Twentythree

When you like a cat so much you want to eat its fur.

Cats are beloved the world over, but here in Japan they really love their cats. It’s a love so strong it’s given birth to everything from stickers that smell like cat beliies through to sunscreen that dispenes itself in the shape of a cat paw, and now, dear reader, let us introduce you to “edible cat fur“.

Known officially as “Delicious Cat Fur” by its creators, Necoichi, a company that specialises in cat products, this new offering is designed to look like something that’s been plucked from the back of a calico cat. The cat-like colouring and fluffy texture looks incredibly realistic, but you can breathe a sigh of relief as this “fur” is actually…

▼ … cotton candy!

To be precise, this is said to be cotton candy for cat lovers, as it’s packed with beautiful details that “reflect a deep love for felines”. It’s such a fun and unique product that it’ll appeal to anyone with a fondness for cats, but if you’ve ever wanted to collect your pet’s fur and keep it in a container, or if you’ve ever liked a cat so much you’ve wanted to eat its fur, then this will tip the scales towards being a dream product. You can also share the love with a dedicated message section on the side for gift-giving.

▼ “Our dreams of eating cat fur are finally a reality!”

While the visuals are enough to put cat lovers into a tailspin, the product is also designed to be genuinely delicious. The cotton candy is said to melt lightly on the tongue, and hidden inside are popping candy pieces that crackle in your mouth as you eat it, creating a fun texture that comes with equally fun sound effects.

▼ The promo image for the product reads “We made cat hair”, alongside a speech bubble that says “We love cats too much…” and “This is cotton candy for humans. Cats can’t eat it” as a cautionary note.

With a sweet and sugary aroma, the Delicious Cat Fur is a multi-sensory experience that’ll engage more than just sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch – it’ll engage your sense of imagination as well.

It’s surprisingly realistic for something made of sugar, and is sure to bring a smile to all sorts of cat lovers, from the casual admirer to the full-on feline enthusiast. Released on 30 May, the “Delicious Cat Fur” is available exclusively at the Necoichi Store at Yokohama’s Lalaport shopping centre, priced at 980 yen (US$6.11).

Store information
Necoichi Lalaport Yokohama / 猫壱 ららぽーと横浜
Address: Kanagawa-ken, Yokohama-shi, Tsuzuki-ku, Ikonobecho 4035-1
神奈川県横浜市都筑区池辺町4035-1
Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (weekdays); 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (weekends)
Website

Source, images: Press release
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And no, that’s not Kyoto.

With green tea being the most culturally significant drink in Japan, and Kyoto being considered the heart of the country’s traditional culture, it’s easy to make the assumption that Kyoto must be where most of Japan’s green tea is grown. However, while Kyoto Prefecture does produce Japan’s most famous high-end matcha, the honor of Japan’s number-one green tea grower, in terms of amount grown, actually goes to Shizuoka Prefecture.

So for its newest batch of special green tea snacks and sweets, 7-Eleven Japan is using Shizuoka-grown tea, called Shizuokacha. Specifically, the convenience store chain is using Shizuoka-grown ichibancha, the first picking of the harvest season, when the tea leaves are said to be their most robustly flavorful.

That ichibancha Shizuokacha will be going into such tempting treats as the Ocha Moko, a green tea cream puff with a very verdant filling of green tea cream and sauce, and the Kuzumochi Dorayaki, which sandwiches green tea mousse, an (sweet red beans), and starchy mochi between a pair of pancake-like cakes.

And since green tea can lend itself to Western-style sweets too, 7-Eleven’s Shizuokacha Fair lineup includes a Shizuoka green tea cream-topped chocolate Danish and cake with so much Shizuokacha that 7-Eleven promises it won’t only have the flavor of green tea, but also the aroma of it.

But maybe the most intriguing of all is 7-Eleven Japan’s new green tea musubi (rice ball).

This eye-catching musubi gets its color from mixing Shizuokacha tea leaves in with the rice. The additional ingredients of nori (dried seaweed) and katsuo (bonito) don’t just add appealing complexity to the flavor profile, they’re meant to give you the flavors of ochazuke, a traditional Japanese dish of rice with green tea poured over it, in a handy format that’s easy to eat when you’re on the go.

These items will be available for a limited time, so ordinarily this is where we’d tell you to rush to the nearest 7-Eleven Japan branch. However, as part of an initiative to support smaller farms and promote consumption of locally grown produce, the Shizuokacha rice ball and above-mentioned Japanese sweets are only available at 7-Eleven branches in Shizuoka Prefecture (the Danish and cake can be found at branches in Shizuoka’s neighbor, Yamanashi Prefecture, as well). So instead, we’ll tell you to hurry to Shizuoka, which, if you’re into green tea, definitely deserves a spot in your Japan travel plans.

Source, images: PR Times
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Better living through chrome-plated balls.

