New Year's Fingering

This is a sketch about getting fingered at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Enjoy!

New Year's Fingering


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Happy New Year from SoraNews24!

Is anyone else craving pork cutlets and tonkotsu ramen?

Japan’s position near the International Date Line means that not only does New Year’s come early to the SoraNews24 office, so does New Year’s Vacation!

Today, we’re making like the staff of a certain ramen restaurant and taking the day to relax and spend time with friends and family. Whether you’re ringing in 2018 partying the night away, traveling, getting up bright and early to watch 2019’s first sunrise, or just having a video game grudge match at home, we wish you and yours all the very best.

Have a happy Year of the Boar (hopefully without getting attacked by one), and thank you all so much for visiting our site over the last 12 months. We can’t wait to bring you more interesting and exciting stories in the 12 to come!

Photo ©SoraNews24



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Workers’ mental health more important than 2 million yen as ramen chain closes for New Year’s

500-restaurant chain closes all branches to give employees’ time to spend with families at New Year’s.

With roughly 500 branches serving up tasty noodles, the Korakuen ramen chain is a great place for a quick, hot meal (like its chashu ramen, pictured above), especially during the chilly winter months. Just don’t plan to go on New Year’s Eve or Day.

Traditionally, businesses across Japan would shut down for several days at New Year’s, as pretty much the whole country went back to their home towns to spend time with their parents and extended family. In recent generations, though, more and more consumer-oriented businesses have been staying open through the holiday season. That’s a trend that Korakuen’s president, Noboru Niida, is hoping to reverse.

In a statement posted on Korakuen’s website, Niida said that he’ll be closing every single restaurant in chain for a day and a half , even though doing so will lose the company, by his estimate, 200 million yen [US$1.77 million] in sales.

Niida’s statement reads:

“We’re not sure when exactly it started, but a lot of restaurants have started staying open during the New Year’s season. Even we here at Korakuen promote ourselves as a ramen chain that’s open every day of the year.

Revenue is, of course, very important for a business. Stock prices are also very important. But there’s something else that’s far more important than either of those. It’s the emotional well-being of our employees, and I want to make protecting that the first action I take as the new president of this company, even if it means losing 200 million yen.

Working in the service industry doesn’t mean working while everyone else in the country is taking time off. People who work in the service sector have families too, and it’s fair for them to have time off at New Year’s too. And so, for the first time in the 64 years since our company was founded, we’re giving our employees, who spend every day working so hard, time off on the night of December 31, as well as all of January 1, by closing our restaurants on those days.

Improving working conditions in Japan means improving them at New Year’s too. I hope that this decision will become at least a small force for change.

I’d like to wish not just our customers, but also our employees, a happy and enjoyable New Year’s, and we hope you’ll continue to dine with us in the coming year.”

And so all Korakuen branches closed at 3 p.m. on December 31, and won’t open again until January 2.

▼ See you on Wednesday!

In a country where dangerous levels of overwork are often shrugged off with the attitude of “Can’t be helped. Gotta protect the bottom line,” and also one where leaving the office before your coworkers often carries a tinge of shame, Niida’s decision is a bold, and in many ways, heartwarming one. Granted, critics could argue that it’s a bit rooted in old-fashioned social norms. The custom of going back home for New Year’s is less prevalent these days than it once was, and with more singles living alone than at any other time in Japan’s history, some of them would probably choose putting in a shift at work and earning some extra cash over sitting at home with nothing to do on New Year’s Day. But for all those who’d rather start the New Year off in the company of friends and family, or even just loafing about on their own, as opposed to cooking and serving ramen for a bunch of strangers, Korakuen’s new policy is definitely something to be happy about.

Source: Korakuen via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Korakuen
Insert image: Korakuen



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Recent opening dash of 2018 Winter Comiket the last in the Heisei era, new race tactic observed

Never underestimate the power of the elevator.

