We save money on crotchless jeans from Japanese brand Beams by making our own

Addition by subtraction.

Keeping up with fashion is expensive… or not. Truth is, we don’t really know all that much about it to begin with. Long-time readers of this website have probably noticed that most of our writers’ idea of fashion is finding a neat T-shirt and wearing it four days a week. There are some exceptions though, such as our founder, Yoshio.

He can occasionally be seen browsing through clothing websites to see what’s hot for the season and just the other day was on the online store for the popular brand Beams when he saw something special.

Yoshio: “Aren’t these just the coolest? They’re jeans inspired by those leather pant covers that cowboys wear. What a bold pair of pants… Beams really are in a class by themselves!”

Yoshio was right in that they resembled the same chaps favored by cowboys and S&M enthusiasts alike. It stood to reason that the old west and/or fetishism was due for a comeback in mainstream fashion and our boss was eager to get in on the ground floor.

Yoshio: “The trick is to wear a pair of shorts underneath. That way you can have fun coordinating the different colored shorts with the jeans. That sounds pretty cool…”

Yoshio stared at the screen silently, but anyone could see the sheer desire to be fashionable well up inside him. Just as it looked ready to erupt, he sprung up from his seat and headed for the door.

No one was sure where he was running to, because he was looking at an online store and could have just ordered the crotchless pants then and there.

Yoshio: “Hold my calls!”

As he was heading out, we peeked at his monitor and found that the pants in question sold for a whopping 33,000 yen (US$210), which seemed unfair since much of the key pieces of fabric were missing.

And yet, Yoshio seemed to be moving with a great deal of purpose. Hopefully, he wasn’t heading out for yet another poorly thought-out scheme to make money.

About an hour later, Yoshio returned to the office holding a pair of scissors and a pair of regular jeans. He had the look of someone who had just come up with the greatest idea ever, but he often has that look so we usually just ignore it.

Yoshio: “I’ve just come up with the greatest idea ever! Why should I fork over that much money to Beams, when I can use my keen fashion sense to make my own with these 3,000 yen  jeans?”

This turned out to be one of Yoshio’s more sensible schemes. After all, the whole point is to destroy the jeans, so he’s unlikely to screw that up. It would save a lot of money too.

It only took a few minutes of cutting before he triumphantly held up his hot item for the summer.

Giving credit where due, he really did a rather good job with the cutting. The lines were fairly smooth and symmetrical.

If there was one criticism, it’d have been that he seemed to have cut a little too much from the rear. The rear pant legs seemed to droop a bit and more fabric around the sides could have helped keep them up more.

Yoshio wasted no time throwing on a pair of yellow shorts and then sliding on his new DIY chaps over top. Right away there were some issues, namely his shirt. It was a little long which would cover up his fashionably exposed crotch, but he couldn’t tuck it in either due to this paradigm-shifting ensemble.

Still, that could be fixed with some more time spent coordinating. For now, he just cinched the shirt up with a rubber band to keep it out of the way.

The now thin strip of denim holding the two pant legs together also tended to droop down quite a bit. He could probably fix this by hiking up his jeans a bit, but he figured that showing a bit of thigh is the key to pioneering this sexy new fashion trend.

Also, since shorts are worn underneath, no functionality is lost as one set of rear pockets is simply replaced with another.

Most importantly, there was a visible change in Yoshio’s self-confidence with his new crotchless pants. He had the look of a man who knew just how irresistible to women he was.

Yoshio: “Yeah, I’m pretty satisfied with how this turned out. I just know I’m going to be the center of attention wherever I go this summer. Of course, I also don’t mind if others imitate me. That’s what fashion is all about.”

And so, it looked like all was well that ended well with Yoshio getting the hottest look of the summer for a fraction of the cost. He was all set to get back to work when suddenly…

*Knock, knock!*

It was our writer Takamichi Furusawa. He’s known to have a nose for both great deals and cutting-edge fashion and must have sniffed out what was going on.

Takamichi: “Heyyyyyyyyyy, daddy-o! Pretty snazzy jeans ya got there!”

Yoshio: “Hehe, yeah… They’re the hottest jeans in Japan right now.”

Takamichi: “Ya don’t say? Seems like a real waste for you to wear them. How about giving them over to me?”

Yoshio: “No way! Make your own, you dunderhead!”

Takamichi: “Dunderhead?! Why I oughta!”
Yoshio: “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!”

Takamichi: “Come ‘ere! I think yer too sexy for your jeans!”

Yoshio: “Unh-uh! I’m just…”

Yoshio: “Ooof! …sexy enough!”

It would appear that an unforeseen design flaw in these chaps were that the significantly reduced fabric around the groin made them much easier to steal.

