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.
Tokyo tranquillity
Whilst millions of people with a Tokyo address do, at least to a certain extent, live in the kind of close-quartered neon-lit landscapes depicted in foreign films and media, countless others lead a rather more relaxing life. The latter being especially true in regards to those living in Hinohara-mura on the metropolis’s western outskirts — the only village in the Japanese capital.
Yet despite being a considerable distance from the city’s downtown area, the residents of this sleepy little settlement are still a part of Tokyo, presumably meaning that they have to put up with all the high prices associated with the capital without any of the benefits. The place doesn’t even have a convenience store for goodness sake.
That said, they do have a nice two-tone tarmac road that is ideal for driving on, or (weather permitting) even walking along.
And should meandering along this road somehow become a little mundane, Hinohara also has a river running through it. The village even employing a local old man to sit on the bank and wave to those foolish enough to have ventured so far in the vain hope of seeing something interesting.
To be fair though, it should also be added that the village is relatively well known for the foodstuff konyakku, which, perhaps rather aptly, is somewhat on the bland side.
Hello Kitty housing homage
With food, phones and even banana cases now bearing the Hello Kitty logo, Sanrio must be struggling to find stuff to stick its famous feline figure on, as the Japanese giant has now introduced a phenomenally frivolous Kitty-chan doghouse.
Yet far from a crappy kennel with pussy pictures plastered all over it, the one-off creation is covered in crystals and costs an absolutely colossal 3.9 million yen (31,600 dollars). However those with more money than sense need not worry about beating the rush, as Sanrio has said that the buyer will be selected by lottery should there be more than one customer interested.
Which is a relief.
Turd-tastic Tokyo
Japan’s obsession with all things cute is certainly nothing new, with comical little characters created for practically every business or organisation out there — all the way from those concerned about the climate to coppers. However whilst big anime eyes always have a high cute count, somewhat surprisingly faeces it seems also fares fairly well.
For those fond of excrement flying about for example, this turd-related toy is ideal. Or alternatively, if simply waving the whiffy stuff around is preferred, then this shit on a stick offering is positively perfect.
And even that colossus of cute the mobile phone accessory isn’t immune to the magic of waste matter, as these toilet-related trinkets sell likes hot cakes apparently.
The unbelievable popularity of such poo-based pendants happily proclaimed by Japanese online mobile mogul Strapya.
Which says it all really.
And then some.
Japanese food-related failure
Whilst Japan may lead the world in the fields of manga and maid cafes, the country’s quest for a sporting superstar has sadly remained illusive. Admittedly Japanese baseball and soccer players have made sizeable splashes in America and Europe respectively, but the nation has yet to produce a global star with the talent of Tiger Woods or the phenomenal fame of footballer David Beckham.
However the desperate search appeared to finally be over, as after six consecutive wins at the much renowned Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi looked set to become one of the greatest athletes to have graced the world stage by bagging an unprecedented seventh title at this year’s event. An achievement that sadly was wasn’t meant to be, as Kobayashi fell at the final hurdle and came a close second to American Joey Chestnut. The six-time winner even suffering the ignominy of a ‘reversal’ towards the end of the competition.
A feat that, if successful, would have surely resulted in the 29-year-old being given a hero’s welcome on his return to Japan. And along with sponsorship offers aplenty, there was also a much-anticipated audience planned at the Imperial Palace, with many people speculating that Kobayashi was to be awarded accordingly with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
But perhaps predictably the dream would appear to be over, and the search begins all over again…
Well expensive Wii
There would appear to be no looking back for Nintendo as far as the console contest goes, with the Wii outselling Sony’s PlayStation 3 in Japan by a sensational six units to one. And with the machine still in relatively short supply, some retailers have opted to try and cash in on the craze by offering overly priced overseas models instead.
One outlet in Tokyo’s Akihabara district for example is desperately trying to draw in the more determined with a U.S. version of the Wii for the decidedly not discounted price of almost 60,000 yen (500 dollars) — twice the cost of a Japanese model.
The management somewhat unwisely deciding to display the console on top of its even more outrageously priced American PS3.
Which at a whopping 128,000 yen (1,000 dollars) has, perhaps not surprisingly, been unsuccessfully on sale since January.