A geyser of crispy noodles, seeming to erupt out of the bowl, leaves customers in fits of laughter. The western region of Kanagawa Prefecture has brought us many surprises when it comes to restaurants: from a mountain of karaage fried chicken for your birthday to all-you-can-eat sashimi. Recently, whispers of a Chinese restaurant with a great atmosphere that’s frequently visited by celebrities reached the ears of our Japanese-language reporter Takuya Inaba. The word out on the street was that among its plentiful lineup of dishes there is a dish which makes everyone burst out into laughter upon seeing it. Perplexed about how such a thing could be possible, Takuya summoned up four of his friends and set out to investigate. The restaurant, Shikinjo, is located in the city of Hadano. From the closest rail stop, Hadano Station, it’s a 30-minute walk to the restaurant, but you can save yourself the steps with a roughly 10-minute bus ride from the Hadano Station Minamiguchi bus stop (located right outside the south exit of Hadano Station) to the Minamigaoka Higashi stop, which is just a block away from Shikinjo. Stepping into the restaurant, Takuya noticed it had a spacious dining area with plenty of tables and an interior that almost made him feel as if he had been teleported to China. Takuya and his friends arrived around 6:00 p.m., half an hour after the restaurant had opened, and customer were streaming in one after another; a testament to the place’s popularity. When the group opened up the menu, their eyes popped out of their sockets at the sheer number of dishes available to order: a whopping 194 items were listed on the menu, and all of them sounded delicious. With so much on offer, they decided to order whatever caught their eyes, with the first dish being fried stick gyoza dumplings, costing 748 yen (US$4.80). Each piece was pretty substantial, being around the same size as a spring roll and packed tightly with a meaty filling. They were absolutely fantastic. Naturally, this got them thinking, “What about the actual spring rolls?” These were similarly stuffed to the absolute limit with shrimp and crab, and were definitely well worth the 1,098 yen they cost. They also ordered the mapo tofu for 1,298 yen. The seasoning was spot on, making them crave rice from the bottom of their souls. The slowly building heat was utterly irresistible, and this is most certainly a must-order dish. Next they added the yurinchi (also known as “you lin ji”), Chinese-style fried chicken with a sweet and sour scallion sauce. The amount that was served up was well worth the 1,089 yen price tag, and was both juicy and full of flavor. Chatting a little with the staff, the group learned that the golden fried rice, for 1,012 yen, is also extremely popular, so they decided to get that too. They were introduced to an exquisite fried rice with perfectly loose grains that highlight the rich aroma of egg. Despite the simple seasoning, it was impossible to stop eating: a truly artisan-level dish. Having eaten so much, they were feeling completely stuffed. Takuya sat back feeling that he could probably squeeze in one more dish. He let his eyes roam over a menu posted on the wall, thinking to himself that a noodle dish could be nice…when suddenly a thought popped into his head: “Ah! I forgot the whole reason for coming here in the first place!” The purpose of the visit was the rumored dish that makes you laugh when you see it: the Gomoku Ankake Katayakisoba, priced at 1,408 yen. Just from the name, nothing screamed out that the noodles had comedic potential: “gomoku” being a mixture of minced vegetables, meat, and fish, “ankake” a food covered in a thick, starchy sauce, and “katayakisoba” crispy noodles. Eager to find out what was so humorous, Takuya placed the order, and after a while, what they brought out was… “What on earth is this?!” The entire group burst out into fits of laughter. “Is that… a fountain? Of noodles?” wondered Takuya as a gigantic bowl full of thick sauce was placed on the table, and in the center of that sauce were crispy noodles jutting upward just like a fountain. While every dish up to this point had been impressively large, this dish was on a different scale altogether. It was so huge that they just couldn’t help but laugh. When Takuya finally managed to calm himself enough to look at the dish calmly, he noticed that the amount served was easily enough for four to five people, which is simply amazing to think about when considering the price. All of the members of the group were pretty close to being full, but the seasoning was sublime, so they felt pretty confident that they’d be able to finish it. Even so, the portion was huge enough that Takuya was glad that he had invited his friends to join him. When they finally polished off the dish, they all looked at each and burst out into laughter again. Truly a dish that lives up to the rumors. The per-person final cost for the whole meal worked out to be about 1,300 yen, given that there were five of them, which meant that the taste, portion size, and value for money were all amazing. A visit to Shikinjo will leave you with a satisfied tongue and stomach and a relieved wallet, as well as a wide smile on your face. Restaurant information Shikinjo / 紫禁城 Address: Kanagawa-ken, Hadano-shi, Nishiodake 707-1 神奈川県秦野市西大竹707-1 Open 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Roppongi exhibition marks 30th anniversary of the Evangelion TV series’ premier, but celebrates the entire anime franchise. When there’s an Evangelion event announced, an immediate question that pops into the heads of fans is “Which Evangelion?” After all, there’s the original 1995 anime TV series, which has a trio of theatrical features lumped into its continuity, but there’s also the Rebuild of Evangelion, a retelling/reboot/arguable sequel movie tetralogy whose releases span the period from 2007 to 2021. So with an Evangelion exhibition going on right now in Tokyo, which Evangelion is being covered? All of it, which is why the event is called All of Evangelion. All of Evangelion is taking place at Tokyo City View, the 52nd floor observation deck of the Mori Building at the Roppongi Hills entertainment center. Visitors are greeted by a giant statue of Evangelion Unit-01, created specifically for this event, in the lobby, but that’s just the first of many awesome things to see. Inside the exhibition halls are what organizers say is the largest collection of Evangelion production materials to ever be displayed in a single place, with animation cels, pre-production design sketches, layout sheets, and storyboards from across the franchise’s animation history. There are even treats for the ears of Eva fans, as they can listen to preserved audio clips of the voice cast’s audition performances prior to being cast in what would become some of the biggest roles of their careers. 30周年記念展「ALL OF EVANGELION」＼#東京シティビュー にて本日開幕／フォトスポットには、本展のために制作されたエヴァンゲリオン初号機フィギュアが登場日没後は東京会場限定の照明演出も東京会場のチケット詳細はこちらから https://t.co/ZksY0i7ice… pic.twitter.com/vpW9rplUYP— 30周年記念展 「ALL OF EVANGELION」 (@ao_eva30exhibit) November 14, 2025 There is, naturally, also a merchandise corner offering exclusive items such as mini acrylic standees, pins, and magnets. And with Tokyo City View also having a cafe, there are a number of special Evangelion-themed menu items on offer during the exhibition. The exhibition kicked off on November 14, with celebrity fan Nicole Fujita (whose name was hopefully spelled correctly), pictured at the top of this article, in attendance for the opening ceremony. Among the Eva luminaries who’ve stopped by are Megumi Ogata, voice of protagonist Shinji, and Evangelion opening theme singer Yoko Takahashi. Good Morning!It's fine@TOKYO.【本日〜】#オールエヴァ展 開催　&#エヴァ #序 上映サインと付箋貼りました。ぜひ【上映中】#呪術廻戦【前売発売中】オリジナル朗読劇「Little Women〜母と私たちの生存競争について」#母わたhttps://t.co/u4oxC6dTx3【Pick UP】12/21開催LIVE禊 https://t.co/ZTRk3aBbir pic.twitter.com/xNRkQCoc7D— 緒方恵美 (@Megumi_Ogata) November 14, 2025 今日は展覧会「ALL OF EVANGELION」 にお招きいただき、ひと足先に会場へ一言では語れない30年の歩みが私の胸に突き刺さり、また感動したりと大忙しな幸せ時間でした！明日からスタートです！是非皆様お越しくださいませ#高橋洋子 #evangelion #エヴァンゲリオン #残酷な天使のテーゼ pic.twitter.com/If6pTHbl9t— 高橋洋子official (@yoko_t_official) November 13, 2025 Adult admission is priced at 2,400 yen (US$16) at the door, but there’s a 200-yen discount if you purchase your ticket online ahead of time, which can be done here. 『エヴァンゲリオン』シリーズ30周年記念展「ALL OF EVANGELION」#オールエヴァ展いよいよ明日より六本木ヒルズ森タワー #東京シティビュー にて開催！ぜひお越しください！チケットなど詳細はこちらでご確認ください！https://t.co/t2SK45xLrQ#エヴァンゲリオン #EVANGELION… https://t.co/b32WcE71d3 pic.twitter.com/dM7My55QRH— エヴァンゲリオン公式 (@evangelion_co) November 13, 2025 All of Evangelion runs until January 12. Related: All of Evangelion official website Source: PR Times (1, 2) Top image: PR Times Insert images: All of Evangelion, PR Times, All of Evangelion (2, 3, 4) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

It’s not Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka that has it, though. Once upon a time, vendors would periodically wheel carts down the aisles of the Shinkansen, offering food and drinks for travelers to enjoy during their ride on Japan’s famed bullet trains. Sadly that came to an end in the fall of 2023, with operator Japan Railways citing decreased demand as the reason for discontinuing the service on all but first-class carriages. The reason demand was dropping, JR said, was that more and more travelers were instead opting to grab something to drink or eat within the station itself, prior to boarding. However, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or on a tight schedule, you probably don’t want to have to spend time and effort wandering through the building, especially if the shops and restaurants are far away from the spot where you need to get on your train, which is why Starbucks Japan is opening its first-ever