Japanese Balloonist Sets Out To Defeat His Own Record!

Michio Kanda left Japan yesterday on his hot air balloon to begin a 60 hour journey crossing the Pacific to North America.

He is attempting to beat his own world record of longest time in the air, originally 50 hours and 38 minutes. If Kanda succeeds he will also break the record for longest distance, previously held by Virgin executive Richard Branson.

Good Luck to Michio Kanda, who also claims this is his last hot air balloon adventure!

Via


[Japan][world records]

DragonBall Movie Casts Granpa Gohan!

Randall Duk Kim has been casted in the role of Granpa Gohan. You may remember Randall Duk Kim from The Matrix Reloaded as the Key Maker.

For Dragon Ball on YJ


Via



[Japan][dragon ball]
[anime]

X Japan Reunion Concert Sold Out!

The much anticipated reunion concert of X Japan sold out through pre sales before the official sale dates began.

The X Japan reunion concert is March 28th and March 30th at Tokyo Dome.

Due to the unexpected sell out of pre sale tickets, they are looking for ways to increase seating and will auction off premiere seats where part of the proceeds will go to charity.

As soon as these premier tickets of this rare concert go on sale, we will announce on Rinkya!

The band's newest song, I.V. can be heard during the movie Saw 4, although it is not included on the soundtrack.
I.V. did top I-Tunes daily charts, making X Japan the first Asian artist to do so!


On February 29th, they will release a DVD Box set- "X JAPAN RETURNS" available for preorder here! Order via Rinkya Stores today to get your hands on the DVD release!

X Japan on YJ
X Japan Online Stores
X Japan on Rakuten

Via

[Japan]
[x japan]
[jpop]
[j rock]

Japanese Manga Writer Wins Guinness World Record

Shotaro Ishinomori posthumously received the Guinness World Record for most comics published by one author.

Ishinomori wrote Cyborg 009, Secret Task Force Goranger (1st Super Sentai series), Skull Man and worked with Osamu Tezuka on Astro Boy. Skull Man eventually became the popular anime Kamen Rider.

Ishinomori Shotaro Complete Comic Works is being sold in 12 sets of 41 or 42 volumes each. The final set is scheduled to be available this November.
Total amount of pages? 128,000

For these items on YJ:
Cyborg 009
Super Sentai
Kamen Rider
Astro Boy

Link via Anime News Network

[Japan]
[kamen rider]
[guinness world records][astro boy]
[Shotaro Ishinomori ]

New Be@rbricks- Ewok, Lost, Licca...

Licca doll gets a Be@rbrick outfit and the hit ABC show LOST gets their own Be@rbrick in 400% and 100%!



The adorable little Ewok from Star Wars, Wicket, comes in 400% and 100% size!



The beautiful lingerie store, Peach John, creates their own lingerie clad Be@rbrick.

A few more new releases are available here.
Order through Rinkya Stores and search for your rare favorites on YJ!



[Japan]
[bearbricks]
[ewok][licca]
[LOST]

Aibo Party in Japan!

Sony discontinued Aibos in 2006, but the love of the little robot dog still thrives.
On January 13th, Aibo fans and owners gathered for Aibo Party. They played games, tournaments, danced etc. The Sony Rolly also made an appearance alongside Aibo. For more pictures of the events, please read here.

Sony Aibo collectibles are still available on YJ:
Aibo On YJ




[Japan][sony aibo]

Happy Harbor & Squiggly Squirrel Blythe New Releases!

Two brand new Blythe designs go on sale Febuaray 22nd on Blythe website here
Only available to customers in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, so if you are outside that area and want any of the Blythes, order through Rinkya Stores!

Happy Harbor Neo Blythe is a limited edition, she has 4 eye colors that change depending upon where she looks, grey, light green, brown and light blue.
Price: 13,440yen (tax included)



Petite Blythe Squiggly Squirrel is so cute! She comes with both a dress and squirrel outfit!
Price: 2,625yen (tax included)




For Rare Blythe dolls and clothing, check out YJ auctions:
Blythe on YJ


[Japan][blythe doll][happy harbor][squiggly squirrel]

Check out Our Latest Offerings on eBay!

Only two days left on the items listed here

We have Super Dollfie items, animation cels, Sylvanian Families, Gothic Lolita, PSP 2 and much more!

Rinkya ships the items direct from Japan, begin bidding today!



[Japan][rinkya]

Rinkya Japan Stores Lowers Prices!

Rinkya announces reduced commissions on Japan store purchases!
Order from any online Japan website through Rinkya- commission is $8 base fee and $1 per 1000 yen thereafter.
Handling fees vary per store and are a minimum of $5.00.

To search the Rinkys Store Database, please search here

To place an order, please fill out the form here:


Shop Amazon JP for 15% off all Playstation 2 Games now!


Thank you for using Rinkya!


[Japan][rinkya]

Dragonball Live Movie Exclusive Pictures!

Hoy Cinema has posted some photos and interviews from the upcoming film, Dragon Ball.

The live action film will star Justin Chatwin as Goku; James Marsters as Piccolo, Emmy Rossum will play Chi Chi, and Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi.

