We’re taking a look back at the unforgettable Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, which is sadly still closed in 2024 (despite constant rumours that the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo will reopen, it hasn’t…yet). Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant show in Shinjuku was a pretty crazy spectacle and a total feast for the eyes. Think giant robots, even bigger […]
Category Archives: QUIRKY JAPAN
KAWAII, QUIRKY JAPAN, SHOPPING, STUDIO GHIBLI
Donguri Republic Studio Ghibli Official Stores in Japan + Photos
03
May
May
Donguri Republic is Japan’s official Studio Ghibli store chain, comprising around 40 stores plus mountains of Princess Mononoke merchandise, shedloads of Spirited Away souvenirs and tonnes of Totoro gifts. From Osaka to Tokyo, Fukuoka to Sapporo, these gorgeous Studio Ghibli gift-shops can be found all over Japan. Each store has thousands of different items to […]
06
Mar
Mar
The joy of Japanese vending machines – from hot sauce to horse mackerel, gyoza to gachapon, there is a huge variety of vending machines in Japan to browse and buy from. Open 24 hours and easy to use, no trip to Japan is complete without using a vending machine to buy daily groceries like soft […]
16
Feb
Feb
Have you seen the wolf man of Dotonbori in Osaka? A mythical (and often musical) mascot of mystery wearing a blue hooded coat and wolf-mask, Dotonbori’s Wolfen is a weird and wonderful thing to see in Osaka. From waving at the passengers on the Tomburi River Cruises to removing dirt from Osaka’s streets (literallly, like […]
CONVENIENCE STORES, OSAKA, QUIRKY JAPAN
Cult of Dragon Quest Lawson – a themed convenience store, Osaka
15
Feb
Feb
2025 update – the Dragon Quest Lawson in Osaka has now closed. Game on! We loved themed convenience stores so when he heard about a Dragon Quest themed Lawson in Osaka, we just knew we had to visit for ourselves. A novel thing to do in Nipponbashi, the DragonQuest themed konbini will bring out your […]
13
Feb
Feb
Heard about the ‘underground’ ninja bar in Tokyo? Asakusa is known being a historic neighbourhood and for the Senso-ji temple, but beneath its streets lies a very unique and unusual thing to do in Tokyo – the subterranean NinjaBar, Tokyo’s top themed ninja bar. A sake and beer bar operated by a secretive and stealthy […]
07
Feb
Feb
Oodles of instant noodles! No trip to Yokohama in Japan is complete without a trip to the famous Nissin Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama. An interactive experience inspired by Japan’s iconic original instant noodles, the Cup Noodles Museum is a must visit for any noodle fans and enthusiasts (aren’t we all!?) From designing your own instant […]
23
Sep
Sep
Japan is renowned for its vintage video game shops and retro arcades and is a classic gamer’s heaven. One of Japan’s most famous retro video games shops is Super Potato, with locations in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya including their flagship store in Akihabara. From classic video game consoles like Nintendo NES and Neo Geo to […]
12
Apr
Apr
A visit to a Gachapon / Gashapon toy capsule store is one of the most popular (and fun!) things to do in Japan. Like convenience stores, you are never further than a few metres away from a gashapon vending machine or dedicated store. No trip to Japan is complete without bringing home a quirky or […]