Category Archives: Japan

10,000 Free Flights to Japan!?

Posted on October 11, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Unsurprisingly, foreign tourism in Japan has plummeted in the past seven months, following the catastrophic events that ravaged the Tohoku region last March. Numbers were down more than 50% in the months directly following the disasters, as much as 80% … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Meet the Mascot — Blue’bear’ries!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Our lovely home of Gunma Prefecture is quite famous for fruit picking, but did you know that you can pick fruit in Tokyo as well? In the Nerima ward of Tokyo, a bit west of Ikebukuro and a bit north … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Japan | 1 Comment

Game of Thrones — The Japanese Covers

Posted on August 16, 2011 by superhappyawesome

So, if you’re anything like us or our friends, you’ve probably been devouring the Song of  Ice and Fire series recently, or have long since finished them. After Game of Thrones was made into an HBO show earlier this year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Pokéball Fireworks!

Posted on August 2, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Yukata. Festivals. Fireflies.  かき氷 (kakigori) or shave ice. Sweat trickling down your back as your fan gently pushes the humid air past your face. All of these things mean summer in Japan, and one thing rises quite literally above the … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, you so crazy! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hengao, Pon Pon Pon Lyrics, and a Chance to Meet Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!

Posted on July 21, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Yesterday this poster magically appeared at my school: Most of my coworkers had no idea who that girl in the picture was, and couldn’t even pronounce her name, but I knew. I knew instantly who it was. きゃりぱみゅぱみゅ! That’s right, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

海の日 — Marine Day

Posted on July 18, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Happy Marine Day! Today is 海の日 (umi no hi) or Marine Day here in Japan. It is a national holiday which originally commemorated the historic 1876 voyage of Emperor Meiji to Aomori on a specially constructed steam-ship. Today it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

KFC’s One Piece Kiddie Meal

Posted on July 14, 2011 by superhappyawesome

So as I mentioned before, the first night we went to the Tanabata Matsuri in my city, things were a bit quiet. The decorations were in full force, and there were girls running around in scandalously shoulder-baring yukata (shocking!) but … Continue reading →

Posted in Anime, Food!, Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Black Eyed Peas’ Love Song to Japan

Posted on July 11, 2011 by superhappyawesome

A good friend of ours posted this video yesterday, saying that he missed Anime Expo. The lyrics are quite relevant (“I just can’t get enough” really resonates with those feelings of “con withdrawal” that always come up after such an … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Happy Tanabata!

Posted on July 7, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Today is Tanabata here in Japan! It is also known as the Star Festival, 七夕 or simply 7/7, and is the holiday of star-crossed lovers. It’s a bit romantic and fun, with lots of great decorations. When we did holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Modern Traditions | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Our trip to the Daruma Factory!

Posted on June 29, 2011 by superhappyawesome

Yesterday we did something that was easily one of the coolest things we’ve ever done in Japan. We had a Super Awesome Secret Mission for Anime Expo–we went to the Daruma Factory to get special custom Daruma for this year’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Modern Traditions, Video | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments