Japanese

Guy from Japan Masters the Art of Coin Stacking, Creates Mind-Boggling Sculptures without Digital Tricks

By Jackson Chung December 6, 2016

Photo credit: Thumb Tani

A guy from Japan, who goes by Tanu online, has mastered the art of coin stacking, and despite how some of his sculptures appear to defy the laws of physics, none have been digitally altered. He starts with a variety of denominations, and then builds a strong base using staggered coins. Next, the coins are carefully placed upright and put edge-to-edge without them falling over. Continue reading for two more videos, pictures, and information. Click here for a few bonus images.

There are Choppers, and Then the TRON-Inspired “Zecoo” Electric Motorcycle

By Jackson Chung December 5, 2016

There are choppers, and then Japanese designer Kota Nezu’s “Zecoo” electric motorcycle. Hand assembled, the bike’s various parts are made from sculpted aluminum alloy block with an innovative frame layout centered around the electric components, while the hub steering mechanism is designed to accommodate the battery’s weight to maintain steering ability. It can be fully charged in just 4-hours and its power source provides a maximum torque of 144 Nm and 160km range. One caveat: all 49 units have already been sold. Click here to view the first image in today’s viral picture gallery. Continue reading for the five most popular viral videos today, including one showing five vintage gadgets being put to the test.

Gigantic Sinkhole Opens Up in Japan and Swallows Entire Road, Captured on Video

By Jackson Chung November 9, 2016

A giant sinkhole opened up in the middle of a busy Japanese city on Tuesday, swallowing a five-lane street near the main railway station. The large hole, around 98-feet wide, exposed support columns of buildings nearby at a traffic intersection in the southern city of Fukuoka, prompting fears of further collapses. Television footage showed two separate holes steadily expanding as they sucked in asphalt and soil in front of the city’s Hakata Station. Continue reading for two street-level videos, more pictures and additional information.

Bizarre Empty Tents and 5 More Strange Things You May Not Know About “Suicide Forest” in Japan

By Jackson Chung October 16, 2016

Aokigahara, best known as “Suicide Forest”, is basically a 35-square-kilometer forest that is located at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Even though camping is allowed in the area, people who bring a tent with them show hesitation, or are just undecided on their suicide attempt. If spotted by prevention patrol, the team speaks with the campers, who might have already been out there for days, encouraging them to leave the forest. Continue reading for five more strange things you might not have known.

This Isn’t a Wild West Movie Set, Just Japan’s Bizarre “Western Village” Theme Park – Here’s a Rare Look Inside

By Jackson Chung October 10, 2016

At first, this may appear to be a Wild West movie set, but it’s actually “Western Village”, a now closed theme park in Nikko, a city about 70 miles north of the capital Tokyo. Abandoned since 2007, and unfortunately demolished, the buildings seemingly belong in Westworld, a horror film where robots have taken over a theme park. It originally opened in the 1970s, and as recent as 1995, the owners added a new $25-million expansion section, which included a giant Mount Rushmore replica. That’s not all, the developers even imported a church from California, piece by piece. Continue reading for two more videos, pictures and information. Click here for a few bonus images.

This is Not a Real Girl, Just a Photo-Realistic 3D Model Created by Japanese Artists

By Jackson Chung September 17, 2016

Saya looks like just another person you’d see on the street, but there is something unique about her – she isn’t real. These lifelike images are entirely computer generated by Teruyuki and Yuki Ishikawa, a husband-and-wife team of freelance 3D computer graphics artists from Tokyo. You’d think the hair would be the most tedious part, but it’s actually achieving the realistic translucent skin. Continue reading for more pictures and information.

Weird Conical “Jikka” Homes in Japan and 18 More Fascinating Images

By Jackson Chung September 17, 2016

These conical homes appear to be from a fairytale, but they can be found in the Japanese mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture. They were designed by Issei Suma and consist of five tents that were built for two retired ladies. Inside, you’ll find modern amenities such as a seashell-shaped pool, full kitchen, as well as plenty of space for their caretaker and cook to roam around. Continue reading for more fascinating images from around the web.

Interesting Video Gives us a Look Inside House NA, Tokyo’s Transparent House

By Jackson Chung September 5, 2016

House NA, designed by Sou Fukimoto Architects and located in Tokyo, is known as the transparent home, and for good reason. The interior is devoid of any walls, while boasting large glass windows for plenty of natural light to soak in. The design appears to mimic a tree, but in modern fashion. Click here for more pictures of House NA. Continue reading for a video showing what the home looks like today.

Giant 13-Foot Robot Lets You Crawl Inside to Control It, Could be Start of the Gundam Program

By Jackson Chung August 31, 2016

Osaka-based Hajime Research Institute could have unknowingly started the Gundam program by building a giant 13-foot tall, 660-pound robot that humans control from the inside. The ultimate goal is to one day build a walking, human-controlled robot that stands 59-feet high. The control system of this prototype is based on a master-slave system, which is essentially just a smaller version of the robot inside that can be manipulated – turning its head with a small twist of the model’s, etc. Click here to view the first image in this week’s funny autocorrect texts gallery. Continue reading for a viral video of an 80s game that might’ve been designed by the CIA for mind control purposes.

These Rocks Aren’t Covered with Glow Stick Liquid, Just Bioluminescent Shrimp

By Jackson Chung August 22, 2016

Photo credit: Tdub Photo

Tdub Photo headed to Seto Inland Sea in Japan for his latest photo series, titled “The Weeping Stones”. It captures the stunning soothing blue glow of bioluminescent shrimp against the rocks of Seto. “This urge to do more is what drove us to create this year’s set. This set was created by pouring the ‘sea fireflies’ over rocks and points along the shore to give the impression that the stones were ‘weeping,'” said Trevor Williams. Continue reading for more pictures and information.