Takamichi: “Come to daddy!”

On the other hand, the study denim still held up well amid the struggle and the fact that Yoshio was already wearing regular shorts underneath allowed him to keep a shred of his dignity.

Yoshio: “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!”

Takamichi: “Huzzah!”
Yoshio: “My style!”

And despite having just been robbed of his pants, the biggest insult of all was that Takamichi ended up looking even better in them.

The loose strip of denim that had hung limply between Yoshio’s legs now looked defiant between Takamichi’s, rebellious to society’s conventions.

The subdued hue of the purple shorts added a layer of sophistication to this wild style. It was the look of a man willing to put it all on the line while remaining fully in control of his nether regions.

It was the look of a man who knew just what he wanted and how to get it, even if it meant mugging his own boss.

In conclusion, we highly recommend making your own crotchless jeans rather than buying brand-name. You’ll save a lot of money which will make it sting less when a family member, friend, or subordinate inevitably steals them in a fit of jealousy.

Related: Beams
Photos ©SoraNews24
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Should married couples in Japan be allowed to have different family names? Survey investigates

The Japanese constitution requires couples to share a family name if they get married, but only one age group in survey comes close to agreeing with it.

When a couple gets married in Japan, usually the wife takes her husband’s family name. However, it’s not shocking for the guy to give up his family name and take his bride’s instead. It’s not the norm, but it’s definitely something that’s more common in Japan than the U.S.

What you won’t see, however, is couples who tie the know and each retain their family name. As a matter of fact, that kind of arrangement is illegal under Japan’s current constitution, which stipulates that a married couple must have the same family name.

However, as time goes by social attitudes can shift and evolve, and in recent years an increasing number of people have been voicing their opinion that the requirement that married couples share a family name should be repealed. To gauge the public’s feelings on the matter, public broadcaster NHK conducted a randomly-dialed telephone survey last month, gathering responses from a total 1,534 people across Japan aged 18 and up.

▼ “Hello! Do you, or your identical-family-name-spouse, have time to answer a few questions?”

When asked how they felt about the idea of men and women being allowed to retain their own family names after marriage, 62 percent were in favor of it, compared to just 27 percent opposed. What’s more, the survey participants showed even stronger support for letting married couples both keep their pre-marriage family names among respondents in all age brackets under 70.

Meanwhile, there was a pronounced dip in support for the idea among survey respondents in their 70s, out of whom only 48 percent are in favor of it. That’s still, thogh, a larger group than the 40 percent of respondents age 70 to 79 who said they’re opposed to giving married couples that option, and in every other age group “in favor of” beat out “opposed to” by a much larger margin.

When asked why they were in favor of letting married couples keep their own family names, the top responses were:

1. Having more options is better (selected by 56 percent of respondents)
2. Changing your family name can cause problems at work and in your daily life (18 percent)
3. Usually it’s the woman who changes her name, which is unfair (12 percent)
4. I think there are people who like and feel attached to their family name (10 percent)

The number-two response might sound overly dramatic, but changing your family name can cause problems, or at least inconveniences, in Japan. In many work environments, people are known by their last names, and not only when dealing with outside clients. Coworkers, even ones on friendly terms, will often only call each other by their family names, and the same often goes for adult neighbors or other acquaintances in the community. If you get married and have to change your family name, for example, from Tanaka to Suzuki, suddenly everyone has to relearn your name, and things get even trickier if there’s also someone else in the office or apartment complex who already has your new family name.

On the other end of the survey responses, those who were opposed to separate family names for spouses gave the following reasons.

1. Having separate names will weaken the bonds and solidarity between family members (36 percent)
2. Parents having separate family name may have a negative influence on children (26 percent)
3. Having separate family names will confuse other people (18 percent)
4. There are now more situations than there were before in which someone can continue using their pre-marriage family name (12 percent)

Looking at this list, it’s not hard to see why support was lower for a separate-names option among the oldest age group in the survey. Reasons 2 and 3 largely boil down to the concept of members of the same family having different family names feeling strange and confusing, and they’re more likely to feel that way if you’ve spent the last seven decades-plus with “married couple = same family name” as a rocksteady part of Japanese society. Reason 1, and of course 2, also feel based on the assumption that the couple will be having children, but with fewer and fewer married couples in Japan these day having kids, weakening family bonds is probably something older generations are more worried about than younger ones.

Reason 4, an increasing number of situations in which someone can continue to use their pre-marriage family name, might seem like a contradiction to the “married couples must have the same family name” rule mentioned above. However, while couples are required to have the same last name on official documents such as government, banking, and housing forms, in professional and social interactions, it’s not unusual for Japanese women to continue to go by their maiden names. This is especially the case when a married woman continues working in the same office she was working in prior to tying the knot, in order to maintain consistency for communication with colleagues and customers.

