Japan

videos and pictures and all Japanese related items

Fuji TV’s Rafu-kun

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Fuji Television: Rafu-kun

A small blue dog who is a tad goofy but rather passionate and devoted.
Laugh loves music, especially the Beatles. 
Always on the lookout for something new, 
Laugh loves to browse the web on his laptop wherever he goes.

Pal: Chibi the cat 
Favorite Food: Hot Dogs
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Puppy Rafu-kun is the Fuji Television mascot whose name is derived from the English word “laugh” and was originally a character for a TV show broadcast in 1998. You can find Rafu these days on all sorts of adverts and available in many types of products, but his background has not yet been made public in much detail.
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On the island of Odaiba stands the Fuji TV building.
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We have been to Odaiba every time we go to Japan, but last September (2014) was the first time we ever noticed Rafu-kun.
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He was everywhere, from the stairs to all the booths,Nooks and even on logs.
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He is on the ticket to the observation deck of Fuji TV.
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I only wish I knew who designed him. Stay tuned to our YouTube channel where we will show you a lot more from Odaiba and Fuji TV.

Myth of Tomorrow

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While walking through Shibuya Mark city you will see a massive painting

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Lost for decades in Mexico, Taro Okamoto’s 30m-long mural was recovered and moved to a new home in 2008: the station concourse inside Shibuya Mark City. Sometimes compared to Picasso’s Guernica, The Myth of Tomorrow depicts the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as an eruption of vibrant colours, centering around a skeletal figure caught in the blast. The work’s atomic associations were brought home in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi meltdown, when art collective Chim↑Pom pasted an image of the stricken nuclear reactors in one corner of the painting

to get more of an understanding of this piece please read this

Address

Shibuya Mark City, 1-12-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Transport Shibuya Station (Yamanote, Ginza, Hanzomon, Fukutoshin, Tokyu Toyoko, Denentoshi, Keio Inokashira lines)

Gundam cut in Japan

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ガンダム カット” , “Gundam Cut.” is a Gundam-themed barber shop in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. 

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Located far north of Tokyo,

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This barber shop doesn’t actually have Gundam inspired hair cuts, but what they do have are a ton of Gundams in their driveway.

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The barber himself builds these monstrous mechs for fun and takes him (sometimes) up to a year to complete.
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He said a costumer said “Gundams are cool” and the next thing he knew he has spent 10 years making these magnificent statues.
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A Most Famous Naruto Unmasking

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This was originally posted by Kotaku.

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For years, fans have wondered what was under the ninja’s cowl. Last year, in an interview with Shonen Jump (via Saiyan Island), Kishimoto was asked if was going to show the character’s full face.

“I want to reveal it,” Kishimoto replied. “I’m just not sure yet on how I’ll do it. It might be done in the manga or maybe in an upcoming anime movie, but there is nothing planned as of yet.”

Since then, the character’s entire face hasn’t been revealed. Until now. Kishimoto drew a special manga for the current Naruto exhibit that is being held in Japan.

SPOILER alert

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So, was this the face you all thought it would be? Let us know.

Also check this article for the breakdown of the Naruto exhibit
http://kotaku.com/naruto-exhibit-opening-in-japan-1695919123

new Kit Kat Chocolatory is opening soon in Hokkaido

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new Kit Kat Chocolatory opening up in Hokkaido, with a new flavor  butter.

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Limited-edition sweets pay tribute to local culinary traditions. This is why KitKat is so popular. As one of the few regions of Japan with ample pasture space, Hokkaido is home to a large number of the country’s dairies. That’s why when the newest Chocolatory opens on March 7 in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital city,people will be able to purchase not only traditional chocolate Kit Kats, but also the Chocolatory Special Butter flavor.

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The flavor was picked as the winner in a contest organized by the Tsuji Group culinary school.

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The Special Butter flavor will be available in packs of 12  for 1,200 yen, or in four-piece boxes for 400 yen.

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While there get your Green tea on as well!

Godzilla will scare you in Shinjuku

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Tokyo’s ever-changing urban landscape is about to get a new addition in Kabuki-cho, the glitziest part of Shinjuku’s entertainment district. Scheduled for completion next Aprilis the Toho Cinemas Shinjuku movie complex, replacing the older Shinjuku Toho Kaikan theater which closed down in 2008. At the top of the eight-story building is a terrace where visitors will be able to relax in the open air, marvel at the surrounding skyline, and tower in fear of the Godzilla Head bursting out the roof.

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With the building’s roof being 40 meters high, Godzilla’s head will be standing at just over 50 meters above street level, matching his stature in his 1954 cinematic debut. The plan is for the head to be illuminated at night, and for the head’s eyes and mouth to glow, accompanied by periodic roars.

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Godzilla won’t just be looking hard at moviegoers and pedestrians, though. In the above render, you may have noticed that being built adjacent to the new Toho theater is the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. The hotel’s managers aren’t worried about Godzilla spoiling the view from their guestrooms, though. In fact, they’re counting on him enhancing it, and are already taking reservations for special Godzilla View Rooms, which can be booked here at prices starting from 15,000 yen (US $125) a night for guests checking in from April 24.

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KitKat and the Bullet train

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celebrate the anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen, Nestle and participating retailers along the Tokaido line joined forces to take a break…with Kit Kats! Their special entry into the Kit Kat lineup comes in the form of a very cute N700 series bullet train, the newest train for the Tokaido Line which made its debut in 2007.

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Ripping open the outer package reveals Dr. Yellow, the test train. In Japan, seeing this yellow train means you will have a day of good luck.

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Open up Dr. Yellow and you will be greeted by the 0 series, the very first Shinkansen.

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The candy inside has the flavor of frozen mikan.

What exactly is a mikan? It’s a fruit similar to a tangerine or a mandarin orange and is a very popular winter snack in Japan. Actually, along the Tokaido line, vendors will sell these frozen mikan because they travel so well! Kit Kat has paired their familiar chocolate with the unforgettable taste of the Japanese citrus to create Frozen Mikan Kit Kats.

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