Bring the warmth of Japanese train seat heating into the comfort of your home.  It’s been a particularly odd year for weather in Japan, with the heat lingering until just a few days ago, when the temperatures fell dramatically to winter-like levels. As it feels like we’re skipping autumn and going straight into winter, we’re already looking for things to keep us warm, and this year there’s a new product to give us one of the most comforting features of a Japanese winter: train seat heating. Created by Thanko, the quirky innovators who brought us a hot air bag clothes dryer and the chair umbrella, this clever product lets you enjoy the cosy warmth of a heated Japanese train seat, right in the comfort of your home or office. Released on 22 September, the “Like a Train Seat Heater” provides calf-warming comfort in a choice of three colours — Red, Green, and “Glay” (“Grey”) — which are reminiscent of real train seat upholstery, to make it feel like you’re actually sitting on a train. While Japanese trains tend to push air out from heaters underneath the seat, this product replicates that action with four heating zones: two under the thighs and two behind the calves, warming up those hard-to-reach areas. The calf section includes a polycarbonate board with built-in springiness so the heating element feels comfortable against your lower legs. It’s also designed with raised edges to recreate the snug fit of a train seat, which might just send you off into the same sort of blissful slumber you might enjoy on a long train ride. Powered by USB, the temperature can be adjusted through three levels — High (46 degrees Celsius [115 degrees Fahrenheit]), Medium (44 degrees Celsius), and Low (42 degrees Celsius) — using a wired remote control. It automatically switches off after 60 minutes to prevent overheating and as a safeguard in case you forget to turn it off. ▼ With a storage pocket for a mobile battery included, the operating time is about four hours on High, five hours on Medium, and six hours on Low. There are a lot of products on the market that’ll keep your body warm in winter but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that warms your heart with the sensation of a cosy Japanese train ride as well. The “Like a Train Seat Heater” is priced at 6,980 yen (US$45.70), and can be purchased at Thanko’s official online store and physical retail locations. Related: Thanko Retail Locations Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Unlimited fish and a menu that changes every day at an unbeatable price. When people decide to visit Japan, there are many items that can be found on their itineraries: go up Tokyo Sky Tree, wander through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, or enjoy a hot spring facebath. While some of these might be fine to skip over, the one thing you should never leave Japan without fully immersing yourself in is the food. Be it trying out local varieties of udon noodles, or sampling the predecessor to takoyaki octopus balls, Japanese cuisine is vast and varied, and has something for everyone. One of the foods that Japanese people hold most dear is raw fish, which while most people would imagine as being served on top of rice in the form of sushi, is also equally enjoyed just by itself as slices of raw fish called sashimi. If you find yourself wanting to feast upon endless amounts of seafood, a new restaurant has just opened a dream-like restaurant with an all-you-can-eat sashimi buffet. Gyoko Shokudo opened on September 20, 2025 in Hadano, Kanagawa, which is a city that is just over an hour’s train ride from Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu Line. The system at Gyoko Shokudo is pretty simple: just pay 2,750 yen (US$18.12) on weekdays, or 3,300 yen on weekends and holidays (both tax included), and you can enjoy 60 minutes of unrestrained fish feasting frenzy. If it just so happens to be your birthday, you can enjoy your meal for half of the usual price. Do note that the refillable drink bar, and the alcoholic beverages, are charged separately for both deals. Once you’ve been shown to your seat, you’re ready to see what is on today’s menu, because another thing that makes the store so special is that the lineup of fish changes daily, depending entirely on what was caught that day. Perhaps you want that beautiful-looking yellowtail? After all, it looks so thick and juicy… There’s the all-time favorite: salmon. Oh? There’s some albacore tuna, too. And even some seared bonito! Various types of marinated sashimi are also available. There are almost too many things to try, but remember you only have a limited amount of time so you need to be decisive; pick out what you fancy, or take a little of everything, and return to your seat for what promises to be a sumptuous meal. Try some of the sashimi and you’ll be astounded at how firm and springy it is, not to mention delicious. You would be forgiven for thinking that the freshness or quality might drop given the price, but that’s not the case at Gyoko Shokudo. In fact, it might even outshine the sashimi you get at conveyor-belt sushi restaurant chains. Don’t forget to pair it with some sweet sashimi soy sauce, for an unbeatable combo. After polishing off your first set of fish, there’s no time to rest on your laurels. Remember: you only have 60 minutes, and there’s just too much to try. Look at these gigantic shrimp, for example! So plump, and not even a hint of any unpleasant odors, only a deliciously sweet flavor. It’s wild to think that you could eat as many of these as you want. Standing around in a puddle of your own saliva as you look around at all the different delicacies on display, you’ll start to wander back to some of your favorites from when you went up before, but then the staff bring out some salmon roe. ▼ The sign here asks that customers limit their roe intake to one spoonful each time. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you turn around and see the holy grail: Pacific bluefin tuna. Not every guest will be lucky to sample it though, as it’s a limited item, so if you happen to see it there, snatch it up fast or it’ll likely be gone. Of course, there’s not only sashimi on offer, as there are other items, such as fish bone soup, to enjoy too. The chunks of fish are large and satisfying to eat, while the broth is rich and flavorful. There is also an assortment of rice accompaniments like boiled whitebait and salted fermented squid. If you want to switch it up with some grilled and fried items, Gyoko Shokudo has those for the taking too. Even some fried chicken, if you happen to feel like you’re drowning in too much fish. Or partake in their homemade curry. You might think, “Sure, sashimi is great and all, but I really can’t do without that sushi rice.” In which case, you’re in luck as not only does the store have a big pot of vinegared sushi rice (shari) for your sushi, or seafood bowl-making, pleasure, there’s also a pot of regular white rice just next to it. ▼ The shari is on the left with the normal rice on the right. So, you’ve now stuffed yourself to the point where you’re now more part fish than human, but that doesn’t mean the experience is over; there’s still dessert to go, all of which are well-prepared. If there were to be one negative thing to say about the whole experience, it would be that the sashimi can disappear instantly, particularly during the dinner rush. As the staff only restock every 10 to 15 minutes or so, if you happen to miss the timing, you’ll be wasting valuable eating time until the next refill, or have to switch over to other options. Even the oden, an assortment of ingredients simmered in a soy sauce broth, from the side menu was emptied out promptly, so you’ll need to be prepared for a battle if you want a chance at the popular items. This all-you-can-eat experience is less of a leisurely graze, and more of a meal where you need to come determined to eat the food you want to eat. Whether you want to enjoy as much quality seafood as your stomach will allow, or you’re just passing by on your way to enjoy the beauty of Hakone and its hot springs, Gyoko Shokudo is a genuinely fantastic restaurant that is well worth a visit. Store location Gyoko Shokudo Hadano-ten / 漁港食堂 秦野店 Address: Kanagawa-ken, Hadano-shi, Naganuki 383-1 神奈川県秦野市名古木383-1 Open: 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Closed: No regular days off Website Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

The Kita Kanto Brothers make an unexpected detour in Gunma Prefecture. Welcome back to Kita Kanto Brothers, where our Japanese-language reporters Masanuki Sunakoma and Takamichi Furusawa journey across northern east Japan to visit the region’s best hidden, quirky, and off-the-beaten-path sightseeing spots. And to be clear, we’re talking about the northern (“kita”) prefectures of Japan’s eastern Kanto area, not the prefectures that make up the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan. As has become tradition, the Kita Kanto Brothers began their expedition by meeting in a random north Kanto field. After mulling over their options, they decided to head to the town of Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture. Ashikaga has a number of sites of interest, such as the oldest school in Japan and Ashikaga Flower Park, which boasts some of the most beautiful wisteria in the county. As has also become tradition, their mode of transport would be neither train nor car. Instead, the Kita Kanto Brothers filled their minds with loving thoughts of north Kanto, leapt into the air… …and warped. Except, hold on, this wasn’t Ashikaga! As a matter of fact, it wasn’t even Tochigi. Instead, Masanuki and Takamichi had somehow ended up in Ota, Gunma Prefecture. Confused as to what could have interfered with their Kita Kanto powers, the brothers looked around, and quickly found the reason for their unintended arrival here. “Vending machines,” “Coffee,” “Snacks,” and “Video games” said the tiers of the sign for someplace called Orange Hat. Since those are some of the finest things in life, Masanuki and Takamichi came to the conclusion that the greater will of north Kanto must have pulled them to this location, even though they’d been trying to warp somewhere else, so that they wouldn’t miss it. Placing their trust in this fate, they decided to head on in and check the place out… …and felt