▼ Sometimes men who take their wife’s family name do the same thing, as with SoraNews24’s ace reporter Mr. Sato, whose legal family name hasn’t been Sato for several years now.

Ironically, though it wasn’t on the list of reasons why for people who support a separate-family names option, “an increasing number of situations in which someone can continue to use their pre-marriage family name” may eventually be the logic behind the decision to repeal the same-last-name rule, should the Japanese government decide to go that way, since it shows that people can potentially continue using their own family name without it causing communication chaos and confusion.

Source: NHK News Web via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Pakutaso, SoraNews24
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Pokémon Cafe serves up a green tea ceremony in Japan with Poltchageist and Sinistcha matcha menu

Traditional Japanese hospitality, with a dash of mystical matcha, appears at the Pokémon Cafe.

It’s a good time to be a matcha-loving Pokémon fan in Japan right now, because in addition to a massive new collection of green tea goods dedicated to Poltchageist and Sinistcha, we’re now being treated to a limited-time menu starring the two tea-themed pocket monsters at the Pokémon Cafe.

Like the goods collection, the menu is called “Kissa Chadeath” (“Poltchageist Teahouse“), and is based around the theme of an old-school retro teahouse, known in Japan as kissaten, or “kissa”.

▼ “喫茶チャデス” (“Kissa Chadeath“) kind of sounds like the “Kiss of Chadeath“, but if that’s a way to go, it’s a wonderful way to die.

While Poltchageist, Sinistcha and Pikachu are the stars of the show, several other Pokémon are joining them to provide customers with some traditional, yet magical, Japanese-style omotenashi (“hospitality”).

▼ The first item on the limited-edition menu is the Poltchageist and Sinistcha’s Omotenashi Matcha Latte (1,265 yen)

This gorgeous set allows you to make your very own fresh matcha latte, with frothy hot milk in the Sinistcha Tea Bowl and matcha in the Poltchageist tea caddy. The sugar syrup on the side can be added to sweeten the beverage to your liking, and the Pikachu cookie provides even more sweetness and a crunchy textural contrast.

▼ Tea Ceremony Sweets Set (2,750 yen)

This collection of desserts features Pikachu, as a sweet cheese-flavoured steamed cake, alongside several Grass-type Pokémon. Rowlett is hiding out in a scoop of chestnut ice cream, Hisuian Lilligant dances on a Pudding a la Mode, and Matcha Cream Alcremie appears in a Matcha Cream and Yoghurt-flavoured Mini Parfait.

Those wanting a truly extravagant tea ceremony can opt for the Poltchageist Teahouse’s Omotenashi! Drink and Sweets Set, for 4,015 yen.

Customers who order the Drink and Sweets Set will receive a couple of extra perks, with one being a free acrylic stand inspired by the Poltchageist Teahouse’s signboard.

The other perk is a free green tea service, which includes a free cup of green tea, served from a Poké Ball Teapot prior to your meal, and a free acrylic stand, featuring one of the Poltchageist Teahouse characters. 

There are six types of paper cups and acrylic stands to collect, although customers aren’t able to choose which ones they get, and they’re only available in limited numbers so stocks may run out.

Fans who fall in love with the Pokémon-themed tableware will be pleased to know that not only are they available to purchase at Pokémon Centers around Japan, but also at the Pokémon Cafe from 3 May.

The Poltchageist Tea Caddy (4,180 yen) and Sinistcha Tea Bowl (5,280 yen) are two of the hot-ticket items for sale.

The Poltchageist Teahouse theme extends to the “Choose Your Pokémon Latte” selections, where you can choose from seven different designs, as a latte, cafe mocha, or caramel mocha, for 935 yen.

The new menu made its debut on 27 April, and will be available for a limited time at the Pokémon Cafes in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi and Osaka’s Shinsaibashi. As always, the cafes can only be entered by prior reservation on the website,  so be sure to reserve your seat before you go, and enjoy the magic of this very special tea ceremony!

Source, images: Pokémon Café official website
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Japanese cosplayer creates amazing outfit: Sailor Moon’s transformation sequence!【Photos】

10 years of creative energy turn into something magical.

When Sailor Moon fans decide to cosplay as the magical girl anime/manga heroine, they’ve got a few different iconic outfits to choose from. Obviously, there’s the sailor suit-inspired outfit that Sailor Moon wears when fighting evil by moonlight, but the school uniform she wears as ordinary schoolgirl Usagi Tsukino is also an option, as is the elegant gown of Princess Serenity from the Silver Millenium.

