by exclusive small numbers at Toys R US in Japan and online.

Pick yours up on YJ today through Rinkya!

Find Limited Edition Neo & Petite Blythe "Ultimate Tour" collaboration with Momolita
CLICK HERE and HERE


[blythe doll][Japan]
[blythe ultimate tour]
[momolita blythe]
[momolita]

Calling All Artists for Tokyo Anime Fair!

Tokyo Anime Fair 2008 is calling all artists from around the world to design next year's Fair Mascot.

There are no age or nationality restrictions, so anyone from 9 years old to living in Australia can participate.

The chosen winner receives 200,000 yen and for any foreign winners, they will be paid the amount using the exchange rate of winning day.

The period for accepting entries begins May 1st and must be received by June 29th.

Good Luck to all participants!

Images above are the mascots from 2005-2007!

For complete rules please click here (Page in Japanese)

Source

Search your favorite Anime on Rinkya!
All Anime


[anime][Japan]
[tokyo international anime fair]
[anime contest]

Ms. Pac-Man Joins the Ipod Video Game LineUp!

The ultimate video game heroine- Ms. Pac-Man celebrates her 25th anniversary by joining the line up of video games available on your Ipod!!!

Ms. Pac-Man joins other popular video games already on the Ipod- her counterpart Pac-Man, Tetris, Bejewled and much more.

Japan has many rare Pac-Man collectibles, consoles and much more!

Search on YJ for your favorites:
Pac-Man
Atari
Ipod Items
Namco
Video Games ALL


[Ms. Pac-Man][Japan]
[video games]
[atari][ipod][namco]

The New Bape Spring/Summer 2007 Catalog!!

Official Bape has released pictures of the newest catalog.

New roadstas, baby camos, watches and much more from Bathing Ape!


Find BAPE on YJ and bid through Rinkya:
Bathing Ape

Or order BAPE through Rinkya Stores!


Check out more BAPE posts here:

Bape City Camo Roadstas
Bape Matsuyama Exclusive
Bape Carhartt



[Bathing Ape][Japan]
[BAPE]
[japan fashion]
[nigo]

J-Rock Revolution Festival!

The first multi-artist JRock music festival to come to the US will launch May 25th in LA!

Yoshiki, of superstar fame X JAPAN, created the Japanese Rock Festival, as another way to bring new ears to JROCK and spreading the music all over the world.

Tickets go on sale April 21st through TicketMaster.


Check the festival MySpace HERE

Find all the bands slated to play on YJ and bid through Rinkya:
Alice 9
Kagrra
Miyavi
ViDoll
D'espairsRay
DuelJewel
Girugamesh
MUCC
Merry

Find X-Japan

All JROCK



[JROCK][X Japan]
[MUCC]
[JROCK Revolution Festival]
[Girugamesh][DuelJewel][D'espairsRay][vidoll][Kagrra][Alice 9]

Funeral Held for Fist of the North Star Character Raoh

An actual Buddhist funeral took place for the fictional anime character Raoh yesterday in Tokyo's Shingon Koyasan Tokyo Betsui.
3000 plus fans attended the event.
Raoh's voice actor, Takashi Ukaji performed the eulogy.

The funeral comes ten days before the release of the new movie: Fist of the North Star The Legend of Raoh: Fierce Fighting Arc (Hokuto no Ken - Raoh Gaiden Gekitô-he) where Kenshiro confronts Raoh.

Watch the Trailer here

Search for Fist of the North on YJ:
Fist of the North
All Anime

Image Source

[ Fist of the north star][Japan]
[Kenshiro]
[the legend of raoh]
[raoh]

A Hello Kitty Car...

I am kind of shocked Japan only made one of these!

The car is COMPLETELY pink, decorated with ribbon logos & Hello Kitty graphics and the headrests are shaped like Hello Kitty's head.

The car sold for approximately 18,000 USD and a portion of proceeds went to UNICEF.

Mitsubishi is the creator of this masterpiece or eyesore depending upon which side you err on.

Look for More Hello Kitty Items Here:
Hello Kitty On YJ


Pick Up Non-Pink Mitsubishi Items Here:
Mitsubishi

Check out our other Hello Kitty Posts:
Ayumi Hamasaki and Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty Wedding
Hello Kitty Laptop/Ipod
Hello Kitty Robot Receptionist
Most Expensive Hello Kitty?
Hello Kitty Contest Winner for Weirdest Item on YJ


Via GeekSugar

[Hello Kitty][Japan]
[Mitsubishi]

6400 Post It Notes, 10 people and 5 hours Equals.....

Donkey Kong and Mario scenes!

USCS Engineering students designed these scenes only using post it notes!

Check out YJ for your favorite Mario games and collectibles:
Super Mario Bros
Donkey Kong
Nintendo

Boing Boing Via SEO
Visit SEO for more photos!