A lot of negative things have been said about pachinko over the years. The pinball-like game’s parlors are noisy, garish blights on communities that encourage quasi-gambling and rudely told me to go away when I tried to use their free bicycle pump a few times. But they do have their positive points as well. For example, they weren’t nearly the vectors of contagious disease that everyone thought they were.

Now the game is also changing the lives of people with disabilities in assisted care living facilities, thanks to Global Standard, a company based in Gunma Prefecture that specializes in repurposing gaming machines for use as specialized health equipment.

The pachinko market is highly competitive, and it is important for a parlor to have a high turnover of machines, as new machines always draw big crowds. This means that older machines need to be removed to make room for the new ones, even though they’re in perfectly good condition. Global Standard saw this as an opportunity to acquire quality machinery that would otherwise go to waste.

▼ Although I usually hate the aesthetics of pachinko machines, they do kind of brighten up rooms like this.

After acquiring the machines, the company modifies them with patented techniques to encourage voluntary physical activity rather than having staff make them come out of their rooms for exercise. To do this, the machines are controlled by regular rehab equipment, such as a grip strengthener or foot pedal, depending on the player’s physical ability. Usage is also recorded so staff can monitor the residents’ exercise time precisely.

Another aspect of Global Standard’s work that makes this different from a typical donation of gaming equipment is that it’s a circular business model. Because of the pachinko industry’s high machine turnover, it uses an extensive recycling system to reduce costs and waste. Normally, if a machine is donated somewhere, it exits this cycle and would probably be thrown away at the end of its life, but Global Standard also oversees the removal from facilities and ensures the pachinko machines go back into their regular cycle of life.

One such machine was installed in the disability support facility Katsura-so in Gunma Prefecture. As a result, staff reported that residents who rarely left their rooms now come out on their own to play the pachinko machine. They also said that residents are interacting more and seem genuinely happier overall. Not only that, but after a report by NHK, interest in Katsura-so shot up, and other facilities have also expressed interest in similar machines.

Reactions in online comments have been mixed, with some hoping they get similar machines if they ever end up in assisted living conditions and others arguing that pachinko, even with the gambling element removed, could be an addictive game with the potential to create problems rather than solve them.

“That is true recycling. Do slot machines next!”
“That’s a good idea. It’s better than the kids’ games they make those people play.”
“But is pachinko fun without the gambling? Hopefully, they can trade the balls for pudding or something.”
“I hope they disable the annoying sounds those things make.”
“I’d pay money for one of those.”
“Is this a good thing? I’m not sure going from shut-in to pachinko addict is an upgrade.”
“They’ll only get the machines that were flops, like Gundam SEED.”
“They’re just making more pachinko addicts.”

The concern that pachinko is considered an addictive pastime is valid, but the real dopamine kick from playing the game in its natural environment is the ability to win or lose money from it. In other words, pachinko addiction essentially a gambling addiction on par with sports betting or casino games, wherein players constantly chase the dragon of expecting that next play to be the big one they’ve been waiting for.

Because of that, in an effort to capitalize on this addiction, the makers of these machines also go all out in trying to design them to be as attention-getting as possible with dazzling visuals and popular IPs. They are also designed to be as comfortable to play as possible, so gamblers don’t experience fatigue and can stay at the machines longer to feed them money.

▼ The machines do everything they can to take your mind off the repetitive action of a grip strengthener.

All of these shady tactics to drain real-world pachinko players of their money coincidentally work in the favor of Global Standard and care facilities. It makes the games highly appealing, comfortable, and engaging, but by removing the monetary aspect, it stops short of being a clinical gambling disorder and resides more on the level of something like Candy Crush in terms of addictiveness.

That might still not sound ideal when it comes to caring for people with disabilities, but I know if my time ever comes to enter such a facility, I’d want the one with real games rather than pat-a-cake, even if it is, ugh, pachinko.

Source: MyNavi News, PR Times (1, 2, 3), Hachima Kiko
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: PR Times (1, 2)
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A new style of Japanese dessert revolutionises convenience store sweets, but it comes with a safety warning.

You’ll find a lot of matcha lattes in Japan, but over at 7-Eleven you’ll find one that comes with a risk of choking. It’s a drink so hazardous it comes with a safety warning, and it’s all due to one ingredient and the way it’s designed to be consumed.

The latte is part of a new style of dessert called “Mazemaze Sweets“, which takes its name from the Japanese verb “mazeru”, meaning “to mix” or “to stir”. Despite being known as the “Matcha Latte Warabi Mochi Iri” (“Matcha Latte with Warabi Mochi“) in Japanese, the English name, “Matcha Bracken-Starch Jelly, Matcha Milk & Whipped Cream” makes no reference to it being a latte at all.

