While I certainly admired the delicious-looking tempura shrimp and rice bowl by nobu_tary I highlighted a week or so ago, I’m vegetarian and prefer some lovely vegetables with my rice — no homemade Japanese meal feels complete without some umeboshi, or pickled plums. I think I’d enjoy this gorgeous LEGO bento box a bit more, Continue reading →
KLUG, the LEGO Users Group (LUG) based in Osaka, Japan, is putting on the largest LEGO event in Japan this June called Japan Brickfest. The event will be held June 4-5, 2016 at the Canadian Academy international school on Rokko Island in Kobe. (I went to second grade in Kobe, and it’s a lovely city.) Continue reading →
As the grandson of an American World War II veteran who was born and raised in Japan, I have a rather complicated relationship with the Pacific War in World War II. From Nanjing to Bataan, there’s no denying the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese military against both the peoples of fellow Asian nations as Continue reading →
When I left Japan in 1989, I don’t think I’d ever seen any Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food — though Indian food was certainly popular (and a reliable choice for us vegetarians). Moko has built a kebab stand, though, and writes about it as though they’re on every street corner — as they certainly are Continue reading →
Many of you probably grew up wishing you could own a Porsche 911 or Ferrari Countache. I grew up in Japan in the 70’s and 80’s, so one of the cars my friends and I lusted after was the Nissan Fairlady Z (sold in the States as the Datsun 240Z). Cagerrin has manufactured a highly Continue reading →
Friends of mine in the US used to own a Japanese minivan and it was reliable, comfortable and great for road trips, but about as exciting as wet noodles. When I think of Japanese cars in general, the first ones that spring to mind are tiny little boxes on wheels that seem more suitable for Continue reading →
The second fan-created LEGO CUUSOO project has just been released in Japan, and will be available from the LEGO Shop online later in 2012. The set depicts the Hayabusa probe, which brought bits of an asteroid back to earth. Here’s the full press release: BILLUND, Denmark – The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa, the second LEGO® CUUSOO Continue reading →
Someone mentioned during the FBTB+TBB panel at BrickCon on Sunday that they missed the Japanese-focused LEGO models we used to feature, so I was very glad to run across this adorable little van by 1103spa (whose blog features some pretty cool Antarctic vehicles, too).
Our custom LEGO creation auctions to benefit the victims of the recent earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, via the Red Cross, are continuing. I’ve just listed some more items, and we also have several due to end in the next couple of days! Please take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like to Continue reading →
Our custom LEGO creation auctions to benefit the victims of the recent earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, via the Red Cross, are continuing. I’ve just listed some more items, and we also have several due to end in the next 24 hours! Please take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like to buy, Continue reading →
We’re back with more custom LEGO auctions to help Japan! Those of you who were watching may have noticed that all of our auctions ended yesterday, without anything new being added. That’s because it turns out that eBay puts a limit of $5000 per month on new selling accounts, and we broke that number! I Continue reading →
So far, our auctions have raised over FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS! Thanks so much to everyone who has donated creations, and everyone who has bid on them! There are half a dozen auctions ending in the next twelve hours, and a few more the next day. I’ll also be adding some new stuff this weekend, so Continue reading →