The first time I went to Shirokuma Cafe (Polar Bear’s Cafe) in Tokyo’s Takadanobaba neighborhood, I was shaking. Shirokuma Cafe is one of my favorite shows, and after I learned there was a real cafe, it became my life’s mission to go. I’m happy to report that I went and…
Welcome to 2017! My new year’s resolution is to take better care of myself. Both superficially (being kinder to my skin), mentally (not being so hard on myself), and from the inside out (cooking more and not eating so recklessly). It’s a bonus when I can keep up with my…
You usually don’t have to play hide and seek with Osomatsu-san when in Japan. They come to you. They’re everywhere. Their big eyes watch you from every shop window, you hear Iyami singing in every Tower Records, you hear the opening themes blaring from the open door of every arcade…
UPDATE Find an updated version of this post, with many more locations here! When in Japan, all otaku make Akihabara their first destination. But did you know that Ikebukuro is a better bet if you lean more on the side of series catered to women? Ikebukuro anime stores are not…
One thing I’m insanely jealous of is Japan’s incredibly involved ways of catering to their audience. Osomatsu-san, being at the height of its popularity when I was over in Tokyo last March, had tons and tons of collaborations all around the city, and my favorite was most definitely the collaboration…