branch right on a Shinkansen platform. Rather than Tokyo, it’s Yokohama that’s getting this pioneering shop, which is located inside Shin Yokohama Station, the first stop on the Tokkaido Shinkansen Line heading westward after leaving Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station. The takeout-only branch, opening November 21, stands on Platform 11, from where westbound Shinkansen trains depart, and is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. With speedy service being especially important, the Shinkansen platform Starbucks has a condensed menu, but still offers coffee made from freshly ground beans, with three hot (Pike Place Roast, Decaf House Blend, and Sumatra) and two iced (Decaf House Blend, Kenya) varieties to choose from, as well as cookies and other light fare. Ordering is done through a touch panel and payment is by cashless methods only. ▼ The bilingual order panel’s start screen While this is the first Shinkansen platform Starbucks, the concept render at the top of this article implies that it probably won’t be the last. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for refreshments for eastbound Shinkansen journeys, we recently discovered a delicious ice cream hack in Kyoto Station. Source, images: Starbucks Japan ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Relax and unwind inside this aesthetically pleasing haven.  When planning a trip to Japan, lots of people turn to social media for information on sites to see and things to do. This means that sometimes, underrated sites like libraries have found themselves becoming must-visit spots after going viral on social media, and if you’re looking to be inspired by an aesthetically pleasing space where you can unwind with a book, then Nasu Shiobara City Library Miruru in Tochigi Prefecture ought to be on your radar. ▼ Opened in September 2020, the library was designed by Mari Ito, an architect born in Tochigi Prefecture. Located right by Kuroiso Station, the building is renowned in the architectural world, having received multiple accolades such as the Marronnier Architecture Award, the Japan Construction Industry Federation’s BCS Award, and the Good Design Award. ▼ With a high rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps, the library is much loved by visitors. You’ll feel the weight of the world lift off your shoulders as soon as you step inside the bright, warm and welcoming space. With high ceilings, glass walls all around, and a large corridor called “Miruru Ave.” running through the middle of the building, this library is worlds away from the cramped and stuffy types you’ll find in other parts of the country. The building itself is truly beautiful, but the greatest thing about Miruru is it’s an incredibly charming library, filled with creative design features, happy individuals, and reading spaces known as “forests”. Given its immense size, noise levels aren’t too much of an issue here, because when we visited, children from a local kindergarten were being shown around by staff who were pointing out the building’s features and the layout of the books, and although it made it feel lively, it didn’t seem noisy at all. Elderly people, who also looked to be local residents, were watching the young children with smiles on their faces, reminding us of the important role places like this play in local communities. At Miruru, a certain level of respectful noise is permitted in large areas and the second-floor “active learning space” designed for groups, but those looking for a quiet spot can make use of the “silent learning space”, also on the second floor. There are also study booths that can be reserved, and while the bright and open feel remains unchanged throughout the building, careful consideration has been given to balancing the quieter spaces with more lively ones so that people with all sorts of needs can comfortably use the library. There are plenty of benches and tables everywhere, and the design naturally invites you to pick up a book that catches your eye and then sit down and read it close by. ▼ The “Ehon no Mori” (“Picture Book Forest“) is particularly beautiful. You could easily spend an entire day here, and you won’t even have to pop out for sustenance as the cafe inside is fantastic. Called “Moricone“, the cafe is run by “Shinrin no Bokujo“(“Forest Ranch“) in Nasu, which sells dairy products made from Jersey cows. Nasu-Shiobara is the second largest producer of fresh milk in Japan so everything here is high quality. The Milk Jam Frappe (750 yen [US$4.80]), made with Nasu’s renowned milk, is highly recommended for its deliciously rich flavour and texture. With an onsite cafe, bright and spacious interiors, and photography and quiet chatting allowed, Miruru is like the library of the future. Just as a large tree stretches out, extending its branches to shield those who shelter beneath it, Miruru provides a quiet haven for the