Twentythree

Hello Ohtani.

Recently, I’ve been noticing a lot of guys around town sporting haircuts very similar to baseball’s living legend Shohei Ohtani. It makes perfect sense of course. I imagine any man would gladly put themselves in the shoes of Japan’s premier sports star, or possibly the shoes of his wife, depending on how that particular man rolls.

Our editor Go Hatori is no different and was even inspired by Ohtani’s famous discipline and respect for a good night’s sleep. Go himself tried to emulate that championship lifestyle and hit the hay earlier. It didn’t work at all, but it was still inspiring.

So, he figured if he couldn’t act like Ohtani, maybe he could look like him. That being said, Ohtani makes roughly 10.25 million yen (US$65,727) per hour, so copying his exact fashions would be difficult for our humble writer. However, Go had one thing the MLB All-Star did not: an extensive knowledge of 100-yen store merchandise. With this power, he set out to recreate Ohtani’s look with a budget of 5,000 yen (US$32).

First, he intended to check out leading 100-yen chain Daiso, but found there was also a branch of discount clothing retailer Shimamura in the same building. Since Daiso’s clothing options can be a little sketchy, he decided to check out Shimamura first.

And, he was certainly glad he did. Shimamura’s reasonably priced offerings were nearly enough to complete his entire Ohtani ensemble. He was able to get a Hello Kitty baseball cap for 1,419 yen, a button-up undershirt for 979 yen, a long-sleeved undershirt for 770 yen, and some leggings for 1,089 yen. That would complete the overall outfit for just 4,257 yen in total.

Daiso provided the finishing touches with a belt for 220 yen, hemming tape for 110 yen, a black magic marker for 110 yen, and two blue magic markers for 110 yen each. This would bring his grand total to 4,917 yen, just shy of his initial budget.

Since the World Baseball Classic was just around the corner, Go decided to model his Ohtani look after the player’s uniform for the Japan national team. The crucial element for this was the cap. At first, you might think a Hello Kitty hat was a bad choice for this, but our editor’s keen eyes could see how the “H” could look just like a “J” if you squint at it the right way.

▼ One could more easily mistake it for the sun kanji (日) used in “日本” (“Nihon” [“Japan”]), which wouldn’t be out of place on a Team Japan cap either.

Of course, from there, people’s eyes would naturally gravitate downward, so getting the top just right was also imperative. A suitable short-sleeved button-up shirt was outside of Go’s budget, so he got a three-quarter-length sleeve shirt and did a little tailoring with it.

After cutting off the excess sleeve and applying the hemming tape, it was as good as new!

After that, he applied the pinstripes, logo, name, and numbers using the magic markers. He used a picture of the official uniform for accuracy and was very careful not to use up the ink in the markers because his budget wouldn’t allow for any more.

The pants were even harder to apply straight stripes to.

And with that, a baseball star was born…

Go was initially nervous at first while putting everything on, but once he looked in the mirror, he was quite impressed with how it all came together.

The leggings were the surprise clutch player of this ensemble, and really lent some legitimacy to this possibly being a real baseball uniform.

As he modeled his new look with his colleague Yuichiro, who tried the same experiment but ended up looking like a little league coach, Go began to feel the spirit of the four-time MVP course through his veins.

Yes, just as Ohtani achieved his dream of being a World Series champ with surprising ease, Go too managed to tap into that winning essence of Shotime.

He even remembered that Ohtani bats left…

…but pitches right.

▼ “WBC Shohei Ohtani with 4,917 yen at Shimamura & Daiso”

He even started to think he might be able to go to sleep on time from now on. If he could do that, then it would just be a hop, skip, and a jump to pulling in ten mil an hour too!

Photos ©SoraNews24
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We find out what gives the Naughty Menchi Katsu Burger its unusual name. 

Japanese-born Dom Dom Burger has carved out a niche for itself as an edgy fast food chain, consistently wowing us with out-of-the-norm releases that feature everything from black buns through to Japanese pears.

Now the chain is kicking off another year of weird releases with what may be its most out-there burger yet. Its name, “Wanpaku Menchi Katsu Burger“, perfectly describes its character, as it translates as “Naughty Minced Cutlet Burger“.

What makes this burger so naughty is its unruliness, as the minced cutlet refuses to stay confined within the boundaries of the bun. The cutlet is so big it doesn’t even fit into the advertising poster for it, with the message along the dotted line reading:

▼ “Apologies: It was so naughty it didn’t fit into the frame”.

According to the poster, the cutlet weighs in at 230 grams (8 ounces) and is 21 centimetres (8.3 inches) long, which is a good deal for 690 yen (US$4.42), or 1,090 yen for a set with fries and a drink.

We headed out to our nearest branch to try the burger when it was released on 26 February, and after a five-minute wait after ordering, it was served up to us on a tray with the word “わんぱく” (“wanpaku” or “naughty”) printed on the packaging.

Flipping it around for a first look made us gasp in surprise. It really was as advertised, with the minced meat cutlet boldly spilling out from both sides of the bun.

