Twentythree

Whether you’re restoring your energy at home or out adventuring in the world, these Hyrulian artifacts will be ready to help.

Nintendo fans already have November 5 circled on their calendars, since that’s when the long-awaited remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time goes on sale for the Switch 2. That’s not the only cool Zelda-related release coming up in November though, with Japanese fashion and interior company Takarajimasha, whose name means “treasure island company,” releasing two creations based on treasure from Nintendo’s fantasy franchise.

The first item is a replica of the coveted Heart Container, which has been extending the hero Link’s maximum life bar since the very start of the series. Takarajimasha’s version is modeled on the version seen in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with its arabesque gold framing.

While this real-world won’t instantly increase your longevity or resilience, it can provide illumination, as it’s actually a 9-centimeter (3.5-inch) tall lamp that produces a warm red glow when switched on.

The designers know that you will want to hold this in your hands, so the lamp can be detached from the base.

▼ Though you’ll have to hum Zelda’s traditional four-note “treasure found” fanfare yourself.

Because of their value and rarity, Heart Containers are something that players search high and low for in exploring the games’ realms, but Takarajimasha also wants to salute the most common of Zelda treasures, the humble Rupee.

The green Ruppe, the smallest-denomination of Hyrulian currency, is something you’ll collect hundreds of, if not thousands, during a playthrough of one of the Zelda games, and yet, it’s still sure to bring a smile to you, or any fellow fans, when one shows up in our world as a zippered silicone pouch.

The designers bill is as a komono ire, a Japanese term whose closest English equivalent would be “accessory pouch,” but really refers to a pouch for storing any small items, such as earbuds, cosmetics, or even bite-sized snacks.

There’s a strap in case you want to use it as a bag charm, and you’ll also find The Legend of Zelda, written in Japanese, on the Rupee’s underside.

A quirk of the Japanese publishing industry is that fashion and lifestyle magazines sometimes come with some sort of fashion/lifestyle item bundled with them. Sometimes these are so popular that they overshadow the edition of the periodical, so, noticing this, companies like Takarajimasha that specialize in such bundled items sometimes flip the script and make the items the primary product and toss in a mini magazine as a supplementary freebie. Both the Heart Container Interior Light and the Rupee Silicone Pouch are being offered in this format, branded as “Books” and sold together with an eight-page booklet of undisclosed but presumably Zelda-related nature.

The Heart Container light is priced at 3,839 yen (US$24) and the Rupee pouch at 2,992 yen. They both go on sale November 2 and can be ordered, here and here, through the Takarajimasha online shop as well as through select branches of convenience store chain Lawson.

Source: PR Times, Takarajimasha
Top image: Takarajimasha
Insert images: Takarajimasha (1, 2), PR Times
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Combining palanquins and muscle suits to make historic sites accessible for all.

Along the eastern shores of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, in Shiga is the city of Hikone, home to one of only twelve castles in Japan with its original main keep still standing.

However, reaching the top is not a casual stroll, being guarded by 140 steep, irregular stone steps explicitly designed to exhaust invading samurai, and now those same steps present a modern dilemma.

Being a National Special Historic Site, and a possible candidate for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status in 2028, how can the site be made more accessible for visitors who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments, especially when pouring concrete ramps over 17th-century masonry isn’t exactly an option that would be enthusiastically received?

On October 19, Hikone City staff and volunteers conducted a trial, where they took turns acting as carriers, carrying wheelchair users up to the main enclosure (honmaru) using a traditional wooden mountain palanquin (yamakago). The trek covered a 285-meter (935-foot) round-trip with a 50-meter (165-foot) vertical rise and an average 18-percent incline, which is not an easy feat for two people to do.

So, to lighten the load for the team of six carriers, trial participants strapped on state-of-the-art, non-motorized wearable assist suits, with two wearing the Muscle Suit Soft-Power Easy-Lift and four equipping the Mediaid Firm Guard Waist EX Hard.

▼Muscle Suit Soft-Power Easy-Lift

▼Mediaid Firm Guard Waist EX Hard

The reaction from the carriers was enthusiastic, receiving comments like:
“Because I injured my lower back in the past, wearing it gave me a real sense of security.”
“It is attached at the base of the knees, but when standing upright it is loose, so it does not get in the way of going up and down the stairs.”
“The moment I took it off, I realized just how much it had been helping me.”

Standing up while balancing a palanquin on your shoulders normally feels like tipping backward, causing some difficulty in maintaining balance, but the back-and-leg support makes rising smooth and stable.