Besides enjoying all the anime, manga, video games and cosplay at the biannual comic convention known as Winter Comiket, early birds can also witness a mad rush dubbed as “The Running of the Nerds”.

The unofficial event is the result of eager attendees charging out of the first train towards the ticket gates, with this year’s Winter Comiket dash marking the last in the Heisei era as the Emperor will be abdicating the throne next year.

▼ And as the video below shows, the dash is still as exciting as ever.

Audiences gathered outside the ticket gates to watch the spectacle, but unlike previous years, a secret weapon had been employed: the elevator. As the doors opened, out came what would be the first winners of the race. One attendee even pumped his fists victoriously as if he had won a marathon at the ten-second mark of the video.

The main group of people arrived a few moments later, scrambling their way to the golden gates in an immense human wave. One spectator can be seen waving a hand to bid farewell to the last Heisei-era dash.

▼ Even in the midst of all this madness,
everyone scanned their train cards on the readers like proper law-abiding citizens.

▼ Spectators who could not get prime positions in the station
managed to get a piece of the action outside.

Japanese netizens responded with amusement:

“And to think there are people who arrive even earlier to film them.”
“The elevator turned out to be the fastest by a long margin.”
“Whenever I watch such videos, I can’t help but think that our country is so peaceful.”
“I laughed when someone cheered for them. They’ve become athletes.”
“I saw myself in the video!”

The Comiket tradition of hurtling towards the ticket gates has slowly become a spectator sport, with this year introducing a new element in the form of the formidable elevator. Fortunately for attendees, the conspicuous red shirt-wearing predator has not made an appearance this time around.

Source: Hachima Kiko
Featured image: Twitter/@kimarium



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Japan’s number-one cosplayer is ready for hundreds of close-ups as she summons huge Comiket crowd

Fans get out their zoom lenses as Enako’s outdoor photo session salutes one of anime’s most beloved magical girls.

If you were going to use two words to describe Comiket, they’d be “busy” and “crowded.” As the biggest event for fan-produced anime and manga art, many of the items on sale are only available in extremely limited quantities, and since shoppers are competing with so many other hard-core otaku, the typical attendee experience is hurriedly rushing from one jam-packed booth to another before the stuff you want is sold out.

And yet, a huge number of fans carved out a block of time in their schedules during the Winter 2018 Comiket and gathered in a spot where one person had a vast amount of space all to herself.

Standing in the center of that ring of appreciative camera lenses is Enako, commonly referred to as “Japan’s number-one cosplayer” for her unparalleled ability to draw crowds wherever she appears in costume.

▼ Enako’s next-level cosplay skills seem to have evolved to the point where she can summon dramatic winds to make her outfit look even cooler, if this video is anything to judge by.

While Comiket has an official cosplay area just outside the exhibit halls of its Tokyo Big Sight venue, Enako’s audiences are so large that she holds for-fans photos sessions in the middle of a grassy field. For this Comieket iteration, that took place on Day 2 of the event, when Enako stepped out into the sunshine wearing the Ultimate Madoka costume of Puella Magi Madoka Magica’s heroine, Madoka.

▼ The character design itself may be several years old at this point, but Enako’s take on it is every bit as enchanting as the awesome life-sized Ultimate Madoka statue.

▼ A studio shot of Enako’s Ultimate Madoka outfit

While Enko’s meticulous makeup and expertly crafted wig had plenty of cameras focused on her face, there’s some astonishing detail to be found if you take a closer look at her costume, including an incredible set of angelic winged shoes and high socks with a color rivaling the digitally pained animation cels of their anime inspiration.

Pro that she is, Enako patiently rotated about in the center of the circle of attention, making sure that fans could photograph her smile regardless of which of the 360 degrees they were standing at.

This wasn’t even Enako’s only cosplay project for the day, either. On Day 2 of the convention, she also appeared at the booth for Tamagawa Boat Race speedboat gambling organization.