In one sense, it is a straight-up dessert, with a layer of matcha-flavoured warabi mochi (bracken-starch jelly) in the bottom, a smooth “matcha milk” in the middle, and a fluffy layer of whipped cream on top. However, these layers are designed to be mixed together and then sipped through the attached straw.

▼ This “mix-and-drink” concept lets you change the flavour and texture while you drink it.

The warabi mochi adds an exciting texture to the drink while also giving it a traditional Japanese feel. However, warabi mochi is usually consumed in bite-sized pieces with a spoon or fork, rather than with a straw, because sucking them up might create a choking hazard as the springy, slippery and slightly gummy pieces could become lodged in the throat. That’s why 7-Eleven has issued a warning with each product, which reads: “Warning: Choking hazard. Please chew thoroughly before swallowing.”

▼ The choking hazard is also present in the new “Ichigo Milk Warabi Mochi Iri” (“Strawberry Milk with Warabi Mochi”), or Strawberry Bracken-Starch Jelly, Milk & Whipped Cream, which is being released at the same time.

This dessert combines chewy strawberry-flavoured warabi mochi with rich milk cream, fluffy whipped cream, and a topping of strawberry sauce. The sweet-tart strawberry sauce contains pieces of real strawberry, adding a juicy texture that complements the chewy warabi mochi, and as the layers are mixed together, the flavours and textures evolve with every sip, creating a rich and satisfying dessert experience from start to finish.

▼ Due to be released on 16 June at 7-Eleven stores nationwide, excluding Okinawa, the new Mazemaze Sweets will retail for 430 yen (US$ 2.68).

While the new desserts sound like a fun new way to enjoy some familiar flavours, you might be asking: “If slurping warabi mochi with a straw presents a risk of choking, why even sell these at all?” Well, according to the development team, the desserts are designed to combine the convenience of an on-the-go treat with the satisfaction of a full dessert experience, and judging by what they’ve produced, there was no skimping on recreating the dessert experience.

The straw element puts these somewhere between a drink and dessert, but it’s important to heed the warnings and sip responsibly, taking care to chew the warabi mochi pieces. With people dying every year from choking on mochi, a similarly sticky traditional confection, these warnings are issued out of neccesity, so be careful when trying this matcha latte.

Source, images: Press release
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Universal Studios Japan made our Frieren fan cry, and she’s very OK with that.

The original concept for Universal Studios was to give theme park visitors a taste of Hollywood movie magic, but many of the biggest draws at Universal Studios Japan are its Japanese video game and anime partnerships. The latest entry into what’s collectively called Universal Cool Japan just kicked off and it gives fans a chance to step into, and walk around in, the world of fantasy anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

The main attraction of the collaboration is the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Story Walk: Journey of Remembrances. This is a walk-through environment in which you’ll retrace Frieren’s steps, visiting scenes and locations from the anime recreated through dynamic lighting, sounds effects, voices, and projection mapping. Aside from the titular heroine, you’ll encounter other members of the cast including her traveling companions Fern and Stark.

Our Japanese-language reporter and passionate Frieren fan Marie Morimoto recently took this journey and was thoroughly enchanted. Some of the scenes are funny, some are touching, and the final stop on the journey was so moving that she didn’t just get choked up, she actually shed some tears.

▼ Video preview for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Story Walk: Journey of Remembrances

After Marie wiped the tears from her tears, though, it was time to attend to her stomach, so it was off to the Restaurant of Remembrances, as Universal Studios Japan’s Lost World restaurant has been renamed while it’s occupied by the Frieren franchise.

The vibe here is that of a fantasy tavern where adventurers can grab grub while reminiscing about their most recent adventure or planning their next. The menu includes such hearty fare as the Frieren Beef Plate with Red Wine Demi-glace Sauce, with, as Marie learned when she took a bite, features delightfully tender meat. There’s also an Eisen and Heiter Hamburger Steak and Fish and Chips Plate, and as a salute to Frieren’s soft spot for sweets, the Freiren Cherry and Blueberry Parfait, which includes an elegant butterfly-motif spoon to take home with you.

To drink, Marie opted for the Fragrant Flower Frieren White Soda. In Japan, the term “white soda” usually refers to a fizzy soft drink with a mildly sweet yogurt base (basically Calpis/Calpico, but from a different manufacturer), but the Frieren White Soda has a dash of sky blue color to, matching the hair color of the hero Himmel.

And of course, this wouldn’t be a proper collaboration without some special exclusive merch, would it? On that end, Universal Studios Japan has cute character hair bands with Frieren and Himmel plushies attached, and also plushie straps/key holders.

If you want to get more romantic, there’s a Pair Necklace so that you and your sweetheart can wear complementing accessories.

And there are also gacha/blind-box key chains and standee props.

▼ Though we’d call magical rods of this length “staffs” in English, the box’s text calls them “wands,” and actually in fantasy anime/video games they’re pretty much both called tsue in Japanese.

