Halloween Bentos From Japan!

To celebrate Halloween, we have collected Halloween Bentos from around the web!

Bento boxes are akin to brown bagged lunches as in they supply food for us to carry around during our day.
The similarities end there however.

Bentos boxes are typically compartmentalized to divide the food in individual parts (no food touching for anyone who hates that!)

The main goal is to make the food as pretty looking as you can using the foods you eat everyday. It is a great idea to make daily lunches more exciting!
You can find anime characters, animals, and much more shaped and designed foods in a Bento box.

Japan puts a whole new spin on playing with your food with these artistic lunches.

Enjoy!

Scary Bento- Nori skulls, pumpkin carrot, slugs made out of ? and much more create this scary Bento lunch!
Source



Rice ghost, cute pumpkins!! Source



Nightmare Before Christmas Inspired- Jack Skellington, King of Halloweentown!
Source




Adorable Witch Bento!
Source Via YumSugar



Black Cat Bento- Nori, Edamade eyes, salmon nose! Yumm!
Source



The detail in this final Bento is amazing!! Nori is used to make a bat and a witch hat, an egg is used for the moon, blue dye for a sky, a marshmallow ghost and much more create this edible scene! Source





Have a fun and safe Halloween from everyone at Rinkya!


[Japan][halloween bento]
[bento box]

Shrimp, Mayo, Crab, Oh My- Newest Pizza News from Japan!

The latest wacky pizza from Japan is the masterpiece shown above. Similar to the double roll (the crust made from rolls with oozing cheese)

They have replaced the cheese in the peel off rolls with shrimp and mayonnaise.

One half of the pizza is crab and mayonnaise, the other half is called "Demigura King", which we unfortunately cannot find a description of!

Our staff is refusing to review this pizza, they are too scared to try it!
For the Review the Staff Did do on the Original Double Roll...


Product Page

Pizza Hut Japan Favorites Pizza


[Japan][pizza reviews]
[pizza hut]

OLIVIA Guitar Charity Auction Begins!

The much anticipated charity auction for OLIVIA's signed custom Roswell Rhoads Jackson guitar can be found HERE!

Bidding ends JP time November 5th, so get your bids in!

All auction proceeds will be used to create a special fund for the purpose of benefiting aspiring Asian and Asian-American artists.

Foreign bidders can use Rinkya to view and bid on the auction.

There is no minimum bid, and Rinkya will be charging NO fees to bid on the auction.

Worldwide shipping is available and will be paid by the buyer, mailing insurance required, PayPal or check accepted up to ten days after auction closes.

For more on Pacific Media Expo (PMX) and OLIVIA, please read here



[Japan][OLIVIA][PMX][pacific media expo][JPOP]

No More Heroes Bonus Wii Japan

No More Heroes debuts for Wii in Japan on December 6th. Preorder the game and you get an exclusive gift! No More Heroes uses the Wii remote as your Beam Katana.

Order via Rinkya

Link via GoNintendo



[Japan][wii]
[nintendo]

Japan Brings Sexy Back

Japan enjoys the ladies, as seen by the Bikini Golf Tee, now they have a talking darts game to be enjoyed as well. The blonde bombshell is perfect for bachelor parties and frat houses!




[Japan][darts]
[sexy darts]

Afro Samurai Anime!

In a switch from the usual Japan has everything before us- the anime Afro Samurai will debut in Japan screens come this month (we already got it here in US- ha!).

GONZO animation studio created the series based on a doujinshi by Takashi Okazaki.
Voice Actors include Kelly Hu (XMEN 2) and Samuel L. Jackson as Afro and Ninja Ninja.
The anime is available from Amazon and I Tunes, in case you missed it on Adult Swim.

For Afro Samurai Doujishi on YJ, Search here
Enjoy Rinkya's Doujinshi Sale Pricing on Any You Buy!



Via TokyoMango



[Japan]
[anime]
[samuel l. jackson][afro samurai]

Portable Toilet Fits in Your Car- Ewww!

For those of you who have not been to Japan- Japan has amazing toilets. I know I could discuss Mount Fuji, temples, on-sens, (perhaps another day) but I am amazed at the toilets.

They have toilets that are heated when you sit down for those cold and rainy days, self cleaning toilets, toilets with sinks on top, etc etc. Anything you can want in the comfort of your bathroom, I can almost guarantee Japan has it!

Now Kaneko Sangyo Co. has created a toilet, that grosses me out a bit. The Kaneko Sangyo portable toilet- Kurumarukun- is for your car, complete with curtain to conceal the fact that you are going pee- in- your- car!