Japan
Donkey Kong
Nintendo
Super Mario Brothers

Go Speed Racer!!

Christina Ricci is the latest star to sign on to the big screen adaption of Speed Racer. She will play the heroine Trixie- girlfriend to Speed Racer.

John Goodman, Susan Sarandon and Emile Hirsch are the other stars committed to the adaptation.
Speed Racer is from the original Japan anime series, Mach Go Go Go.
The movie has a release date of May 9, 2008.

Mach Go Go


Via

[Japan]
[anime][speed racer][mach go go go][john goodman]
[susan sarandon]
[emile hirsch][christina ricci]

Japan Drafts Laws to Prevent A Robot World Domination and Take Over!

To be more exact, Japan has proposed a: "Draft Guidelines to Secure the Safe Performance of Next Generation Robots" (I still think Preventing Robot Domination and World Take Over is more interesting!)

The draft consists of measure to record any injury towards humans and to make this information readily available.

With Japan's large elderly population and decreasing younger population, robot reliance for everyday activities are predicted to be increased in the coming years and robots to become a more integrated part of daily life.


For Safer, Collectible Robots, Find them on YJ:

Asimo
Beer Robots
Sony Aibos
Robots
Gundam
Transformers


Read our Past Robot Posts:
Hello Kitty Robot
Beer Helper Robot
Robot Butler
Wine Connoisseurs Robot
Musuem dedicated to Robots!



Source
Image Source

[Japan]
[Robots][Asimo][Aibos][Sony]

New Bape City Camo Roadstas!

These sneakers dropped recently in Japan as part of Bape's 14th anniversary celebration.

Get yours today through Rinkya Stores via
Other colors available!

Also look for RARE Bape items on YJ:
BAPE


[Japan]
[BAPE]
[Roadstas]

Deer Unchi (Poop) Candy!

.

I have previously discussed the fascination with unchi Japan appears to have in an earlier post here

During my trip to Japan, I noted these candies (choco drops) for sale at the Nara Park.

Nara park has hundreds of deer roaming around that can be petted and fed (no diseases to worry about in Japan)

Beware when feeding, I was bit multiple times and gave up, throwing the food away from me to get the deer off me!

Also beware of deer poop which can be found all over the park!
And as a way to always remember your experience at Nara park, feel free to buy the deer poop candies sold all over.

I did not purchase but took multiple pictures :)

Unchi is believed to bring unko (luck) to you!
Add some Unko to your life and get some Unchi sent direct to you Here.

[Japan]
[Nara park]
[Poop]

Super Paper Mario Wii Release!

The much anticipated Wii release of Super Paper Mario comes to the US today, but Japan will have to wait another ten days for the release. Finally- we get something before Japan does!

Nintendo Japan has released some exclusive video from the game on their Official Website.
Although the US version comes out sooner no website is available yet!

Look for More Nintendo Items on YJ and RARE exclusives direct from Japan:
Super Mario
Nintendo
Nintendo Wii


Source


Japan
Super Paper Mario
Nintendo Wii
Super Mario Brothers

SpiderMan Kubricks To Be Released!

A new Black SpiderMan (100%) and a 400% Spiderman will be released in May, just in time to celebrate SpiderMan 3's release.

Kubricks and Be@rbricks are popular Medicom Toys and highly sought after.
The Black Spiderman is sure to become a rare collectible.


Pick up your own Kubricks and Spiderman Collectibles on YJ:
Kubricks
SpiderMan


Spiderman
Kubricks
Japan
medicom

Gundam Goes Platinum!

The beauty posted above has an estimated value of 30 million yen (approx. $250,000 USD)

Bandai and Ginza Tanaka created the Mobile Suit Gundam from pure platinum.
Gundam Fix Platinum took two years to complete.

Although the item is currently not for sale, it can be seen at BASELWORLD 2007 in Switzerland and then will return to Japan.


To pick up your very own Gundam collectibles:
Gundam on YJ




Bandai Press Release
Via Pink Tentacle

[Japan]
[Gundam]
[Bandai]

Cherry Blossoms!!

Cherry Blossom Festival- Sakura Matsuri, began while I was in Japan and is a telltale sign of Spring bloom, renewal and beauty.

The parks are covered with large blue tarps filled with friends, family, beer and bbq.
Many wear traditional kimonos to the festivals.

The festival is also celebrated in Washington D.C.- the cherry blossoms a gift from Japan.

Get your own kimono direct from Japan on Rinkya!

Kimonos



[Japan]
[Sakura Matsuri]
[kimono]
[cherry blossom ]

Sorry for Lack of Updates!

I am back from Japan and in much need of some rest- the time change is difficult!
I have many pics from Japan and much to tell and will be back updating tomorrow!!