Japanese

These Are Not Computer-Generated 3D Images, Just Realistic Candied Animals You Can Actually Eat

By Jackson Chung May 18, 2015

No, these aren’t CG images, just Amezaiku, the art of crafting realistic animal lollipops that you can actually eat. This skill has been a Japanese tradition since the 8th century, and 26 year-old Shinri Tezuka is an expert at creating these edible works of art made from sugary syrup and starch, with a touch of organic food coloring. He actually has his own shop, called “Ameshin” that sells his animal confectionery for approximately 1000-2000 yen ($8-$17 USD), and also teaches those interested in learning the craft. Continue reading for a video and more pictures.

Artist Takes Leaf Skeletons and Turns Them Into Surreal-Looking Sculptures

By Jackson Chung May 17, 2015

Japanese artist Kay Sekimachi specializes in creating contemporary fiber art with challenging materials, such as leaves, hornet’s nest paper, grass, shells, and linen constitute. For her latest project: “Sekimachi uses the loom to construct three-dimensional sculptural forms.” To give them the solid shape, she added Kozo paper, watercolor and Krylon coating to the leaves. Continue reading for more pictures.

There’s a Real Ninja House in Tokyo and It Has Floating Floors Accessed by a Network of Ladders

By Jackson Chung May 10, 2015

People use ladders to access tree houses all the time, but rarely do we see them inside homes – besides home libraries. This Tokyo couple commissioned Hiroyuka Shinozaki Architects to give their 750 square-foot apartment a modern ninja makeover, one that maximizes interior space, and the result was a series of floating floors accessed by a network of ladders. Continue reading for more pictures and information.

Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan is World’s Third Largest, Looks Like a Roller Coaster

By Jackson Chung May 2, 2015

Japan’s Eshima Ohashi bridge is the world’s largest rigid-frame bridge in the country (and third largest in the world), but due to its extraordinarily steep incline on both sides, people have likened the structure to a roller coaster. It connects the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato. Architectural engineers made it 44 meters tall, with a 5.1% and 6.1% incline on each side, so boats can safely utilize the lake for transportation. Continue reading for a video, more pictures and additional information.

Sega’s maimai ORANGE is the Craziest Arcade Game You’ll See Today, Looks Like a Giant Washing Machine

By Jackson Chung April 26, 2015

For those who don’t live in Japan, Taiwan or China, maimai is basically an arcade rhythm game developed and distributed by Sega, in which the player interacts with objects on a touchscreen and executes dance-like movements. The game supports both single-player and multiplayer gameplay with up to 4 players. Various kinds of objects will appear at the center and approach the outer rim of the circular touchscreen. The player must tap, hold or slide on the touchscreen or surrounding buttons in time with the music, depending on the type of note. Continue reading for another video and more information.

Japanese Woman Discovers Boyfriend is Cheating, Destroys His Apple Gadgets

By Jackson Chung April 22, 2015

A Japanese woman decided to get revenge on her cheating boyfriend by drowning his collection of Apple gadgets, including an iMac. In addition to the desktop computer, an iPhone, iPad and accessories also got a good wash. She then proceeded to take photos of the gadget tub, and sent them to him. Presumably on the one item of technology that he still had on him. Continue reading for another picture and more information.

Japanese Master Craftsman Restores Damaged Books by Hand, Makes Them Look New Without High-Tech Machinery

By Jackson Chung April 22, 2015

Photo credit: Rocket News

Master craftsman Okano Nobuo from Japan has spent the past 33-years repairing damaged books and reconstituting them to look brand new, without the use of high-tech machinery. Recently, a customer brought in an old 1,000 page Japanese-English dictionary that looked tattered to say the least. Okano delicately began the repair process using basic tools, such as a wooden press, chisel, water and glue. Before you ask, yes, the job required Okano to flatten and iron all 1,000 pages by hand, using tweezers and an iron. The entire process was documented on a Japanese show called “Fascinating Craftsman” (Shuri, Bakaseru). Continue reading for a video and more information.

In the Future, We May See Geeks Dressing Up as Giant Cats, Thanks to This Creepy Wool Mask

By Jackson Chung April 15, 2015

Photo credit: YouMou

This giant cat head looks like something straight from a horror movie, but it’s a real prop. It’s made from sheep’s wool felt by needle-felting expert Housetu Sato and his students at the Japan School Of Wool Art, which prides itself as world’s only school that provide professional cat needle-felting courses. Continue reading for more pictures and information.

Godzilla Hotel Set to Open in Tokyo, Here’s a First Look Inside

By Jackson Chung April 14, 2015

The Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku – one of 23 city wards in Tokyo – will open its doors, but here’s a first look inside. This 30-story hotel sits atop the Shinjuku’s Toho Cinema and features several Godzilla-themed rooms that will run you a minimum of $334 per night. However, for just $125 a night, there’s a room that looks directly out at this Godzilla head. Continue reading for a video and more information.

This is Not a Post-Apocalyptic Bunker, Just the World’s Largest Underground Flood Diversion Facility

By Jackson Chung April 11, 2015

It may look like a post-apocalyptic bunker, but this is actually the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, an underground water infrastructure project in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. It’s currently the world’s largest underground flood water diversion facility, built to mitigate overflowing of the city’s major waterways and rivers during rain and typhoon seasons. Continue reading for a video, more pictures and additional information.