local community, bringing people together in a warm and welcoming environment. So next time you’re looking for an escape from the crowds, remember Miruru is waiting to greet you with open arms…and there are plenty of other places in the region waiting to be discovered too. Site information Nasushiobara City Library Miruru / 那須塩原市図書館 みるる Address: Tochigi-ken, Nasushiobara-shi, Honmachi 1-1 栃木県那須塩原市本町1-1 Open: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (Tues-Fri); 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Sat, Sun and public holidays) Closed: Every Monday (open on public holidays, closed the following weekday), special reorganisation period, 31 December-3 January Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Artist behind 22-year project takes to the skies one last time on real-world version of Hayao Miyazaki flying machine. You could get into a spirited debate as to whether Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind belongs in the fantasy or science fiction genre, but either way, the anime film from the artists who would soon after form Studio Ghibli is set in a world of fiction. That gave director Hayao Miyazaki unbridled freedom not only in designing the characters and creatures that appear in the movie, but the vehicles too, and with his love of aircraft, that meant imaginative creations like Nausicaa’s glider, alternatively called the mehve or mowe, depending on the translation you’re going by. In 2003, though, 19 years after Nausicaa premiered in Japanese theaters, Kazuhiko Hachiya decided to try to bring the glider from the anime world to the real world. Hachiya, who describes himself as a media artist, didn’t want to just make a replica model, either. His goal was to create an actual working mehve that a single pilot could take into the skies, while still looking and being operated like Miyazaki’s version. This was no easy task. While Miyazaki’s interest in aeronautics regularly influences his artwork, he’s still an animator first and foremost, so his aircraft looking cool ultimately takes precedence over real-world functional feasibility. Early on in Hachiya’s OpenSky Project, which he dubbed the development process, he had to settle for short, downhill hops like the one shown in this test conducted in 2006. But Hachiya kept at it, with his efforts culminating in the M-02, a jet engine-powered glider which the pilot rides strapped face-down to the machine, shifting their weight in the harness to change pitch and roll in order to turn, climb, or dive. The M-02 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometers (55.9 miles) per hour and an altitude of roughly 100 meters. It’s equally impressive to otaku and engineers, but the excitement of seeing the M-02 in flight at the Sora Matsuri air show in Noda, Chiba Prefecture, last Sunday was mixed with a bittersweet emotion, as it marked the final flight for the real-world Nausicaa glider. ▼ The last flight of the M-02 After 22 years, the 59-year-old Hachiya says it’s time for him to pass on the project to younger engineers and pilots, along with the knowledge he’s gained from the two decades-plus he’s been chasing this dream. Online reactions to the glider’s last flight have been filled with admiration for both Hachiya’s vision and his courage. “That looks awesome, but I don’t have the guts to hang on the outside of something that’s flying 100 meters up in the air.” “It’s got to be crazy scary to fly like this without any kind of cockpit.” “Even since I was a kid, I’ve wanted there to be something like the mehve, and it makes me so happy that he did this.” “It’s so inspiring seeing it lift off from the ground.” “The video shot from above the glider makes it look just like it does in the anime.” “He even landed in a field of gold!” “It’d be like a dream come true if they put this on display in the Ghibli museum.” As for exactly why Hachiya has decided his M-02 flying days are done, age is likely a factor, as it’s clearly physically demanding to pilot the thing. The machine is also likely designed and calibrated specifically for his body size and weight and can’t be safely operated by anyone else without modifications, which could be why the November 16 flight in Noda was designated as its final flight. Thankfully, the M-02 isn’t going to be demolished, and the current plan is to keep it intact for display purposes, with its engine left functional as well. Source: Asahi Shimbun, YouTube/朝日新聞 Images: Studio Ghibli ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Chuo Rapid Line’s first-class cars are extra fancy this month. Earlier this year, East Japan Railway Company. AKA JR East, added Green Cars to Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line. The cars themselves keep the same orange-striped silver color as the other carriages on the Chuo Rapid Line, though, since Green Cars are what JR calls its premium cars, essentially the trains’ first-class section. Unlike standard commuter train cars on the Chuo Rapid Line, with their bench seats and overhead straps for standing passengers to hang on to, the Green Car has plush, individual seats with fold-out trays and pouches in which to store your personal items during your ride. It’s definitely a more comfortable way to get around Tokyo, and this month things are getting extra fancy inside select Chuo Rapid Line Green Cars, because they’re hosting live musical performances. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November, among the trains’ Green Car passengers will be a pair of professional musicians, performing a medley of songs on the flute, violin, acoustic guitar, clarinet, harp, saxophone, mandolin, and viola. While the instruments are primarily classical, the songs they play aren’t limited to traditional orchestral pieces, as some of the concerts have included music from the anime films of Studio Ghibli. The performances are held in the first-floor seating area of Car 5, with the performers sitting on both sides of the aisle in the middle rows. This leaves 30 seats for other passengers/audience members. The performances will be held on one round-trip train per day on Saturdays and Sundays, with the train departing Toyoda Station at 1:41 p.m. and heading towards Tokyo Station, and then running the same route in reverse by leaving Tokyo Station at 2:42 p.m. The musical performance itself takes place during the middle portion of the route, between Tachikawa and Shinjuku Stations. That means you could, theoretically, enjoy the complete concert by only riding for that part of the route, which is about 40 minutes. However, Green Car seats on the Chuo Rapid Line are unreserved (i.e. a Green Car ticketholder can claim any unoccupied seat), so if you want to make sure of getting a seat on the first floor of Car 5, getting on at Tokyo or Toyoda Station is the safest plan. Source: JR East via Traicy, Twitter/@atsushi_akechi Top image: JR East Insert images: SoraNews24, JR East ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Derelict brothel gets a new lease on life, opening the doors to its unchanged interiors and attracting a new type of visitor.  Walk around any neighbourhood in Japan and you’ll find nods to the distant past in the form of temples, shrines, and sometimes, abandoned “girou” or “brothels“. Usually located in former “yukaku” (red-light districts), these brothels fell into disuse after World War II, when the Allied military abolished licensed prostitution, bringing about an end to the pleasure districts. Now, they stand as a relic of times past, like hidden ruins of an ancient city, but in the central district of Atami City in Shizuoka Prefecture, one old building has found a new life as part of a special art project called Glound Atami. ▼ The art event gives you the opportunity to step inside a former brothel that went by the name “Tsutaya“. After arriving at Atami Station and going down the slope to the southwest, you’ll come to a seaside area lined with old buildings. This is the former “Itokawa Beri” red light district, although it’s written in Japanese on Google Maps as “Itokawa Former Special Drinking District“. ▼ The old brothel is located off the main road, in a quiet alley devoid of tourists. “Old Tsutaya”, as it’s now known, is said to be about 70 years old, and for the most part, it’s been left abandoned. So although it’s old and rickety in parts, it’s also like a time capsule, unchanged from its time as a brothel. ▼ If these tiles could talk, what stories they would tell. Normally, a place like this would be off-limits to the public, but we were able to step inside as we were visiting for the Glound Atami art project. Entry was free, and you could even take photos inside the unique space. After entering the building, though, something felt off and we couldn’t quite put our finger on it. ▼ It wasn’t the high wooden step in the genkan entrance where we left our shoes… ▼ It wasn’t the steep, dark wooden stairs… It was something about the vibe of the place, as it seemed much darker than what we’d imagined for a place that was once in the business of indulgence. It seemed moody and slightly depressing, and that’s when we were finally able to put our finger on it. The place was so tiny and cramped that it was difficult for any light to pass through. Having seen brothels in red light districts depicted in anime like Demon Slayer, we’d come to think of them as grand, sprawling places filled with rooms, endless corridors, and high ceilings, almost like a small community. Old Tsutaya, however, was the complete opposite – the entrance, hallways, stairs, bath, and rooms were all tightly squeezed together, evoking a feeling of oppression. We realised we’d been foolish to romanticise these places as lively institutions where people were able to buy and sell happiness. Anime isn’t always like reality, and