like they’d traveled not only to Ota, but also several decades back in time. The architecture, interior, and overall atmosphere were like something from Japan’s Showa era, which ended in 1989. Nowhere were the old-school vibes stronger than at the row of food vending machines, which contained multiple models that haven’t been commonly encountered in Japan for decades. Not wanting to pass up this rare opportunity, Masanuki sauntered up to the vending machine for hot soba and udon noodles and fed in 380 yen (US$2.55) in coins in order to then feed himself some noodles. ▼ The buttons for the two options, tempura soba (天ぷらそば) and tempura udon (天ぷらうどん) After a short wait, the LED timer indicated that Masanuki’s food was ready, so he opened up the door at the bottom of the machine… …and got his tempura udon! They weren’t anything fancy, but the broth had an enticing color to it, promising rich flavor, and the kakiage cluster of sliced vegetable tempura looked tasty too. Masanuki dug in, and found the broth did indeed have a very satisfying touch of sweetness to it, and was nice and thick with a pleasing texture. The unique surroundings also seemed to add their own special seasoning, sort of like when we recently ate Japan’s most expensive Cup Noodle in a not-so-everyday location. And with Orange Hat open 24 hours a day, you can stop in for a bite whenever the mood strikes. As Masanuki ate, Takamichi dropped a coin into one of the video mahjong games, and when it eventually hit him with a game over screen, he hit up the vending machines too to get a drink. Coca-Cola itself is common in Japanese vending machines, but finding one that sells it in glass bottles is a rare treat. What’s more, it was priced at just 150 yen, which is quite a bit less than what modern vending machines charge for plastic bottles of it now, with rapid inflation continuing in Japan. The machine even has an integrated bottle opener, where you can pop the cap off and it’ll be directly dropped back into the machine so that you don’t have to carry it around with you. ▼ Orange Hat Having enjoyed this refreshing pause, it was time for the Kita Kanto Brothers to get back on the proverbial road/warp path to Ashikaga. Except when Masanuki warped out at Ashikaga Station… …Takamichi was nowhere to be seen. ▼ “…Takamichi…?” ▼ “Takamichi?” ▼ “Takamichi!” ▼ “TAAAKAAAMIIICHIII!!!” What happened to Takamichi? Will he and Masanuki reunite? Those answers will have to wait for the next installment of the Kita Kanto Brothers, unless Takamichi really is gone for good and we have to change the name of this series to just Kita Kanto Bro. Location information Orange Hat (Okinogo branch) / オレンジハット（沖之郷店） Address: Gunma-ken, Ota-shi, Okinogo-cho 448-4 群馬県太田市沖之郷町448-4 Open 24 hours Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Survey finds loanwords getting more use than okaa-san and otou-san. As we’ve touched on before, there are several different ways to say “mom” and “dad” in Japanese. The ones that are generally considered the standard versions, though, as well as the ones you’re most likely to first encounter in a learning-Japanese textbook, are okaa-san for mom and otou-san for dad. However, in a recent survey of Japanese teenagers, okaa-san and otou-san weren’t the words they most commonly used in talking to their parents, and in fact their top responses aren’t even originally Japanese words at all. The survey, conducted by Tokyo-based youth research organization Wakamono Research, collected responses from 862 current Japanese high school students through an online questionnaire. Starting with the fourth-most common replies, 0.9 percent of the high schoolers said they call their dad oyaji, a somewhat rough and masculine phrase that’s similar in tone to “pops” in English. The same number, 0.9 percent, said they call their mom ofukuro, which is essentially the female version of oyaji when used in a familial context. ▼ SoraNews24 ace reporter Mr. Sato’s dad, who he calls oyaji, showing off big oyaji energy The number three answers were also the same for moms and dads, with 2.6 percent of the respondents saying they call their mom by her name, and 4.1 percent saying they do so when talking to their dad. This is pretty surprising, as such familiarity towards older generations in the family is pretty uncommon in Japan, but among those who gave this answer were teens who were part of blended families who call their step-parent by their name. Second place is where we see okaa-san and otou-san for mom and dad, chosen by 33.4 and 28.1 percent of the teens, respectively. But if the standard, baseline Japanese terms only finished in second, what was at the top of the list? Mama and papa. Not only were they the most common responses, they made up the majority, with 50.2 percent of the participants using papa and even more, 56.3 percent, using mama. When asked why mama and papa were their terms of choice, many of the respondents replied that that’s simply what they’ve called their parents since early childhood, and haven’t had any specific event or occasion that’s given them an impetus to switch to something else. ▼  “Hmm…when to stop calling mom “mama”… Another factor that’s probably in play is that while mama and papa aren’t extremely recent additions to colloquial speech in Japan, they’ve become increasingly more commonly used for the past few generations. With increased affinity for and familiarity with mama and papa, it’s likely that newer Japanese parents are less likely to encourage or instruct their children to start calling them something else as they get older, despite mama and papa still having a relatively cute and juvenile ring to them, in comparison to okaa-san and otou-san. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that mama and papa are set to be permanent modes of address. Among the respondents who go with okaa-san and otou-san, a common reason for their choice is that as they hit their teenage years, they started to feel embarrassed calling their parents mama and papa, and were now ready to move on to more mature-sounding alternatives. It’s also worth noting that Wakamono Research hasn’t broken down the responses by gender, and it’s almost certain that mama, and especially papa, are less popular choices for teen boys to use than they are for teen girls. Similarly, the low number of responses for oyaji and ofukuro are partially a reflection of how the terms are almost exclusively used by men when talking about their parents. Nevertheless, the survey shows that while okaa-san and otou-san are often the first terms listed in Japanese textbooks for mom and dad, they’re far from the final word in how Japanese families communicate. Source: Maido na News via Livedoor News via Jin Top image: Pakutaso Insert images: SoraNews24, Pakutaso ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Shichijo Kanshundo’s beautiful friendship with Pikachu and pals continues. The visual appeal of Pokémon’s creature designs are a big part of what attracts fans to the franchise, and the Pokédex is filled with species that look cute, cool, or a combination of the two. It’s less often that we see Pikachu and pals used as muses for something beautiful, though, but that’s just what Kyoto confectioner Shichijo Kanshundo is doing with its latest sweets lineup. The maker of elegant treats, which was founded in 1865, collaborates with the Pokémon franchise once every year or so, shifting the spotlight to different types of Pokémon and recipes. For this year’s batch, Shichijo Kanshundo is offering a four-piece set that includes a Pikachu sculpted out of nerikiri (mochi flour with white bean jam kneaded into the dough) plus gyuhi (extra-soft mochi) to get the cuddly Pokémon’s texture just right. Also included in the four-piece set are nerikiri versions of Shiftry and a tri-color Ho-Oh feather. Ho-Oh’s inclusion is particularly appropriate, as the crane-like Legendary Pokémon was introduced to the series at the same time as the Johto region, which takes many of its inspirations from the real-world Kyoto area. Ho-Oh also regularly serves as Kyoto’s representative Pocket Monster species, appearing in regional merchandise and at Kyoto’s Pokémon Center store. All of these are individually handmade by Shichijo Kanshundo staff, and rounding out the quartet is Clodsire, who instead of nerikiri is a joyomanju, a sweet bun with grated yam mixed into the flour. Pikachu and Ho-Oh are also featured in the three-piece fuyaki senbei set. Senbei is a general term for Japanese rice crackers, and fuyaki senbei are a sweet-tasting version made with mochi rice. Each of these fuyaki senbei is like a beautiful little painting, showing Pikachu and Ho-Oh posing with some classical Kyoto architecture, and they’re joined by Magikarp. And finally, there’s a Pokémon hoshigashi box. Hoshigashi is a loose classification that means “dry candies,” and their low moisture content allows for confectioners to incorporate lots of fine details in their design. For this set, you have powdery Pikachus, made with wasanbon (a traditional fine-grain sugar made with a slender variety of Japanese sugarcane) plus sakura cherry blossoms and fall leaves, both seasonal sights strongly associated with Kyoto. Hoshigashi are often made with a wooden mold, and in keeping with that old-school ethos, Shichijo Kanshundo created a Pikachu-shaped one. Prices range from 1,728 yen (US$11.50) for the senbei set to 2,160 yen for the higashi box and 2,916 yen for the nerikiri and joyomanju bundle, and the entire lineup is available through Shichijo Kanshundo’s online store here. Source: PR Times, Shichijo Kanshundo Top image: PR Times Insert images: PR Times, Shichijo Kanshundo ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo. ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Anime characters from five famous movies want cuddles from their new owners.  