Uniqlo is a new style Japanese clothing company that makes good causal clothing available for all to wear. Uniqlo clothing is simple, really affordable and offers high end quality. Uniqlo is Japan’s leading clothing retail chain in terms of both sales and profit. They have also spread their wings overseas and operate throughout Asia, the UK, France, and US. Good news for Australia is Uniqlo is looking to set up shop in Australia and are reportedly set to open in 2012.
Here is a look at some of Uniqlo's Summer Dry Polo shirts in Japan
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea or Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) as it is known in Japan is a Japanese animated fantasy film released in 2008, written and directed by Japan’s master animator Hayao Miyazaki. The animated adventure centers on a goldfish princess named Ponyo who befriends a 5 year old human boy, Sosuke and wants to become a human girl. It is set against hand-drawn watercolour backdrops of sea and sky, and is a poetic adventure for all ages.
I love this movie for its cute characters, fantastic animation, great music soundtrack and warm heart-felt story.
The film has won numerous awards both in Japan and Internationally.
Tanabata (七夕), which is also known as the “Star Festival” takes place every year on the 7th day of the 7th month. Originating from Chinese legend it celebrates the meeting of the two stars Altair and Vega. According to the legend, the Milky Way, a river of stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.
The celebration is held at night and colourful Tanabata festivals are held across Japan in early July and August. One of the biggest and most famous is the Tanabata Festivals of Hiratsuka near Tokyo in July and Sendai in August.
A popular Tanabata custom in Japan is to write wishes on a small piece of paper and hang them on a specially decorated bamboo tree in hope that the wish will come true. The bamboo tree is usually set afloat on a river or burned after the festival, around midnight or on the next day.
Yakimeshi or Japanese Style Fried Rice is a popular dish to cook at home in Japan. It is best to use left over rice or rice that you have made previously that has been frozen for this recipe to give it the best texture.
Serves 2
Ingredients
• 4 cups cooked left-over rice
• ½ cup fresh or frozen green peas, cooked & drained
• ½ cup fresh or frozen corn, cooked & drained
• 2 eggs
• vegetable oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 spring onion, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• a pinch of pepper
Method
1. Warm or defrost rice briefly in microwave.
2. Cook peas and corn separately and drain well.
3. Break eggs into a bowl and stir.
4. Heat a frying pan over a high heat, add a small amount of oil. Add egg mixture to pan, stirring constantly. Transfer scrambled egg onto a plate.
5. Add more oil to pan, add garlic, carrot and spring onion and stir for 1 minute with wooden spoon.
6. Add green peas and corn, then warmed rice stirring continuously. Add scrambled egg.
7. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir-fry for a minute.
Note:
• If you want a spicy version add 1 Tbsp of curry powder
• For a Tokyo-style fried rice add soy sauce instead of salt
• Other ingredients you can add to the fried rice include chopped ham or bacon, cooked chicken thigh or roasted duck.
Japanese inventors have pushed the boundaries of technology again with the ultimate companion for lonely singles, a wired torso-shaped device that you can hug and it will hug you back.
Called the Sense-Roid, it looks like a tailor’s mannequin with silicone skin and is packed with pressure sensors. It is connected to the jacket worn by the user and replicates the feeling of an embrace with the help of air compressors.
The illusion of a mutual hug is enhanced by artificial muscles and vibrating devices in the jacket. According to reports many people initially feel surprised and uncomfortable about the unusual experience, but gradually get accustomed to it.
Watch the video below for the unique Sense Roid
Once again, I can just say Only in Japan
Read more about some of the lighter and more interesting stories about Japan at Only in Japan