Beyond opening up easier physical access to a historic tourist site, the trial offered a glimpse into an exciting future for Japanese tourism, with accompanying curators explaining the history and scenery of the location, creating an opportunity for visitors to get a taste of what it would be like to travel around the mountain like nobility in the time of the samurai.

Similarly, it could also open up another bucket-list item for many travelers along with sitting on the back of a human-powered rickshaw, being chauffeured around Japan’s historical districts. If wearable assist suits can help bridge the gap between 17th-century architecture and 21st-century accessibility, it opens up countless possibilities for historic castles, mountain temples, and heritage sites all across Japan.

Source and images: PR Times
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Kiki’s Delivery Service scene-stealer is adorably transfixed by Donguri Kyowakoku’s latest homeware offering.

Any branch of Ghibli specialty shop chain Donguri Kyowakoku will be filled with amazing merch from the anime studio’s films, but a few locations are extra-special thanks to their inclusion of items from the Donguri Closet sub-brand. As the name alludes to, Donguri Closet’s focus is on fashion and home décor. The designs have an elegant coziness to them, making them the sort of things that, without being flashy, will catch the eyes of fans as soon as they step into the room…and, in this case, catch the eyes of Kiki’s Delivery Service’s Jiji too.

So what’s got Kiki’s black cat companion so captivated? A recreation of an oil lamp seen in the home of Osono, the kindly baker who Kiki and Jiji rent a room from after arriving in the city where the anime’s story takes place. Though made of resin and ABS for extra sturdiness, the intricate details and delicate coloring give it a look evocative of antique porcelain.

The clear top section of the lamp is made of glass, but since the logistics hassles and safety risks of burning an actual oil lamp can be a hassle to deal with, this is an electric light. The designers have cleverly hid the main power switch on the underside of the base, though, to better sell the illusion of old-timey-ness, and the light can be turned on or off with a tap of your finger thanks to a touch sensor embedded in the lamp.

Officially called the Kiki’s Delivery Service Mini Lamp-Mitsumeru Jiji (“Transfixed Jiji”), the piece is 12.8 centimeters (5 inches) tall and 11.2 centimeters wide, putting it right in that sweet spot where it’s neither too small to be noticed nor too big to be in the way. Priced at 13,200 yen (US$83), it’ll be available at select Donguri Kyowakoku stores in Tokyo (Ikebukuro, Skytree Town Solamachi), Nagoya (Takashimaya Gate Tower Mall), Osaka (Lucua Osaka), Fukuoka (Canal City Hakata), and Sapporo (Sapporo Parco), as well as through the Donguri Kyowakoku online store here starting October 31.

Related: Donguri Kyowakoku location list
Source: PR Times via Nijimen
Images: PR Times
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Once again, there’s a lot of nuance that’s lost in the attempt to be succinct.

As you can probably guess from its name, the Japanese government’s Gender Equality Bureau isn’t a fan of imbalance in interpersonal relationships. What is surprising to many people, though, is the bureau’s assertion that “not paying for any dating expenses” is committing an act of domestic violence.

On its website, the bureau lists four categories of “dating domestic violence.” Examples of “physical violence” are pretty obvious – striking, pulling hair, throwing objects, that sort of thing. “Sexual violence,” the bureau says, includes coerced sex, refusal to use contraception, and nonconsensual naked photography or video recording. “Psychological violence” is described as making insulting or disrespectful remarks, forbidding a romantic partner from seeing their friends, or monitoring their email communications.

It’s bureau discussion of “economic violence,” though, that’s been raising some eyebrows online in Japan this week. While one could argue that this is using the word “violence” in its broadest possible sense, most of the examples are things that would be considered wrong under basic common sense/decency, such as not paying back money borrowed from a romantic partner, taking money from their bank account without permission, and forbidding them to work outside the home or forcing them to quit their job. But then there’s this example of economic violence:

“Not paying for any dating expenses.”

Japan may not have a reputation for being the most chivalrous society, and going Dutch, or warikan, as it’s called in Japanese, is more common in casual dating here than it is in some other countries. That said, it’s not at all unusual for guys to pay for everything on a date with a girl, and the government of Japan saying that this is a form of domestic violence has been provoking a lot of responses online to a recent Twitter post pointing out the bureau’s stance.