There’s a beautiful word in Japanese to describe dappled sunlight and it’s called “komorebi“. Composed of the kanji for “tree” (“木” [“mo”]), “leak” (“漏れ” [“more”])  and “sun” (“日” [“bi”]), it’s a word that conjures up a beautiful amount of visual imagery, with notions of light and shade moving together in a natural environment, and now it’s the inspiration for a new range of plush toys from Studio Ghibli. Called the “Komorebi Series“, these soft toys shine a light on some of the characters that often appear out of the shadows, with seven in the lineup from five of the studio’s films. The first character jumping out of the shadows to greet us is the Catbus from My Neighbour Totoro. ▼ Measuring 11 x 15 x 29 centimetres (4.33 × 5.91 × 11.42 inches), this plushie retails for 5,280 yen (US$34.94). Not only does the character bound into the light from the shadows, it also brings light with it, thanks to its brightly lit windows. Its giant eyes and gleaming grin will bring joy to even the darkest of days, as you won’t be able to stop yourself from grinning right back at the Catbus in its cute plush toy form. The next character stepping out from the shadows is Moon from Whisper of the Heart (7.5 × 12 × 18.5 centimetres; 3,960 yen). Moon’s charmingly nonplussed face is beautifully replicated, making it seem like he might escape from the confines of your domicile to wander the streets come nightfall. ▼ The sideye is a total mood. Next up, we have two felines from Kiki’s Delivery Service, starting with Jiji (21 × 9 × 16 centimetres; 3,740 yen). Star character Jiji needs no introduction, with his purple ears and jet-black fur begging to be touched and petted. The character’s giant eyes will mesmerise you, while also evoking memories of the scene where the character sits upright in a birdcage while pretending to be a stuffed toy. ▼ It’s like Jiji as a stuffed toy has come to life! Fans of Jiji will be pleased to know that his wife Lily is also stepping out as a plushed toy, so they can live happily ever after in the real world. Lily measures 21 × 9 × 16 centimetres and is slightly more expensive than Jiji, at 3,960 yen. Lily’s soft, fluffy fur will make you want to reach out and hug it, and it will instantly soothe you in return. Next in the lineup is the Fox Squirrel from Laputa: Castle in the Sky (24 × 11 × 23 centimetres; 4,070 yen). ▼ The character’s bright green eyes capture the magic of the movie world from where it came. Its plump, squirrel-like body comes with an irresistibly thick tail that’s just waiting to be lovingly squished by its owner. Finally, we have two beloved characters from Howl’s Moving Castle, starting with Calcifer, the hot-headed fire spirit. Priced at 3,080 yen and measuring 15 × 13.5 × 10 centimtres, Calcifer’s fiery body is beautifully replicated with fur that you’ll want to run your fingers through. ▼ The character’s wide-eyed, anxious face is perfectly primed for soothing cuddles. ▼ Finally, we have the more relaxed Hin, or “Heen” as he’s sometimes known. Measuring 10 × 16 × 25.5 centimetres, and priced at 4,070 yen, this plush toy is adorable from all angles. Unfortunately, the two plushies from Howl’s Moving Castle are unavailable at the moment as they’re yet to be released, but the five other characters are ready to be purchased now at Donguri Kyowakoku stores and online through the links below. The komorebi plush toys will bring light to even the darkest corners of your room, and you can always stuff them into a Ghibli character pouch for special outdoor adventures. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Team of 10 all-star artists, including Pokémon and Fate illustrators, shares their takes on the Hollywood classic for 40th anniversary celebration and upcoming merch collection. Though its original release precedes Japanese animation’s global popularity boom by quite a bit, Back to the Future has a plot that would work very easily for an anime. A teenager with a good heart and a strong sense of justice goes on a science-fiction adventure, saves the day with the help of an eccentric friend, and in the happy ending even the villain is reformed? The 1985 Hollywood blockbuster’s premise would fit in perfectly among the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump or the time slots of a late-night TV anime block, and that’s even easier to envision thanks to a new series of Back to the Future illustrations from a group of anime/manga artist all-stars. As part of the celebration for Back to the Future’s 40th anniversary, 10 artists have put their spins on the movie’s cast. Let’s take a look at them one by one, and see if you can guess who’s behind each of them, starting with this surprisingly cheery one from… …Kazushi Hagiwara, best known for his edgy dark fantasy manga Bastard. Also giving a soft-touch look to Marty and Jennifer… …is Pokémon card illustrator Naoki Saito. OK, let’s do an easy one next. No one in manga artist history gives his characters more distinct, manly jawlines and eyebrows than… …Otokojuku creator Akira Miyashita. Hmm…that sudden influx of unaltered testosterone might be causing facial hair to start growing on your device’s screen. Let’s dial it back a bit with something from another manga veteran with a more balanced style… …Mazakazu Katsura, of Video Girl Ai, Shadow Lady, and I’’s fame. Easily the most dramatic interpretation of the bunch comes from someone who knows a thing or two about grand-scale adventure… …Raita Kazama, character designer for Nintendo’s Xenoblade and XenobladeX RPGs. The character proportions get just a little super-deformed… …with the contribution from Koji Inada, manga artist for Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. Showing