▼ Releasing the burger out into the wild revealed the true might of this naughty monstrosity.

Lifting the top bun for a closer look, we found a generous mound of shredded cabbage inside, with a slice of cheddar cheese peeking out from underneath it.

▼ The minced meat cutlet was topped with a generous amount of rich demi-glace sauce.

Carefully lifting the cutlet revealed that the demi-glace sauce had also been brushed onto the bottom bun, glistening in a glorious way that promised to deliver bagfuls of flavour.

Cabbage, sauce and cheese are great partners for a crispy fried cutlet, and the proportions here looked to be right on the money.

Satisfied with the look of the burger, it was now time to taste it. Despite being slightly intimidated by its size, we opened our jaws wide and dove in for a bite.

The first thing we tasted was the minced meat cutlet, which totally dominated the palate due to its size and the moist meat juices that oozed out from its crispy casing. After the second bite, though, we were treated to more complexity, as the cabbage played a subtle accompaniment to the meat, creating perfect mouthfuls of crunchy, rich-yet-light flavour.

The key to the burger’s deliciousness is the demi-glace sauce, which brings the umami of the minced meat and the richness of the cheddar cheese together in perfect harmony. It adds just the right amount of sweetness to the mix and enhances the melty juiciness of the burger in a way that’s totally addictive.

The minced meat cutlet, however, remains the star ingredient, firmly outweighing the bun, cabbage, and cheese. Menchi katsu lovers wouldn’t want it any other way though, making this a dream burger for cutlet fans.

This beast blurs the lines between hamburger and a menchi katsu set meal in a way that will make you question the boundaries of both. It makes for a fun and exciting meal, and surprisingly, despite its size it’s incredibly easy to eat.

▼ We were, however, too full to try the other weird burger on the menu – the Shungiku (Chrysanthemum Leaves) Kakiage (Mixed Vegetable Tempura) Burger.

After polishing off the Naughty Menchi Katsu Burger, we felt a pleasant sense of satisfaction. It sat in the belly nicely and lived up to our expectations in terms of appearance and taste, two aspects Dom Dom prides itself on. It’ll only be on the menu for a limited time though, so you’ll want to seek it out now in order to try it…and be prepared to open your jaws as far as you can when you meet it.

Photos©SoraNews24
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The beloved Tokyo souvenir re-introduces chocolate sponge Eevee cakes, along with a collectible keepsake for fans.

If you’ve ever passed through Tokyo station or Haneda Airport, chances are that you might have seen a formation of bright yellow boxes, meaning that you’ve already encountered one of Japan’s most popular edible souvenirs: Tokyo Banana.

Created in 1991, Tokyo Banana has become Japan’s go-to souvenir from the capital, consisting of a soft sponge cake filled with creamy banana custard. It might sound simple, but over two billion Tokyo Bananas have been sold to date, and now they have a cute upgrade.

To celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Tokyo Banana has brought back a fan favorite: Eevee Tokyo Banana, last seen four years ago. However, this time we’re getting more than just the treats, as a limited-edition Eevee Bag Set, containing two boxes of snacks and a tote bag, will also be available.

The Eevee Tokyo Bananas bear the characteristics of a typical Tokyo Banana, but have been elevated to feature a chocolate sponge filled with a banana custard flavored like caramel macchiato. While being a core part of the Eevee Bag Set, they are also available for purchase separately at a price of 1,512 yen (US$9.69) for a box of eight.

▼ Each of the cakes sport adorable Eevee-themed designs.

Then there’s the second delight: langue de chat cookie sandwiches that overflow with chocolate. These crisp, buttery cookies come in both banana yogurt and caramel macchiato flavors. Should you only wish to feast on these cookies, rather than spring for the whole tote bag set, you’ll be looking at a price of 1,296 yen for a box of 12 pieces.

However, for all Eevee lovers out there, you’ll be wanting to get your hands on the Eevee tote bag, which has been designed to make it look like Eevee is waving at you. The bag, which is only available as part of this special set, features long handles, plenty of space, and a subtle Poké Ball in the lining.

There’s just one catch: the quantity of bags is limited. They’re available only from March 1 to mid-April, or while supplies last, so this isn’t a bag you can simply pick up at any time. In case you were hoping to buy a set for several friends or members of your family, sales are limited to three per person.

To get your hands on one, you’ll need to swing by one of their permanent stores, listed below, and part with 3,980 yen.

• JR Tokyo Station Hanagataya Tokyo South Store (inside the ticket gates)
• Tokyo Banana’s (outside the Yaesu Underground Central Gate at JR Tokyo Station)
• Tokyo Banana World Tokyo Gift Palette Store (outside the Yaesu North Gate at JR Tokyo Station)
• Tokyo Banyana Cookies JR Tokyo Station Store
• Tokyo Banana Studio 1F-Studio Daimaru Tokyo Store
• Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Haneda-ya Gate 7 Store (inside the gate area)

There’s also a limited-time store open from March 16 to April 5, 2026 at JR Tokyo Station Gransta Tokyo on the first floor in front of the Shinkansen North Transfer Gate.