▼ A cool design point on the collaboration’s key art illustration is that the gate behind Frieren is the entrance to Universal Studios Japan.

In addition to all this, the Frieren crew are also part of Universal Studio’s Hollywood Dream the Ride roller coaster, with one of the selectable audio tracks now being a tale of Frieren encountering some mythical feathered beasts.

Universal Studios Japan’s Frieren collaboration is going on now and continues until January 11.

Related: Universal Studios Japan
Photos ©SoraNews24
(C)山田鐘人・アベツカサ／小学館／「葬送のフリーレン」製作委員会
TM & (C) 2026 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
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How to buy the new viral convenience store coffee that locals are raving about.

Ever since 7-Eleven introduced coffee-making machines at its branches in 2013, the chain has cemented itself in the convenience store landscape as the place to go for coffee. What became known as the “Seven Cafe” brand soon expanded to include other products like freshly brewed tea and smoothies, but now its coffee is back in the spotlight, after the chain released a super creamy version that locals have been raving about on social media.

Called the Creamy Iced Cafe Latte, this new drink is only available at select Seven Cafe stores – so-called as they’re equipped with machines that dispense the branded drinks – and you’ll know if you can purchase it if you see the option for “creamy” after pressing the “cafe latte” button on the machine. When we headed out to try it, we had to visit four stores before we eventually struck gold, and as the golden brown liquid formed in our cup, we could see that it lived up to its online reputation for being super creamy, thanks to the extra generous portion of milk.

7-Eleven prides itself on the “Extra Rich Milk” used in its lattes, as it contains milk, skimmed condensed milk, and cream sourced from Hokkaido, Japan’s premier dairy region. With a richer flavour and aroma than regular milk, it’s said to be the perfect pairing for the chain’s freshly ground coffee, offering a gentle, natural milk flavour while maintaining a clean, refreshing aftertaste.

The extra creamy latte contains way more extra rich milk than a standard version – the coffee-to-milk ratio appeared to be about 2:8 – so we were very curious to find out how it would taste.

After taking a sip, we were immediately sold on the texture and flavour. It was incredibly rich and almost entirely made of milk, with the aromatic taste of freshly ground coffee appearing after the fluffy, smooth dairy parted ways on the palate, like the sun peering through clouds. It was incredibly full-bodied, and the gentle sweetness came entirely from the milk so you don’t even need to add any sugar. Despite the rich sweetness, though, it had a surprisingly clean aftertaste.

The extreme creaminess might not be for everyone, especially espresso lovers with stronger tastes, but for people who appreciate what milk brings to a cup of coffee, and those who like the frothy visual appeal, this is likely to become your new go-to order.

It’s also surprisingly good for times when you’re hungry, as the drink turned out to be very filling due to the high milk content. So you might want to start off by sticking to a regular size instead of a large for now, as that will leave you with a little more room in your belly for the chain’s new chocolate chip yokubari and sakura bread fruit sandwiches.

Photos ©SoraNews24
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Hello Kitty and friends imagined what their perfect hotel would be like, and they’re inviting you in.

Sanrio fans planning to visit Tokyo later this summer will want to make sure to include the Hotel Floria in their plans. You’ll notice though, that we’re not saying that you should stay at the Hotel Floria, because it’s not actually a hotel, at least not in the traditional people-can-spend-the-night-there sort of way.

Instead, Sanrio Characters Exhibition Hotel Floria Tokyo is an immersive art event where visitors can tour the rooms of a hotel dreamt up by Hello Kitty and friends including My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin. After checking in at the event’s font desk, you can receive keys that grant you access to explore guestrooms reflecting each different characters’ personalities and aesthetic tastes, as well as a garden area and ballroom.

▼ Hello Kitty’s room, decked out with roses and apples

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Each of them promises to be an adorable, fashionable photo space, and the vives look to be especially cozy in the pink sunset room, which has an actual sand floor for you to sit on while you relax with Kitty-chan.

Hotel Floria is produced by Seoul-based digital design and art company D’strict, and while fans in Korea got to experience the exhibit first, this summer it’ll be making its Japanese debut. And yes, there’s an attached merch shop with exclusive items, many of them featuring the event’s character room keys as their visual motif.

Sanrio Characters Exhibition Hotel Floria Tokyo runs from July 15 all the way to May 31 of next year, so you’ve got some time to figure out how to slot a visit into your itinerary. The exhibition will be held inside the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, near Shinjuku Station in downtown Tokyo. Adult admission is 2,400 yen (US$15) on weekdays or 2,600 yen on weekends and holidays, with kids tickets ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 yen and children 3 and under admitted free. Reservations can be made through online ticketing service Eplus here.

Related: Sanrio Characters Exhibition Hotel Floria Tokyo official website
Source, images: Press release
Images ©2026 Sanrio Co., Ltd. (approval no. P180519-3)
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