And the previous day, she’d been dressed up in some Santacos for her time at her personal Comiket booth, where she rakes in an astounding amount of revenue selling self-produced merch.

Still, for her most passionate fans, there’s nothing quite like getting the change to photograph their idol themselves…

…even if they’re doing so from pretty far away.

Featured image: Twitter/@qWP8Yga4XTuay8j



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Happy New Year! Japan ranks top spots to view the first sunrise of 2019

Japan decides which spots are the best places to catch the final dawn of the Heisei Era.

There’s something healing about watching the first rays of light eke over the horizon on any early morning, and it takes on a special meaning when it’s the literal first sunrise of the year.

Symbolizing new chances, new starts, new opportunities, some people are desperate to make sure that the first sunrise they catch in 2019 is picture perfect; especially this year, which is the final year that Emperor Akihito will reign, and thus the end of the Heisei era.

An online survey was conducted from October 21 to October 31 regarding where people would like to watch the first sunrise of the year. 4,271 men and women were polled across all 47 prefectures, aged from teens to people in their sixties. So without further ado, here are Japan’s top picks of places for starting the year out right!

5. Katase Higashihama Beach — Kanagawa Prefecture
Sunrise starts at: Around 6:50 a.m.

Coastal Kanagawa is the prefecture just south of Tokyo, and it’s a great spot to visit for beaches, tourist phones, and even Pokémon parades at certain times of year.

When it comes to sunrises, the Katase Higashihama Beach offers a gorgeous shot of the sun rising over the surrounding Miura Peninsula. The nearby Enoshima island has its own shrine, meaning you have a great spot to make your first shrine visit of the year, too.

4. Chiba Port Tower — Chiba Prefecture
Sunrise starts at: Around 6:50 a.m.

You might have heard of Chiba Prefecture before — just outside of Tokyo, it’s home to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. Chiba also plays host to scenic beaches and great sightseeing spots, like the Chiba Port Tower.

While this shot of the sunrise being reflected in the Port Tower building’s windows is breathtaking enough, if you head to the observation deck of the building itself you can enjoy the sunrise in a stunning panoramic view!

3. Uppama Beach — Okinawa Prefecture
Sunrise starts at: Around 7:17 a.m.

Okinawa Prefecture is a popular tourist destination in Japan due to its tropical climates, gorgeous architecture, and strong traditions, which are very disparate from the other prefectures in mainland Japan.

Uppama Beach features brilliantly white sand, and is surrounded with lush nature. You can watch the sun float right up out of the horizon ahead of you at this beautiful spot, and there’s no shortage of other great photo opportunities while you’re in the area.

2. Miho no Matsubara — Shizuoka Prefecture
Sunrise starts at: Around 6:55 a.m.

Shizuoka Prefecture is famously bordered by that most iconic of mountains, Mt. Fuji (the mountain is on the border between Shizuoka and the neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture). Naturally, this means you can savor some Fuji-tastic sights while admiring the sunrise.

The best place to do so is the pine tree-lined area on the peninsula, Miho no Matsubara. The pine groves are protected as a World Heritage Site and the area is where the Noh play Hagoromo is set, so you can steep yourself in some theatrical culture as you wait for the sun to show up!

1. Moiwa Mountain in Sapporo — Hokkaido Prefecture
Sunrise starts at: Around 7:01 a.m.

Instagram Photo

Hokkaido Prefecture is mostly renowned for snow, snow and more snow, but the city of Sapporo takes it further than most.

Around 531 meters (1,742 feet) above sea level, from the peak of Moiwa Mountain you can see as much of Sapporo as your eyes can possibly take in — and even the rolling, mountainous landscape of Yubari beyond it. Stick around for a day or so and you can catch the nightscape too, which is considered one of the most stunning that Japan has to offer.

Whether you’re celebrating your New Year at one of these top-rated locations or outside of Japan, whether you’ll be clinking new Starbucks mugs at the top of Moiwa Mountain or just savoring a Coke with friends at home, all of us at SoraNews24 wish you a very Happy New Year and great tidings for 2019!