here in Old Tsutaya, the reality was dark, cramped, and slightly broken. While the place was slightly unsettling, it was also strangely fascinating, with all the rooms on the second floor still displaying individual names. ▼ The “Ayame” (“Iris”) room ▼ In one corner of the building, a small washbasin had been set up against a stone wall, making us wonder what it was doing there. ▼ For some reason, we got strange vibes in this area… ▼ … and the room at the very end, which was marked with stains and peeling paint. ▼ While some places were obviously in a grave state of disrepair, other places were surprising in their relative neatness. As we moved through the building, we couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the people who frequented these rooms and maybe even peered out from the windows. Ordinarily, a building like this would normally remain closed off to time and the curious public. However, the dark, moody vibe and chequered history makes it an ideal site for art exhibitions, especially the Glound Atami event, which has video installations cleverly set up in some of the unlit rooms. ▼ The relationship between the space and the artworks makes for a mysterious, thought-provoking experience. It’s intriguing to think that the seven small, individually named rooms on the second floor where physical relations once took place are now being used as art spaces. Though we visited on the last day of the pop-up gallery, Glound Atami is just one part of a larger project to revive Old Tsutaya. Ultimately, the goal is to gather unique stores in this building as a way of creating a new base to attract visitors. The Old Tsutaya revival project, to create a store tentatively named “Tsutaya General Store”, recently smashed the target amount on its crowdfunding page, so the dream of reviving the old building for a longer period is well and truly in the pipeline. With many more abandoned buildings standing vacant around Japan, creative initiatives like this may soon breathe new life into them, so their stories can continue to be told throughout the ages. Related: Glound Atami Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Dozens of rubber fixtures have suddenly gone missing from building’s toilet lids and seats. You have to be comfortable with a certain amount of uncertainty when stepping into a public restroom. Even if the cleaning staff is diligent in its duties, there’s no guarantee that someone who’s used the bathroom since the last sweep hasn’t dribbled onto the floor in front of the urinal, squirted soap onto the sink counter, or been too lazy to flush after doing their business. However, when a custodian recently went in to clean one of the restrooms at the OKB Fureai Kaikan event hall in Gifu City, the surprise waiting for them wasn’t gross, but baffling, as the rubber fixtures had been removed from a number of toilet lids and seats. ▼ Interior of the OKB Fureai Kaikan The discovery was made last Saturday afternoon at the building, which is administered by the Gifu prefectural government. A subsequent check of the other restrooms within the facility found that a total of 63 pieces of rubber were missing from 20 different toilets located in men’s and “multi-purpose” restrooms, the latter being a term used in Japan for non-gendered restrooms for use by elderly or handicapped people as well as parents with small children. Considering how rarely rubber fixtures fall out of toilets, and how it’s even less common for the fixtures to then disappear of their own accord, the incident is being treated as a theft, with a police report filed and plans to increase patrols of the building’s bathrooms by its security guards. As to why someone would want to snatch up a few dozen pieces of toilet rubber, that’s something that’s got online commenters scratching their heads. “Just what the heck is the thief planning to do with them?” “Someone out there has a purpose for 60 some-odd pieces of toilet rubber…” “He must know some way to convert them into cash.” “Is he going to try to scalp them?” “Is there a market for rubber?” “Who’d be enough of an idiot to buy used toilet rubber?” When infrastructure components get stolen, it’s often because thieves are after metals that can be sold off as scrap, such as manhole covers or copper wire. Rubber isn’t thought of as a material that’s quite as easy to flip for lucrative profit, but according to the building’s management, the 63 pieces of stolen rubber have a cumulative value of approximately 60,000 yen (US$400), though that brings us back to the question of whether anyone would be willing to buy used toilet parts. The investigation is ongoing and the suspect still at large, but there is at least something that should soften the blow for the victims a little bit. In the image below, you can see the exterior of the OKB Fureai Kaikan… …and right next door is a showroom for Toto… …Japan’s leading toilet maker, so it