Assembly included- cardboard toilet bowl, water absorbent sheets, curtain, and plastic bag (to get rid of your pee and poo)

Let's hope we do not start seeing lots of "curtains" in cars come this November in Japan.
Save these for emergencies, or camping. Not a traffic delay.


Goes on sale November 15th, 4725 yen.


FarEastGizmos


[Japan]
[japan gadgets]
[toilets]

The Crime Fighting Vending Machine!

Aya Tsukioka, fashion designer, has developed clothing meant for disguise and protection for women in Japan.

Pictured above is a skirt that turns into a vending machine to cover yourself if being followed or fear danger. Sounds a bit ridiculous, but perhaps if lined up amongst other vending machines would work. Unless, of course you want a Coke, then things get confusing.

Other camouflage designs include a purse that looks like a manhole cover and a red postal mailbox.

Via Portable Gadget & Age


[Japan]
[japan gadgets]
[fashion design]

Ridiculously Expensive Pen Arrives in Tokyo

Switzerland luxury design writing instrument company, Caran d’Ache, will sell only 10 of these pens to the world.

Here it is shown in Tokyo, the pen is adorned with diamonds and rubies and is 18K gold. The price stands at 20 million yen (approximately $174,000 USD)

Caran d'Ache was given the Guinness World Record for most expensive pen in 2001, for an even more expensive pen, that sold for $265,000.

Via

[Japan]
[Guinness World Record]
[luxury]

New Kewpies Available!

Visit Applaudir for the newest Kewpies available for preorder now!
For one week only, FREE commission and 500 yen shipping for all you can order each one is only 600 yen! Rinkya Stores Form

Popular characters from Sesame Street, Gatchaman, Astroboy, Lum are available and many more!

Kewpie is a very popular doll in Japan, the doll originated in the US and has a resurgence of popularity in Japan.
In Japan they use the original face of the Kewpie doll and the body depicts popular characters. Cell phone straps, dolls and many more items are available.

The story of the Kewpie is very similar to that of another popular collector's item, Blythe Doll. Blythe, originally created in the US, found popularity again in Japan and all over the world. Perhaps, Kewpie is the next big thing, too!

[Japan]
[kewpie]
[blythe doll]

Elvis & AfroMan Clean Your Keyboard

I love how Japan turns ordinary everyday things into fun little objects.

These brushes (lift the enormous hair off their heads) clean your keyboards!

Order via Rinkya Stores via product page


[Japan]
[computer gadgets]
[elvis]

Halloween Costumes From Japan!

These wacky costumes are unique to Japan, pick some up today through Rinkya Stores for a unique Halloween!


Octopus Balls Hat
These yummy treats can be found all over Japan!


Fish Head



Radish Feet




Eggplant Man (you can scare small children)




For some more daring Halloween costumes, check out these underwear posts:
Add Some Sparkle
Enlarge Your Banana

[Japan]
[halloween costumes][ japan exclusives]

New Final Fantasy Game Coming to Wii!

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is coming to Wii.
Releases March 2008 in Japan on Wii wear download for 1500 Wii points.
Hopefully will hit Stateside at some point!


Final Fantasy Posts:
Final Fantasy Anniversary Soda
Final Fantasy PSP Anniversary Bundle
Final Fantasy Potion

YJ Links:
Final Fantasy


Via Famitsu


[Japan]
[final fantasy VII][ japan exclusives]
[PSP]
[Playstation Portable System][final fantasy potion]

Cat & Dog Lovers Mouse Pad!

Japanese spoil their pets rotten and showcase their love for animals all over their homes as well!
This mouse pad with a classic paw print is also comfortable and wrist friendly! Avoid carpel tunnel and announce you are a pet lover all at once.

Check out the Cat Shop for more cat items to decorate your home!



Check out the animal accessories available on YJ:

Kimonos
Hats
Bandanas
Jackets
Large Dogs


[Japan]
[pet clothes][dog clothes][japan wacky]

Japan Makes Poop Fun!!

Japan has an endearing love for poop. Recently, a Japanese scientist developed vanilla flavoring and scent from cow dung.

This love for poop also extends to the holidays and Halloween is no exception with some of the costumes below.

How else do you get a point across but to hammer someone's head with fake poo?




The translation for this item states, when normal finger pointing is not enough...



Perhaps, the most realistic of the bunch, with flies attached is the poop hat!




This poop hat makes up for lack of realism with its' enormous size



And finally I suggest this costume as the poo's counterpart to clean up after all the mess:



Unfortunately, all these items (with the exception of the Toilet paper costume) are Sold out at Rakuten ( I was not exaggerating Japan's love of unko!)
But if you want any, email us and we will look for them!
Our Rinkya Stores department will look up any item for you!