Source: Jalan News
Featured image: Twitter/@yskemoto



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Shinkansen breaks down, causes all-day commuter chaos at Tokyo Station

Thousands stranded for hours during Japan’s peak holiday travel period. 

As we edge closer towards the New Year, roads and public transport systems around Japan are now working at full capacity as people travel back to their hometowns to celebrate the most important holiday of the year with their families.

With so many people travelling at the moment, any breakdown or delay can quickly become a big problem, creating huge crowds and inconveniencing thousands of people in a short period of time.

So when the driver of the Tohoku and Yamagata-bound Yamabiko with Tsubasa 177 Shinkansen bullet train was unable to release the emergency brake at Tokyo Station at 9:50 a.m. on 30 December, the breakdown resulted in crowds like this.

According to reports, the Shinkansen that broke down couldn’t be moved from its position at platform 23 for over an hour-and-a-half, which meant that other bullet trains heading in and out of the station were also affected.

▼ Crowds at the station at 11:00 a.m.

▼ And at the platform at the same time.

▼ The situation still hadn’t changed at 2:00 p.m.

By 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, all trains on the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen lines were delayed by more than 90 minutes.

▼ Staff stepped in to restrict entry in order to control the ever-growing crowd.

At 5:30 p.m., the situation still hadn’t improved, with two-hour-plus delays being reported.

▼ It took this passenger 20 minutes just to get to the ticket gate.

▼ “More crowded than an amusement park”.

▼ This passenger had one word for it: “Chaos“.

At 9:30 p.m., trains were still delayed, with many people wondering what time their last train, which usually departs before midnight, would actually depart.

At 10:45 p.m, it was clear that the delays weren’t going to get any better before the final train of the day.

According to East Japan Railway Company, which operates the five affected Shinkansen lines, approximately 228,700 passengers were affected by the incident, with delays or suspensions on roughly 376 routes as a result.

With travel set to hit another peak on January 2 and 3, as people return from their hometowns, public transport is set to remain busy until Sunday 6 January, before the working year begins again.

Hopefully there’ll be no future setbacks for passengers during this period, but if there are longer delays than today, it might just create the perfect conditions for another impromptu station platform drinking party.

Source: Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Twitter/@alohangloose



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Cosplay as a sexy soldier with new military uniform leotards from Japan

Japanese fetish designer wins the war against plain style.

When it comes to the fantasy world of Japanese cosplay, there are no rules or boundaries holding anyone back, with people free to dress according to any gender, age or interest that takes their fancy.

Japanese brand Moira Design is one name in the cosplay world that’s been pushing boundaries in recent years, with Chinese Dress swimming costumes, and P.E. Uniform dresses causing a stir, and now they’re back with a new item that’s set to raise eyebrows: the Military Uniform Leotard.

▼ The leotard is available in three colour variations: black and red, navy and red, and khaki and black.

Each design features a “Napoleon Jacket” style, with a front zip, matte stretch fabric, gold buttons, and gold lapels, making it different to any other leotard on the market today.

Moira suggests adding stockings, stilettos or long boots to the look for a whole new take on the marching band uniform.

▼ Whether you choose to add a whip or an eye patch is entirely up to your own discretion.

▼ The front zip allows you to choose how much cleavage is shown, if any at all.

▼ And to complete the look, the leotard comes with a matching foldable military cap, which comes with a removable badge.

The leotards can currently be purchased at the Village Vanguard online store, where they’re available in small, medium or extra large sizes. Each costume retails for 25,000 yen (US$226.70), and deliveries are scheduled to arrive in mid-February.

Source, images: PR Times



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Thicc Cyborgs (featuring Rekha)

Rekha guest stars as Caldwell and Nathan's overseer on Cartoon Hell who just can't get enough of wide, wide, musical robots.

Thicc Cyborgs (featuring Rekha)


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