how diverse anime/manga artist’s skillsets can be, this illustration, that actually looks like it could have been an North American movie poster during Back to the Future’s initial theatrical run… …was drawn by Masanori Morita, creator of high school delinquent fighting manga Rokudenashi Blues. Likewise, this piece, with an American newspaper Sunday comics vibe to it… …is the work of Ryosuke Takeuchi, whose resume includes the official promotional illustration for the Fly Me to the Saitama/Tonde Saitama live-action movie. And as we wrap things up, we get back to more conventional anime aesthetics as Marty faces off with a rather fine-featured Biff… …as imagined by A3 (Ace Three) artist Ryo Fujiwara, and last, radiating classic shonen adventure series energy… …the art of Fate/Grand Order character designer Lack. The illustrations were revealed on October 21, matching the calendar date that Marty travels to the future in Back to the Future Part II, but they’ll also be part of a special 40th anniversary booth at this year’s Tokyo Comic Con, which is taking place from December 5 to 7. Doc Brown actor Christopher Lloyd and a number of other cast members will be in attendance and signing autographs, and a special merch collection, featuring the manga-style artwork, will be on offer too. Related: Tokyo Comic Con Source: PR Times, Tokyo Comic Con Featured image: Tokyo Comic Con Top image: PR Times Insert images: PR Times, Tokyo Comic Con ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Coca-Cola Japan shows the sad transformation recycling boxes can go through if people are too selfish to use them properly. Japan, famously, has very few public trash cans. On the other hand, when out and about you’ll come across quite a few recycling boxes, both next to drink vending machines and in spaces like parks and train stations. However, it’s important to remember that these recycling boxes are specifically for plastic PET or glass bottles and aluminum cans so that they can be gathered for recycling. They’re not for people to toss other various types of trash in, and even if you’ve got recyclables, if the box happens to be full, you’re supposed to find somewhere else to dispose of them. To remind us all of these points, Coca-Cola Japan has created a video titled The Tale of the Collapse of Recycling Boxes. Backed by soulfully plaintiff music, the video’s narration begins with: “In the town, there were sorrowful recycling boxes which had changed into something so very different from their true form.” The video then shows us ways in which recycling boxes can figuratively collapse as misuse prevents them from contributing to a clean cityscape. The first example is what the narrator calls the “antenna type,” in which someone has jammed a fast food cup and a fancy domed dessert drink cup, straws still inserted, into the recycling box, blocking anyone else from inserting proper recyclables. ▼ “What sensations does it feel with these straws?” Next we come to the “offering type,” in which due to either the box being full or people being too lazy properly insert the recyclables, an array of empty bottles has formed in front of the box, resembling offerings placed on a memorial altar for the deceased. ▼ “Is this intricate arrangement meant to provide some kind of solace?” The “open-mouth type” occurs when someone tries to ditch trash in the recycle box that’s too large to fit through the holes and instead lifts off the entire lid. ▼ “It’s as though it’s crying out in anguish, or perhaps laughing in rueful exhaustion.” And last, we come to the “hidden collapse style,” where people have attempted to hide their litter by leaving it behind the recycling box, but just because it can’t be seen doesn’t mean it’s OK. ▼ “The darkness of the town is hidden behind the recycling box.” “Through casual littering, recycling boxes change into these forms,” the narrator laments, while adding “Please help stop these sad transformations and provide peace and tranquility for the recycling boxes.” Some might say that the fact that problems like the ones shown in the video occur is proof that Japan should swiftly increase its number of public trash cans. However, while there are Japanese people who use the recycling boxes improperly, they’re the exception, not the norm. For most Japanese people, the kinds of behavior discussed in the video are all clear breeches of etiquette, the sort of thing that makes someone look immature at best, and a selfish jerk if they’re old enough that they should know better. Adult manners dictate that if you’re going to be generating any sort of trash in public, you should be prepared to hang onto it until you find a proper place to dispose of it, which might mean carrying it back to your home or hotel, and that includes hanging on to even empty recyclables if the recycling box you come across is full. Source, images: YouTube/コカ・コーラ ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