Akira Toriyama's manga was turned into the popular anime series Dragon Ball. After success in Japan, it was brought to the United States where it gained a huge following on the Cartoon Network.
The movie is based on the King Piccolo Saga, a 21 episode anime production.

Visit Hoy Cinema for the exclusive pictures taken in Mexico during shooting/practice.

For Dragon Ball on YJ

Via



[Japan][dragon ball]
[anime]

Wonder Festival 2008 Transformers Exclusive!

**UPDATED** Bid on YJ for this item NOW!

Winter Wonder Festival 2008 takes place in Tokyo, Japan on February 28th and with it comes exclusive collectibles sold in a limited quantity.

A collector's paradise, but since it is only in Japan, makes it much harder for folks in the US and Europe to get some of these collectibles.

YJ sellers place them on YJ, so be sure to check out Yahoo the first week of March and bid through Rinkya.

One of the releases will be a Transformers Movie Arcee G1 Color Edition. The Takara/Tomy Booth will sell 1000 pieces.

As more exclusive collectibles are announced, we will let you know here on the blog and add links to YJ!

Via Tformers




[Japan][transformers]
[wonder festival]

Anounce Your Baby's Arrival With a Bag of Rice!

A growing trend in Japan to announce a baby's birth is to order a bag of rice the same weight as the baby.

A picture of the beautiful new baby will also adorn the bag of rice!

The rice is available here!

Via



[Japan][japan trends]

Coming of Age Day 2008!

Yesterday in Japan, thousands of 20 year olds celebrated Coming Of Age Day (Seijin no hi).
20 is the age of "adulthood" in Japan and is the age in which they can legally drink, smoke and vote.
Many celebrations take place across Japan during this National Holiday and many young people dress in traditional kimonos.

Japan has one of the world's oldest population and very low birth rate, the number of people who reached adulthood was the lowest on record at 1.35 million.

Kimonos and More Traditional Wears on YJ

Image Via India Times



[Japan][coming of age day][Japan culture]

Many Weird Japanese Cat Costumes!

I have had alot of pet posts lately (I just got a puppy, so maybe that's why) but when I saw these cats in costume, I had to add another post!

For the Harry Potter Fan...



Salary Man Cats...


If you wanted a dog you should have gotten a dog costume...


Fill In Your Own Title, hahaha


This poor cat is done with the costumes and has the look of terror...


All Costumes and MANY more available here, Order Via Rinkya Stores

Hello Kitty-fy Your Cat
Funny Dog Toys


[Japan][cat costumes]

Amphibious Taxi Debuts In Osaka!

No, it is not a sinking car, it is an amphibious sightseeing taxi!

Friday will be the first day of tours on the Dotonbori River via an amphibious taxi, the first in Japan. A demo run took place yesterday. The taxi carries 3 passengers and a tour will cost 19,560 yen for an hour.

A unique way to see Osaka for travelers to Japan!

Via



[Japan][travel][osaka][amphibious taxi]

Japan Design Studio Lamps!

These awesome lamps, winner of a 2006 good design award are from Japanese design studio Rezon.

The lamps not only provide light, but are beautiful pieces of art. With the light off, they set one scene, with the light on, a completely different scene is shown.

I love the zebra one with the light off!

You can order direct from Rinkya Stores via the Product Page!

Get an original design piece from Japan for your home!

More Original Design Posts from Japan:
Sandwich Chair
Ice Cream Lamps
Hamburger Stools



[Japan][design from japan][Rezon]

Speed Racer Car At Detroit Auto Show!

The live action film, Speed Racer, will be released May 9th and Mach 5 will make an appearance at the Detroit Auto Show.
The show takes place January 19 to January 21 at the COBO Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Speed Racer on YJ

Via


[Japan]
[mach go go go][speed racer][detroit auto show]

Funny Dog Toys From Japan!

If you are sick of just hearing squeaking when your dogs play with their toys, get a laugh with these original dog toys from Japan!



They work similar to a pacifier and will hold long enough to take some funny pictures of your dogs!!







Check out the animal accessories available on YJ:

Kimonos
Hats
Bandanas
Jackets
Large Dogs


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

Lucky Bags on YJ!

It is that time a year again for Fukubukuro!

Lucky bags are an awesome New Year's specialty in Japan. They average 50-75% less than retail price and are filled with a mixture of goodies from the company. Fashion designers, computers, etc all partake in Lucky Bags.

Here are some of your favorite Japanese designers on YJ with Fukubukuro:
Angelic Pretty
Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
h. Naoto
Metamorphose

Search all Fukubukuro here!

Even Starbucks has a fukubukuro!


Apple Lucky Bag Post

[Japan]
[fukubukuro][lucky bags][new year's]

Celebrate Year of the Rat- Mickey Mouse & BAPE!

2008 is the Year of the Rat and BAPE & Disney have joined to give you Mickey Mouse in the classic BAPE Camo to celebrate!

Order direct from Japan from Cliff's Edge via Rinkya Stores.

If Mickey Mouse and BAPE do not catch your eye, check out YJ for more BAPE and Mickey Mouse collectibles!

BAPE on YJ
Mickey Mouse on YJ




[Japan]
[bape][mickey mouse][disney]

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year from all of us at Rinkya!

Thank you to our readers and Rinkya users and we will be back tomorrow with more posts on Japan!