Japanese Culture | One Map by FROM JAPAN

Japanese Claw Machine: 7 Tips & Tricks to Bag Your Prize

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If you’re a fan of anime figurines, don’t miss the chance to make your way through the many arcades dotting the Japanese landscape to try your hand at scoring a limited edition collectible with the popular Japanese claw machine! They are so common here that a sub-culture of claw addicts have emerged who know the secrets of mastering the game to get the coveted prize. To the untrained novice, the Japanese claw machine can be oh-so elusive, but don’t worry—we’ve got your back with these essential tips and tricks!

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Japanese Chopsticks: 6 Picks from Unique to Utilitarian

Japanese chopsticks are not only some of the highest quality utensils, but also come in many fun and unique forms. More than being an interesting way to eat, dining with chopsticks actually has health and dietary benefits and allows anyone to participate in a cultural tradition dating back to 1766 BC. New to chopsticks? Looking for a unique set tailored to your interests? Here’s our guide to some of the most original chopstick designs and how to use them.

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Traditional Japanese Masks: Own a Piece of Japan’s Rich History

Nowadays Japanese people commonly wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of germs, as a fashion statement, or even just for a little sense of privacy. But masks have a history almost as old as Japan itself. Originally they were used in prehistoric religious rituals beginning in the Jomon period (10,000 B.C. to 300 B.C.). Masks are alive and well in Japan today, and you can own a piece of the tradition! But if you want to hang one on your wall, you may want to know what they’re all about when someone asks!

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5 Cute Japanese Robot Toys to Spice Up Your Life

Robots: those mysterious technologies from the future with A.I. for brains. Whether they cause a worldwide cyber-dominion, or become our best friends and trusted allies, we’re all secretly excited about owning a robot of our own. Perhaps the days of Mobile Suit Gundam and Evangelion are still a few decades (or even centuries) away, but Japanese robots are actually head and shoulders above those of most nations. The country has made huge strides in bringing the mechanical beings of the future into the home and workplace of today—as humanoid helpers and even toys!

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7 Timelessly Traditional Japanese Games and Toys

Japan has many traditional children’s games and toys dating back hundreds of years. Many originate from the Edo period, when…

The Japanese Fake Food Display: An (In)edible Culinary Art Form

Your mind and stomach will question reality upon first seeing a Japanese fake food display. Whether hotdog or hamburger, risotto or ramen, it looks good enough to eat—an illusion that is only broken when you reach out and touch it, discovering the hard, plastic truth. Experience the artistic craftsmanship—and fool your friends—with your very own fake food display!

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