But cosplayer and Japanese Twitter user @princessusako recently passed up all three of those designs and crafted a Sailor Moon cosplay outfit that’s both extremely unique and inventive, and yet also something that fans will instantly recognize, by recreating Sailor Moon’s costume from the middle of her transformation sequence.

In case you need your memory jogged, or are just in the mood for a trip down anime memory lane, for Sailor Moon’s first transformation, Usagi shouts out “Moon prism power, make up!” Glowing ribbon-like streams of magical energy then emerge from the Transformation Brooch she wears on her chest, streaming out over her torso and solidifying into her Sailor Moon outfit.

▼ Sailor Moon’s original transformation sequence

To capture this effect in the real world, @princessusako sewed a prismatic reflective material, called an aurora reflector, to both sides of an 18-meter (59-foot) ribbon. She then wound the ribbon in and around a replica Transformation Brooch over and over, until she achieved the volume and shape necessary to wear the ribbon as a garment itself.

Because of the shimmering effect of the material, light will play across the surface so that colors appear to be constantly changing, further selling the illusion that what you’re seeing is magical energy forming around Sailor Moon.

▼ @princessusako models her creation.

@princessusako actually first got the idea for a ribbon-based Sailor Moon transformation sequence cosplay outfit 10 years ago, and even he first attempt is an impressive piece of work.

The new costume, though, is on a whole other level, and a reminder that there’s no limit to what cosplay creators can do if they keep chasing their costuming dreams.

Source: Twitter/@princessusako via IT Media
Images Twitter/@princessusako
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French premium kid’s clothing brand collaborates with Pokémon for ultra-cute duds

It turns out that Pikachu’s cuteness suits any price range.

One thing that never seems to get old is Pikachu-related merchandise, whether it’s a Pikachu-shaped model car or instant cup noodles. Now Bonpoint, a French premium kid’s and baby clothing brand, has created a Pikachu-centered capsule fashion collection in collaboration with Monpoké, the Pokémon franchise’s fashion label for young fans.

Sizes range from newborn to 14 years, so your child can grow up with Pikachu always by their side. The collection includes tops, jackets, accessories, pajamas, and even a few non-clothing items.

▼ Left: Timi Pajama Set, Right: Boris Pajamas

These newborn pajama sets are made of organic cotton (as are most items in the collection) and come in either a two-piece set (Timi) or a onesie (Boris). They feature a cute all-over print featuring Pikachu, clouds, and stars. The Timi Pajama Set starts at 21,230 yen (US$135) and the Boris Pajamas at 27,940 yen.

▼ Tom T-shirt

This t-shirt fits babies from six months all the way up to toddlers at 36 months. Prices for this item start at 14,520 yen.

▼ Left: Aada T-shirt, Right: Fortunato T-shirt

For kids aged four to 14, Monpoké offers two simple but adorable T-shirts. Both the Aada and Fortunato styles start at 19,030 yen.

▼ Tonino Sweatshirt

This Tonino Sweatshirt is perfect for cooler temperatures, and it features two adorable Pikachus with fuzzy cheeks. It’s available for kids aged four to 14 and starts at 39,050 yen.

▼ Arnold Baseball Cap, Lancelot Jacket

Denim also gets a shoutout in the collection with a baseball cap and jacket. They’re made in eco-wash denim and feature embroidered Pikachus that will last for years to come. Sized for ages four to 14, the Arnold Baseball Cap goes for 23,430 yen, while the Lancelot Jacket starts at 50,160 yen.

Also included in the collection are skincare items! They suit many skin types and age, and most items contain organic ingredients.

▼ Moisturizing Face Cream Airless Pump – 12,100 yen

▼ Nourishing Body Cream – 12,100 yen

▼ Body & Hair Cleansing Cream – 14,850 yen

▼ My Pikachu Mini Skincare Set (4 items) – 18,480 yen

▼ Bonpoint x Pokémon Tote Bag

The final piece of the Monpoké collection is a tote bag, priced at 21,230 yen. It features a large Pikachu with fuzzy cheeks, suitable for any age–even adults!

The Bonpoint x Pokémon capsule collection is available online in both Japan and Europe (linked below) if you’re interested in more details or in purchasing any of the items. In Japan, the clothing items are also available at Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo.

Sources: PR Times, Bonpoint
Images: PR Times

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All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo

Enjoy an adult drink bar on the cheap, where you pour the drinks how and when you want them. 