The stores above will also be stocking the individual items, but if you’re fine with missing out on the tote bag, the places for purchasing the adorable snacks additionally include:

• JR Shinagawa Station Plusta Gift Shinagawa (inside the south Shinkansen gate)
• JR Omiya Station NewDays Omiya 31 and Mini Omiya 32 (inside the Shinkansen gates)
• JR Shinjuku Station NewDays Shinjuku (outside the gate) and Shinjuku South Exit Central (inside the gate)
• Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Pier 4 (outside the gate), Pier 7 (inside the gate)
• Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Tokyo Shokuhin Kan Clock Tower 1 Mae (outside the gate), Smile Tokyo (outside the gate), and Fa-So-La Taxfree Akihabara (inside the gate)
• Tokyo-Nagoya Expressway Expasa Ebina (Westbound)
• Kan-Etsu Expressway Miyoshi Parking Area (Down)

If you’re a huge Pokémon fan, but can’t make it to Tokyo for the sales period, it’s also possible to order the Eevee Bag Set online from March 2 at 10:00 a.m., with shipping beginning from mid-March.

Food souvenirs from your trip are great for people you know, giving them a taste of local delights without cluttering up their house, but for yourself once you’ve eaten them, there’s often nothing left by which to remember your trip. So for Pokémon lovers, the Eevee Bag Set gets you a charming anniversary collectible, while also having some of Tokyo’s iconic sweets in an upgraded form to share with friends.

Related: Official Online Store, Rakuten, Yahoo Store
Source and images: PR Times
Images ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
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This Obama delicacy impresses with its sashimi-like flavor, which is almost unthinkable for a preserved food.

Despite its popularity among dinosaur enthusiasts, Fukui remains among the more undervisited prefectures of Japan, and even fewer people still manage to make their way out to the small city of Obama in the western reaches of the prefecture. However, aside from its “I love Obama” desserts, there’s a local fish that could outshine Japan’s most famous celebratory fish.

Japan’s food culture is extensive, filled with deeply historical and regional specialities, many of which never leave their hometowns, and Obama has one too: Kodai no Sasazuke (1,836 yen [US$11.72]).

In Japan, sea bream (called tai) is quite a big deal, with the most famous variety, called madai (red sea bream), being traditionally served at weddings and celebrations because its name sounds like medetai (“auspicious” or “joyous”).

▼ Yes, it’s the same “tai” from the delicious fish-shaped dessert taiyaki (which doesn’t actually contain any fish).

While madai is still enjoyed in the coastal Wakasa region of Fukui, where Obama is situated, it’s the variety of renkodai (yellowback sea bream) that is the darling of the region, all thanks to sasazuke.

Sasazuke was developed in the late 19th century, before refrigeration, when fish from the Sea of Japan needed to survive the journey inland to Kyoto along the historic trade route known as the Saba Kaido (Mackerel Road). The solution of the time was to lightly salt the fish, cure it in rice vinegar, and pack it into small cedar barrels, resulting in a preserved product that somehow still manages to taste remarkably fresh.

▼ Nowadays, they come with plastic cups to catch any leakage, since leaks are an intended feature of the design.

Opening up a barrel of Kodai no Sasazuke, there’s no strong fermented smell to be found, nor does it look heavily pickled.

Instead, it resembles sashimi (raw sliced fish) with a light color and firm texture, and the flavor lacks the sour and salty tastes commonly associated with preserved foods, presenting the clean sea bream flavor with an enhanced umami. While it is a marvelous dish just by itself, according to the instructions on the wrapping, it can also be used in sushi, vinegared dishes, or clear soups.

Compared to other contemporary preservation methods, sasazuke must have been revolutionary to the residents of Kyoto who could enjoy the delightful taste of something very close to the fresh seafood that they lacked easy access to.

Even today, sasazuke remains a special part of life, with the cedar barrel making it appear as if it’s some sort of ceremonial offering. Although locals don’t tend to eat it in their everyday lives, it’s pretty common to give it as a gift, even among other Fukui natives.

Pair it with local Japanese sake rice wine, and you’ll find yourself with a bite of luxurious indulgence.

A refined daiginjo (a highly polished rice wine, typically light, smooth, and highly aromatic) made from Fukui’s modern sake rice, Hayaseura’s Sakahomare, offers pear-like aromas and crystal clarity that match perfectly to the umami of the fish.

A slice of sasazuke with wasabi and soy sauce, followed by a sip of Sakahomare sake, is a blissful treat fit for a connoisseur.

Japan has many foods that it is known for, but its culinary charm can often lie far from the tourist trail, in the quiet, regional towns and cities. So, the next time you’re passing through an unfamiliar place, maybe stop and take some time to uncover what delicious delights the area has been keeping to themselves.

Photos ©SoraNews24
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