“Yeah, it’s practically theft, so it’s obviously a form of domestic abuse.”
“Wait, I’ve never made a girl pay on a date, so does that mean that I’ve been subjected to economic violence in the eyes of the government?”
“There are a lot of guys who are the victim of this kind of domestic abuse.”
“Does this make guys who habitually treat the girl on dates masochists for actively encouraging dating domestic violence?”
“Let’s all make sure to properly split the bill, because the government has said that anything other than that is considered economic violence, OK?”
“That’ll show all those gold-digger girls who hang out in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.”
“This is wonderful for men. I think all us guys are thinking ‘Hey, can’t you pitch in a little?’ but we can’t say it to the girl because we’re trying to look cool.”
“Coerced treating is a crime.”
“I think they mean it’s wrong for both guys and girls to refuse to pay for dating expenses.”

There’s probably at least a little wry humor behind some of those comments, but the last two are the ones that really get to the heart of the matter. As clarified by a spokesperson for the Gender Equality Bureau when this example of economic violence also became a topic of online discussion a few years ago, the bureau recognizes that “Both men and women can be victims of this kind of violence” and that “If both sides are OK with [one person not paying], it’s not domestic violence.” It’s when one person attempts to force their partner to shoulder all of the dating costs against their will that it crosses the line into unacceptable behavior, or when someone demands to be reimbursed for past dating expenses that, at the time, they offered to pay for.

▼ Just like going to a butcher shop on a date is fine if that’s what both you and your sweetheart are into, so too is it OK if you’re in agreement that you’ll be treating her to a half-kilo of ground beef.

In other words, the bureau’s guidelines are more about discouraging someone from unilaterally declaring “We’re going out, and you’re going to pay for me” or becoming verbally abusive if asked to chip in, not shaming someone for consistently accepting offers to be treated. But while we’re on the subject of “other words,” as mentioned above, this is not the first time the vague language used on the bureau’s website regarding who pays on a date has caused confusion, and the list of examples being followed by the declaration that “All of these are violence” leaves the door open to misinterpretation that context and a couple’s specific circumstances are irrelevant. The statement has remained on the site in its current form since 2018, so maybe it’s time for an update that puts a finer point on things.

Source: Gender Equality Bureau, Hachima Kiko, Twitter/@anzuchanw
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
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Each beverage has its own unique character so you can choose which one you’d like to party with.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Starbucks is bringing the party spirit to its stores in Japan with a trio of new drinks based around the theme of “Let’s par-TEA!” As the name suggests, the three new holiday drinks shine a spotlight on tea, with strawberry, royal milk tea and Earl Grey chocolate featuring in the beverages.

The three stars of this tea party each have their own distinct character, so you can choose the one that best suits your mood. Those wanting an elegant pick-me-up can opt for the Joyful Medley Strawberry Creamy Tea Latte, which combines robust black tea with the smooth sweetness of oolong tea and the floral fragrance of jasmine tea, finished with a subtle hint of apricot.

▼ Joyful Medley Strawberry Creamy Tea Latte (Tall size only, 638 yen [US$4.03] for takeout; 650 yen for dine-in)

The blended tea base is joined by sweetened fresh cream and a topping of strawberry-flavoured mousse and freeze-dried strawberries. The rich aroma of the chain’s famous Joyful Medley blend, which is reminiscent of apricot jam, is layered with creamy sweetness, while the finish remains refreshing, allowing you to enjoy a variety of tastes and aromas throughout the beverage.

▼ Earl Grey Chocolate Frappuccino (Tall size only, 678 yen takeout; 690 yen dine-in)

Those wanting a little more playfulness can reward themselves with this tea-and-chocolate Frappuccino, which combines aromatic Earl Grey with rich chocolate sauce and crunchy chocolate chips. It has a mellow, layered flavour, with the gentle fragrance of bergamot and the taste of black tea spreading through the palate with every sip, while the chocolate chips add crunchy textural contrast, capturing the playful spirit of the holiday season.

▼ Royal Milk Tea (609 yen takeout; 620 yen dine-in)

Finally, we have a rich, blended milk tea that combines milk with an original blend of three teas: Darjeeling, Assam and Ceylon. The full-bodied flavour of the tea harmonises with the mellow creaminess of the milk, creating a rich and rewarding taste that tea lovers will fall in love with.

As an extra special holiday treat, Starbucks is also adding a cookie option, so you can add more flavour and a dash of cuteness to any iced beverage that’s topped with whipped cream or mousse foam.

▼ Be a Santa Cookie Topping (69 yen takeout; 70 yen dine-in)

The “Be a Santa Cookie Topping” has a buttery aroma and crisp yet crumbly shortbread texture. The three designs – a present, a Christmas tree and a Santa hat – are provided at random so, like a Christmas present, you won’t know what you’re getting until it’s given to you by the barista.