The word “drink bar” is one that conjures up excitement for a lot of people in Japan, who know it to mean unlimited refills of an assortment of beverages, usually at a manga cafe or family restaurant. Nowadays, though, the rise of the “adult drink bar” is becoming popular at izakaya taverns, and as the name suggests, the unlimited refills are of the alcoholic variety.

The main difference between a “drink bar” and a regular “all-you-can -drink” service is that you pour the refills yourself rather than have staff bring drinks to you, and it actually appeals to a lot of customers who prefer to have more control of how much they drink and when. If an adult drink bar sounds like something that’s right up your alley, then you’ll be pleased to know we’ve found an amazing deal for you right in the heart of Tokyo, at Yakitori Marukin in Shinjuku.

▼ Yakitori Marukin is written out as “やきとり 〇金” (“maru” means “round” or “circle“).

Marukin’s Adult Drink Bar is actually priced at 329 yen (US$2.12) for every 30 minutes, but every customer needs to start with a one-hour session, which means you pay 658 yen at first, and then you can either leave or keep the party going in 30-minute increments.

Considering draft beer will usually set you back around 500 yen per glass in Tokyo, this adult drink bar is an absolute bargain, and when we visited on a Saturday evening, most of the seats were full of patrons making good use of the offer.

What makes this deal particularly good is the number of different drinks available, with over 70 types of alcoholic beverages to choose from, covering things like draft beer, highballs, sake, plum wine and shochu.

The amount of drinks on offer is enough to make you feel as giddy as a kid at a family restaurant drink bar, and anyone who’s enjoyed that experience will know one of the most exciting aspects is using the machines to pour your own drinks.

▼ Here, though, the drinks are alcoholic, and you’re the bartender pulling beers.

No expertise is required — all you have to do is set the mug on the stand, press the switch, and the machine does the rest of the work for you, serving up a tasty draft beer with a good head on it. In addition to Asahi Super Dry, dark beer is available, which gives you a couple of options to enjoy.

After finishing our first round of beers, we headed over to the soda and highball taps, where we were able to adjust the strength and dilution to our personal preference.

The self-service drink bar was a lot of fun to use and made us feel more at home than usual, especially after we’d had a few. As for dishes, they’re mostly designed to pair well with alcohol, and the recommended Miyazaki Yakitori was particularly delicious and not as fatty as other ones we’ve tried in the past.

Not only was this a cheap night out, it was a great night out, so if you’re looking for a budget-priced all-you-can-drink spot in Tokyo, why not try an adult drink bar? They’re a lot of fun, particularly with friends, and the only thing you really have to worry about here is drinking too much, so be sure to drink in moderation!

Restaurant information
Yakitori 〇Kin Shinjuku main store / やきとり 〇金 新宿本店
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-34-16, Ikeda Plaza Building 4F
東京都新宿区新宿3-34-16 池田プラザビル4F
Hours: 4:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. (irregular holidays)
Website

Photos © SoraNews24
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Japanese city encouraging visitors and locals to cosplay as ninja for annual Ninja Festa

Home of the Iga ninja clan staging annual celebration of its shinobi heritage.

Usually, ninja are all about discretion. When an entire town holds an event because of how cool you are, though, how could any shinobi stay hidden?

And so it is that this week the city of Iga, Mie Prefecture, will hold the Iga Ueno Ninja Festa this week. The annual event celebrates the history and ninja heritage of the region, which was the base of operations during the 15th and 16th centuries for the Iga ninja clans.

With a castle and ninja museum, Iga already attracts Japanese history buffs, but that gets kicked up a notch during the Ninja Festa, during which visitors are encouraged to dress in ninja garb. Those decked out in shinobi chic can enjoy a number of special services in the neighborhood near Iga Ueno Castle, including free rides on the Iga Railway Iga Line between Nishi Ote and Kayamachi Stations (the section in which the Ninja Festa is taking place) and discounts on souvenirs and snacks such as local soft drink Ninja Ale.

If you don’t already have your own set of ninja attire, a special rental/changing area will be set up in the Haitopia Iga building next to Uenoshi Station, where 200 outfits, in sizes for kids and adults, will be available each day for 1,500 yen (US$9.60), and several local souvenir shops offer ninja-themed apparel as well.

▼ A map of the festival area, with venues spreading south from the castle park

Also set up around town will be a series of ninja training activity stations, to test the mind, body, and skills of would-be shadow warriors. For those who complete them all, a special document of ninja certification is bestowed. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to watch others demonstrate their skills (or maybe just want to keep the full extent of your shinobi powers hidden), a number of ninja stage shows will be held as well.

The Iga Ueno Ninja Festa starts May 3, and continues until the 5th, with festivities from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

Source: PR Times, Iga Guide
Images: PR Times
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