should be pretty easy for the building’s management to obtain the necessary replacement parts. Source: Melo Melo Meetele via Yahoo! Japan News via Hachima Kiko. Twitter Top image: Pakutaso (edited by SoraNews24) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Why should we go hunt for bargains when we’ve already got all we really need (fried chicken) right here? Japan has wholeheartedly embraced Christmas and Halloween, but the American custom of celebrating Thanksgiving in November isn’t really a thing here. You’d think that the lack of Thanksgiving, and its associated four-day weekend, would also mean there’s no Black Friday in Japan, and yet so-named sales and promotional events have become increasingly common in recent years. The trend started with online retailers, but it’s since spread to some brick-and-mortar shops and even convenience stores. What’s more, since Japan doesn’t have a common perception of Black Friday referring to the day after the locally non-existent Thanksgiving, Black Friday is treated much more like a season of bargains that stretches across half a month or so rather than a specific discount date. But without the mental trigger of “Thanksgiving is done so we’d better get started on the Christmas shopping,” Japanese shoppers don’t go as hog wild on their Black Friday purchases as their counterparts in the U.S. do. As a matter of fact, our crack reporter Mr. Sato was recently musing about how even though he’s been seeing Black Friday ads, he’s not really sure what the significance of the season is supposed to be. So he looked deep into his heart, trying to find the true meaning of Black Friday, and after ruminating on the topic from several different angles…he realized that “Friday” sounds just like “fry day,” and so he decided to make some Black Friday/Fry Day fried chicken. To do so, he turned to Japanese recipe website Cookpad, where he came across a recipe posted by Japan Food Service, the food services company that manages the site. The ingredient list is short: all you’ll need is chicken, a karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) breading and seasoning pack, cooking oil, and bamboo charcoal powder. Bamboo charcoal powder can be a little tricky to find, even in Japan, as not every supermarket carries it. Mr. Sato was lucky enough to find some at the grocery store closest to his home, but if yours doesn’t have it, you can purchase the same brand as Mr. Sato used online here. For the breading, he went with Karaagezukuri, a seasoning and breading pack from maker Nihon Shokken that’s pretty easy to find, but can also be purchased through Amazon Japan here. After cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces, Mr. Sato placed them in a plastic bag and poured in the packet of seasoned soy sauce that had come with his Karaagezukuri. He then left it to marinate for a while and turned his attention to the bamboo charcoal powder. Bamboo charcoal is the go-to ingredient for turning foods black in Japan, as opposed to using artificial food colorings. To make the Black Friday/Fry Day Chicken, we need to prepare a bamboo charcoal sauce, which we can do by dissolving the powder in water, adding in water little by little and stirring gently to keep it from getting mushy. According to the Japan Food Service recipe, you should use 25 milliliters (0.85 ounces) of water for every teaspoon of bamboo charcoal powder, but Mr. Sato skipped measuring the amounts and just sort of eyeballed the ratio instead. Once he was finished preparing the bamboo charcoal sauce, he went back to the chicken and poured the pieces into a bowl. Then he tore open the pack of powdered batter from the Karaagezukuri pack and sprinkled it evenly over the meat. Now it was time to do the actual cooking. After heating up cooking oil, he carefully added the pieces of chicken to the pan and fried them up. Checking to see if they were done, he stuck each piece with a toothpick, and if it came out clean, he transferred the morsels to a rack to cool off on. At the risk of being accused of tooting his own horn, Mr. Sato has to say that he was extremely pleased with how well he’d managed to fry the chicken. However, while the batch looked good enough to eat, it didn’t yet look the part of a Black Friday/Fry Day meal, and so using a pair of long cooking chopsticks, Mr. Sato picked up the fried chicken pieces, one by one, and dunked them in the bamboo charcoal sauce. Remember how we said Mr. Sato didn’t bother sticking to the exact ratio of water to bamboo charcoal powder listed in the recipe? This turned out to be a mistake, as his sauce ended up a little on the thick side. It wasn’t unusable, but coating the chicken thoroughly and evenly was trickier than it would have been if he’d used a little more water, like he was supposed to. Still, when he was done dunking, the chicken was impressively dark in color. Quite the transformation, huh? The