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!

Japanese fake food
Can you pick out the real ones? (Answers below)

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Desktop Zen Garden Kits: 5 Reflections on Why You Need One

What is a Desktop Zen Garden?

Stressed at work? Stressed at home? Escape from the never-ending stream of incessent noises and thoughts that bombard your daily life. If you’re open to Eastern meditation, maintaining a personal zen garden is a great way to find your inner piece. Keep reading to find out why you should have one in your home or office and where you can find a truly authentic Japanese desktop zen garden!

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Traditional Japanese Tea Cups: Top 5 Japanese Pottery Styles

Traditional Japanese Tea Cups: Top 5 Japanese Pottery Styles

The biggest difference between traditional Japanese tea cups and Western tea cups is that Japanese tea cups have no handle. There are two kinds of Japanese tea “cups” – yunomi, which are tall cylindrical cups, and chawan, wide bowls used to drink matcha in the Japanese tea ceremony. Unlike a chawan, a yunomi can be used for everyday tea drinking at your home or even at work. Japanese tea cups come in all kinds of styles and glazes, from white porcelain, to iron black, and unglazed clay. Like Western tea cups, however, there can be a huge range in prices for a single piece. A mass-produced factory yunomi are quite affordable, but a quality yunomi made by a master can cost over 10,000 yen.

When buying a Japanese tea cup, you should not only consider the style but also hold it in your hands and try imagine yourself drinking tea from it. The evolution of traditional Japanese tea cups can be traced through the Japanese pottery styles of yore—let’s examine the top five types.

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Anime Figure Showcase 2015: Top 10 Most Anticipated Fall Releases

Anime Figure Showcase 2015: Top 10 Most Anticipated Fall Releases

Autumn in Japan is one of the most beautiful times of the year, with green leaves transforming into a collage of red, yellow, and orange.

Even if you live outside of Japan, though, you can still celebrate the fall season with these in-demand anime figurines (oh, and Racing Miku, of course) being released in Japan this autumn. Stretching from September to December, there’s at least one must-have figurine coming out every month, so let’s count down the top ten figurines you simply must get your hands on in fall 2015!

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Japanese School Uniform Obsessed? What to Wear, Where to Buy

Japanese School Uniform Obsessed? What to Wear, Where to Buy

Along with the kimono, one of the most recognized outfits from Japan is the standard Japanese school uniform. Thanks to anime and manga, the traditional sailor styled uniform is synonymous with Japan and something that even people outside Japan want to wear themselves, either for cosplay or as a fashion-forward statement. Whether cosplayer or not, options are flourishing especially for women who want to buy a Japanese school girl outfit. The Internet has made it possible for anybody to indulge in their cute Japanese fashion obsession.

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