While the cookie topping will be available while stocks last from 2-19 November, the drinks will be on the menu for a limited (but unspecified) time from 2 November.

Source, images: Press release  
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You can trust this tanuki to be as sweet on the inside as it looks on the outside.

In Japanese folklore, tanuki are tricksters. There’s nothing they love more than playing pranks on us unsuspecting humans, and that image of them even extends to Japanese cuisine. “Tanuki soba” and “tanuki udon” are styles of noodles topped with tempura flakes only, because those crafty racoon dogs have tricked you by already eating the shrimp or veggies that would ordinarily be inside the tempura.

But at the same time, tanuki are really, really cute, and thankfully it’s this aspect that Japanese bakery Kimuraya has chosen to focus on for the treats that’ll be coming out of their ovens next month.

Called Tanuki-kun (-kun being a form of address in Japanese that’s friendlier and more familiar than -san), these baked goods are the polar opposite from tanuki soba/udon in terms of filling generosity. Inside the bun is a mixture of caramel cream and chocolate chips, promising a richly sweet and satisfying flavor profile with an interesting texture too.

On the outside, the tanuki’s facial features are made of chocolate, and the mask-like marking around its eyes, and part of its ears too, are rendered with a chocolate biscuit dough.

Kimuraya is a little on the premium-priced side for a Japanese bakery, and the 400-yen (US$2.50) Tanuki-kun is likewise a little more expensive than the average bakery treat, but with something that looks this delicious and adorable, we can make room in our snack budget. The Tanuki-kun goes on sale at Kimuraya bakeries from November 1, but can also be ordered through the Kimuraya online store as of October 28.

Related: Kimuraya location list, online store
Source, images: PR Times
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Play that fung-ky music.

From creepy penguins hatching from eggs to flying balls of chaos, Japan likes to jump on the latest quirky trends, and if history is anything to go by, people will soon be putting fungi in their ears. If you have ever browsed the snack aisle of a Japanese convenience store, there’s a chance that you might have encountered Kinoko no Yama, bite-sized treats consisting of a crunchy biscuit stem topped with a chocolate mushroom cap. Now, imagine putting one in your ear.

Rather than being the latest dietary trend, or attempting to commune deeper with nature through the chocolate mycelia, what appears to be the start of a fungal colony growing out of your head is in fact the second-generation Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Pro, a tech accessory that looks like you’re using actual confectionery as audio equipment.

The concept originally started as a playful visual joke on social media, but after an overwhelming response from netizens demanding to know where they could buy a pair, Kagomedia collaborated with Kinoko no Yama’s maker Meiji to turn them into a reality. The first batch of 3,500 units launched on the Japanese crowdfunding platform Makuake in early 2024 and famously sold out in a shocking ten minutes.

▼ Achieving 9,836 percent of its one million yen goal.

Two and a half years later, these chocolate earbuds are making a comeback from November 1, with a new revival project for the updated 2027 Pro model. If the campaign sees at least 1,000 people pledge that they want a pair, the second generation will officially go into production, but this time they will be made-to-order without a strict limit on quantities, so all those who want will be able to get their hands and ears on them.

Despite looking like a novelty gimmick, these earbuds pack some serious tech, with upgraded audio tuning and gold-plated touch sensors. The most ambitious feature though is the built-in AI simultaneous translation covering 144 global languages and dialects. So while you might look like you’re trying to store your snacks in your ears for later to onlookers, you could be able to understand nearly 150 languages in real time.

The case itself is designed to mirror the original snack box, complete with a pop-up tray where the two little mushrooms rest inside.

If you, like your 3,500 predecessors, want some fungi in your head, you’ll need to check out Makuake on November 1 at 12:00 p.m., where for the first 24 hours, the first 1,000 pairs of earphones will be sold at the same price as the first-generation (29,800 yen [US$188.96]). The next 2,000 pairs can be bought for 31,800 yen, and the following 2,000 for 33,000 yen. The last possible discount is for 3,000 pairs at 34,800 yen before each unit is sold for its regular price of 36,300 yen with no quantity limits as long as the order is placed before December 13, 2026, after which you will not be able to purchase these any more.

Whether you find the design quirky or strange, it’s a high-quality blend of everyday Japanese pop culture with high-tech innovation, so there’s no need to panic the next time you spot someone on the train with mushrooms sprouting from their ears.

Related: Crowdfunding Campain
Source and images: PR Times
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