Black Friday/Fry Day Chicken came out so dark that it was hard to visually perceive shadows on its surface, making for some surreal visuals when Mr. Sato pickled up a piece and went in for a closer look. As shocking as Black Friday/Fry Day Chicken might look, though, it doesn’t have a frightening flavor. Bamboo charcoal has next to no effect on the taste of the food it’s added to, so while your eyes will immediately see a difference, to your taste buds it’ll seem like standard karaage, which is in no way a complaint, seeing as how tasty Japanese-style fried chicken is. Aside from making sure to actually measure the amount of water and bamboo charcoal powder you use when making the black sauce, Mr. Sato does have one other point of caution, which is that eating the Black Friday/Fry Day Chicken will temporarily color your teeth. You won’t get permanent stains, but some color will probably be there until you give your teeth a proper brushing. So sort of like recipes that are heavy on garlic, this is a dish that’s best enjoyed by everyone you’re sharing the table with, and on occasions where no one has other social engagements lined up for later in the day. Keep those points in mind, though, and you’ll have an eye-catching dish that’s sure to have people curious to try it, and one you can easily whip up in time for Thanksgiving or the actual Black Friday. Reference: Cookpad Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

With a new cake and hot apple cider joining the festivities, this is shaping up to be a delicious holiday season. After revealing its first round of Christmas drinks before Halloween was even over, Starbucks is back again with the grand unveiling of its second round of festive drinks, and these look even tastier than the first. Whereas the initial drinks combined the chain’s Joyful Medley tea blend with strawberries, the latest release shifts the focus to chocolate and marshmallows for a richer, more unctuous flavour. This combination of chocolate and marshmallows conjures up thoughts of bonfires and toasty treats, and that’s exactly what these new drinks offer, as they’re called the S’mores Chocolate Latte and the S’mores Chocolate Frappuccino. The latte (pictured on the left in the image above) combines bitter chocolate sauce with the flavour of salted caramel, an espresso shot, and carefully steamed milk. The topping contains tiny marshmallows and crunchy whole wheat pieces, the two main components of s’mores, and finishes it all off with a sprinkling of brulee sugar for added sweetness. The fragrant aromas are said to gently spread through the palate, while the marshmallows gradually melt in the warmth of the latte, allowing you to enjoy the changing texture and flavour as you sip your way through the drink. The S’mores Chocolate Frappuccino is a deep, flavourful drink that combines an espresso shot with chocolate sauce, creating a fragrant yet deliciously bitter taste. It’s also topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, whole wheat pieces and brûlée sugar, but comes with the addition of a special chocolatey “s’mores sauce” for added richness. The variation in textures between the fluffy marshmallows and crunchy wheat pieces is said to be one of the highlights of this drink, in addition to the chocolatey coffee flavours. According to Starbucks, both drinks are said to represent a slightly more grown-up version of s’mores that’s perfect for the holiday season, and they’re said to pair well with the new Strawberry & Chocolate Tart (also pictured above) that’s set to be released on the same day. As if that wasn’t enough of a Christmas present for us, Starbucks has also announced it will be releasing yet another new beverage, and this one is called Hot Apple Cider. A staple at many Christmas markets in Japan, hot apple cider is becoming synonymous with local festive celebrations, and this one combines apple juice with the flavours of cinnamon, cloves, and orange, topped with freeze-dried apple, strawberry and cranberry pieces. Said to be “a simple yet sophisticated version” of the holiday drink, each cup of Hot Apple Cider is carefully steamed by a barista, and the tantalising, spicy flavours are designed to warm your body and soul from the very first sip. All the items above are set to be released on 26 November, with the Frappuccino sold in a Tall size only, priced at 678 yen (US$4.36) for takeout and 690 yen for dine-in. The Latte and the Hot Apple Cider will be available in Short through to Venti Sizes, priced from 570-710 yen and 550-690 yen respectively. As for the tart, it will be on the menu at 570 yen for takeout and 580 yen for dine-in. That’s a lot of festive selections to choose from, and you can bet we’ll be trying them all for you as soon as they’re released, right after we finish sipping on our truffle Soupuccino. Source, images: Press release ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!