More Poo Stories:
Deer Unchi Candy
Little Poops From Japan


[Japan]
[unchi]
[Poop]

Newest Wii Accessory Gets Japan Release Date!

The Wii Balance Board debuts in Japan on December 1st for 8800 yen.

The Balance Board measures the changes in your body movement so that you can control the game on screen.

The Balance Board is packaged with "Wii Fit", games include football, Wii Yoga and hula hooping!

No US date yet, but you can get any Japan item through Rinkya if you cannot wait for the other release dates!!

Bid on Nintendo Products Now:
Nintendo

Wii Blog Posts:
Wii Fighting Stick
Wii Accessory Exclusives From Japan
Nintendo DS Lite Pokemon Edition


[Japan]
[nintendo wii]


Via

Japanese Teen Wins Rubik Championship!

The 25th Rubik's World Speedcubing Championship took place this weekend in Budapest Hungary, which is home to the creator of Rubik's Cube, Erno Rubik, who handed out prizes at the event.

Yu Nakajima, 16, won the event- solving the Rubik's Cube 5 times with an average time of 12.46 seconds.

Other events included using just your toes to solve the puzzle, wearing a blindfold and using larger Rubik's Cubes.

Japan may have lost the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest but have redeemed themselves with Rubik's Cube!

Time


[Japan][rubik's cube]

Ponyo On A Cliff Miyazaki Update!

Ponyo On A Cliff's theme song will go on sale December 5th. Fujioka Fujimaki (famous duo Takaaki Fujiaoka and Naoya Fujimaki and Nozomi Ohashi (only 8 years old!)

A preview of the song will be played during the October 14th Radio Ghibli airing. We will let you know if we can get a clip!

Miyazaki's latest film is slated for Summer release.

Please visit YJ for your Favorite Studio Ghibli Items:

Studio Ghibli

Blog Posts of Interest:
Studio Ghibli New Trailer
Ponyo On A Cliff
Miyazaki Films


Via GhibliWorld


[Japan][Iblard Jikan][miyazaki]
[studio ghibli][Whisper of the Heart][ponyo on a cliff]
[Ioue Naohisa]

Japanese Scientist Creates Vanilla From Poop!

Mayu Yamamoto received the 2007 Ig Nobel Prize at Harvard University for her work with cow dung.

Yamamoto found a way to extract vanilla odor and flavoring from cow poop!

I wonder if this will be bottled in the future?

The Ig Nobel Prize was developed by the Annals of Improbable Research humor magazine. The awards are for genuine achievements- but ones that often have a humorous, outrageous and/or unexpected result.

Want more Poop Stories From Japan? Read:
Deer Unchi Candy
Little Poops From Japan


Link Via TokyoMango

[Japan]
[nobel prize]
[Poop]

Japan Adds Sparkle to Your UnderPants!

Love drought? Turn on these faucets!!

Japan has added more wacky underwear Halloween costumes to their collection!

The faucet man panties come in the colors shown here, plus Gold, Silver, Blue Sparkle and Yellow and Black Plain!

Order through Rinkya Stores for a unique and hilarious Halloween costume!

Read here for more in funny underpants from Japan!


[Japan]
[halloween costumes][ japan exclusives]

Win Japan Superstar Olivia's Custom Guitar Charity Auction on Rinkya!

As part of Rinkya's ongoing commitment to bringing the culture of Japan to the rest of the world, Rinkya will be the international home base for the auction of Japanese superstar Olivia's custom Roswell Rhoads Jackson guitar beginning October 28.

The charity auction takes place on Yahoo Japan in partnership with Pacific Media Expo which will be held November 9-11 (Veteran's Day Weekend) at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

All auction proceeds will be used to create a special fund for the purpose of benefiting aspiring Asian and Asian-American artists.

Foreign bidders can use Rinkya to view and bid on the auction.

There is no minimum bid, and Rinkya will be charging NO fees to bid on the auction.

Worldwide shipping is available and will be paid by the buyer, mailing insurance required, PayPal or check accepted up to ten days after auction closes.

For more on Pacific Media Expo (PMX) and OLIVIA, please read here

Bid on OLIVIA items on YJ


[Japan][OLIVIA][PMX][pacific media expo][JPOP]

Check out Blogs On Japan!

I am still without my computer, but in the meantime, take a look at Blogs On Japan's Interview with me located here!

Thank you to Blogs On Japan for the interview!