Tokyo Times

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Odd

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Japanese model mask

Attempting to keep track of the enormous number of Japanese idols would be an especially taxing if not exactly terrible undertaking, with the vast majority of these mostly young ladies conforming to the cute countenance so favoured in Japan.

Take 23-year-old Yuko Ogura for example, a pretty woman and no mistake, but there doesn’t really seem to be anything that differentiates her from the masses of other manufactured models.

yuko oguro

Which just goes to show how much I know, as Ogura’s features must have something going for them, or why else would a Japanese firm have opted to make her the first recipient of a ready for retail ‘live mask’? An object with decidedly doll-like qualities, which depending on one’s point of view, is either desirable or downright disturbing.

Yuko Ogura mask

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Tokyo tipple

Japanese pets with a penchant for workouts are fairly well catered for, with the likes of Pet Sweat helping them to relax and rehydrate.

Japanese drink

Yet all work and no play makes Patch a dull pooch, so thankfully there are alternatives for the mellower mongrel. Like lolling around the house supping lager for example.

Japanese pet beer

And for any animal after a change now and again, there’s also the option of the equally merry sounding Happy Tail Ale. A drink that 9 out of 10 dogs prefer.

Japanese pet beer

Apparently.

Japanese pet beer

(Big thanks to the wonderful What Japan Thinks for the link)

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Cast aside

The Japanese habit of wearing masks during hay fever season may well be what created a fondness for such facial fashion amongst certain people, rather bizarrely resulting in the birth of ‘mask idols’.

A slightly unusual yet not altogether unappealing practice.

Japanese maid

The burgeoning predilection for casts and covered body parts however is a little more difficult to comprehend, although admittedly there is more in the way of variety. There are injured arms.

Japanese girl

Legs.

Japanese girl

And even both for the true cast connoisseur.

Japanese girl

Plus for the true fanatic, there is also Kegadol, a book bursting at the steams with such stuff.

Eye-patches an added bonus.

Japanese kegadol

Categorized: Odd

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Hello Kitty heaven?

The Japanese may well live for an unbelievably long time, but when they do finally meet their maker, they rest in rather grand surroundings. Emperors perhaps not surprisingly securing the most spacious spots.

emperor showa grave

But even less regal members of society often manage to bag spaces bigger than many apartments.

Japanese resting place

In fact, so much care is taken with such post-cremation accommodation, that there is even a prize for the best design. This year’s winner of the 13th Grave Photo Contest being a stone bearing the character for ‘sky’, with the heart-shaped offering below taking the new design prize.

Japanese resting place

Surely meaning that it’s only a matter of time before the emergence of Hello Kitty headstones…

Categorized: Odd

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Manga mania

Many people have their passions, but whereas the likes of soccer and cycling are perfectly acceptable in public, the donning of massive manga-esque masks perhaps isn’t quite so permissible. Thanks to Anigao Girls in Tokyo however, those partial to humongous headwear now have a place to parade around in private.

Those interested it seems can rent a room for 3,800 yen for 15 minutes, the space coming complete with a mask and a collection of costumes, including, perhaps predictably, a maid outfit.

Japanese manga mask

And for those wanting to bare all in a bikini or have a friend film the fun, then the price goes up somewhat.

Japanese manga mask

But as this bizarre little video shows, it’s well worth forking out a little extra for such frivolity.

Perhaps.

(via the FG Forums)

Categorized: Odd

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Tokyo towel titillation

Towels with pretty patterns or big brand names emblazoned on them are especially popular in Japan, but for the bloke who prefers to rub himself off with something a little more racy, then this boob-based offering may (or indeed may not) be perfect.

Japanese towel

Categorized: Odd