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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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Anime Figure Collection 2015: Top 10 Cool Winter Releases

Starting to feel that winter chill? Why not ward it off with Japanese anime figures! As the autumn leaves fall away, the otaku of the world are reminded that new anime seasons and manga chapters are just around the corner… so are the holidays! Given all that, it’s definitely time for another awesome anime figure review.

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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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Totoro Merchandise that Recaptures Your Inner Child

My Neighbor Totoro: the film that captured our childish imaginations and sent us scrambling for our leaf umbrellas on rainy days, hoping to catch the Catbus. Despite his long career as a film director, Hayao Miyazaki has yet to create a character more loveable, recognized, and kawaii than his 1988 Totoro.

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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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