A truly Tomamu travel experience. There are two key elements to the experiences Japan’s Hoshino Resorts group offers. As a premier hotel chain, they provide guests with elegantly luxurious amenities, but each location also seeks to harmoniously highlight the beauty of the local landscapes. In the case of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, that means snow and ice, and lots of them, thanks to the hotel’s proximity to Mt. Tomamu in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost, and chilliest, prefecture. Hosino Resorts Tomamu has so much ice that it builds an Ice Village on its grounds every winter, and this year’s version is getting set to start welcoming visitors soon. This year’s Ice Village opens on December 10 and will consist of 11 structures spread out over a 3.2-hectare area. Returning this year is the Ice Chapel, which has hosted more than 660 wedding ceremonies since its first iteration in 2005 and this year will feature a new design in which friends and family will be seated in a circle around the bride and groom. The chapel will also be open between ceremonies in the evening between January 20 and February 14 for visitors to come in and see even if they’re not getting hitched. ▼ Even the pews are sculpted out of ice. In terms of joyous occasions, many would say that finding good food ranks right up there with finding the love of your life, and so the Ice Village will also have an Ice Restaurant serving a mix of hot and chilled foods. In the first category are cheese fondue made with milk from local dairies and minestrone soup, and if you’re looking to double down on the chilliness, you can opt for a bowl of ice ramen, with chilled noodles and frozen toppings. ▼ The Ice Ramen appears to come in a bowl that’s made of ice, or at least covered in frost. And while you’re enjoying your ice meal, don’t forget to save room for ice dessert. Inside the Ice Sweets Shop, which is making its Ice Village debut this year, you can craft your own sweets by pouring melted chocolate and candied bits into molds and watching them freeze-fuse together, or make white chocolate ice bars. ▼ As an added bonus, you won’t have to rush when eating them, since there’s very little risk of them melting. And for those looking for even more icy adventures, there’s the Ice Hotel, a special room made entirely out of ice where one party per day can spend the night between January 20 and February 20. A look at the preview map also shows that the village will also have a bar, open-air bath, post office, and giant slide made out of ice, as well as an ice-skating rink, which is just about the only thing that you would normally expect to be made of ice. ▼ The Ice Post Office will have a mailbox made of ice and offer post cards whose visual design changes depending on the temperature. This year’s Ice Village will be open nightly, from 5 to 10 p.m., from December 10 to March 14. Though it’s part of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, you don’t have to be staying at the hotel to check it out, as non-guests too can purchase admission tickets for 600 yen (US$4), with children under 7 admitted for free with a paying parent. Related: Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Snuggle up to favourites from Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro. With autumn weather finally here, people around the country are swapping out their summer gear for warmer clothing, and Studio Ghibli has three stoles that’ll ward off the chill in a magical way. The first stole lets you cosplay as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle, as it’s modelled on the cape worn by the star character. The distinctive argyle pattern is beautifully replicated, and hiding out within the design is Turnip Head, Sophie’s hat, and… ▼ …Calcifer! The smart button-up design lets you use the stole in a number of ways. ▼ You can use it as a lap blanket… ▼ …a button-up stole… ▼ …or simply sling it over your shoulders like Howl. Even when you’re not using it, the stole will brighten your room with a dash of Ghibli flair. The next two stoles are darker in colour but no less charming, with the Kiki’s Delivery Service design filled with familiar motifs from the film. ▼ Look close and you’ll find plaited breads from the bakery… ▼ …feline paw prints and the birdcage, in honour of feline star Jiji… ▼ …and nods to Kiki’s family home, alongside an appearance from Jiji himself. The woven jacquard shawl will keep you warm wherever you place it, whether it be on your lap or your upper body. The final shawl in the lineup is dedicated to My Neighbour Totoro. The sweet snowflake design will transport you to Totoro’s magical forest in winter. Hiding out amongst the wintry motifs is a lone “Snowman Totoro” that’ll put a smile on your face every time you lay eyes on it. Like the other stoles in the range, you can wear this one on your lap or over your shoulders. You can even bundle it up and wear it around your neck like an oversized scarf. The stoles are priced at 5,280 yen (US$35.01) each and are available at Donguri Kyowakoku stores and online. They’ll make a beautiful addition to your cold-weather wardrobe, and will be perfect when enjoyed with a cup of Studio Ghibli tea. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Featured image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2, 3) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!