Category Archives: Fun

I want the Sushi Game and Train for Family Game Night!

Sushi Train Restaurant and Game

In our house, we are big on family game night. At least, I am and I force my poor husband and son to play with me.

The Sushi Train and Game might inspire them more than the boardgames I typically insist upon  because we can eat sushi while we play! So what if it’s game pieces. At least, we can pretend.

The best part? When you’re not playing, you can make your own Sushi shop and deliver the goods by train.

While the train set is also a fun game for picking up the fake sushi (included!) as the train moves around the tracks, it’s also perfect for real meals as well. Set up your own kaiten sushi shop right at your dinner table.

The Sushi Train and Game Features:

  • N700 Series model shinkansen train
  • Straight rail pieces x 8(19cm each)
  • Curved rail pieces x 8(24cm each)
  • Stopper pice x 2
  • Controller
  • Plates: Deep x 2, Shallow x 2
  • Toy sushi (2 each): Fatty tuna, tuna, shad, salmon, squid, egg
  • Chopsticks x 2 (for game only)
  • Power: Train (AA x 2), Controller (AAA x 2)
  • Manual (Japanese)

Sushi Train Restaurant and Game

Okay, so it’s $200 if you buy it here. But really, is that too big a price for a night family togetherness??

Japan: An Awesome Destination (seriously)

This little girl is in love with Japan, and if you didn’t want to visit before, her sweet take on it will make you want to save your pennies for a plane ticket.

My personal favorites in her video?

“Tokyo is a Younormous city which consists of over 40 villages smooshed together.”

“Japan gets 3500 earthquakes every single year. That’s a lot.”

“Do you like animation? If so, you might like Japan.”

“A Japanese diet includes lots of Fish. Raw fish, actually.”

But before I spoil everything, let’s just watch.

“They also have a variety of pets including hedgehogs, weasels, and chipmunks.”
Wait a minute – Did she say Hedgehogs?!?

Also, love the shaky camera work. Did a younger sibling help her with this?

“Enjoy Japan, even if you only go there in your dreams. I hope that you learn about the beauty, not just on the outside but also on the inside of this amazing cultural country.”

Thank you, Alexandra! We will!

Hey there Cookie Boy, are you bringing me a tasty treat?

coockieboy

I’m not a big watcher of dessert cooking shows, mostly because the idea of being able to do difficult things with icing is so outside of my skill set, I can’t really relate. Somehow, however, I am intoxicated by the artistry and playfulness from Cookie Boy, a Japanese cookie artist who can do things with icing that blow me away.

When cookies are like these, it’s more than baking. It’s true cookie artistry, and Cookie Boy exhibits work as such.

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Thanks to Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi for introducing us to this deliciously amazing work.

A frog in your bathtub, without having to catch it first. (New at Japanistic.)

This guy’s expression just gets to me. Something about that face makes me love this Frog Bath Pouf. (You wouldn’t know this from the photo but I took this shot at our local frog pond, near our house, just so this guy would feel at home.)

My son and I both love poufs because the suds they can generate are amazing. And if you’re not a frog lover, don’t worry. We have a Chick Pouf and Seal Pouf too.

By the way, these terrific poufs are from another of the fantastic companies I met on my Japan trip. Want to see more? Visit the New Products section on Japanistic.

Fine Felted Friends for Fixing your hair Fun

Wish I could have thought of a word that start with F but means hair. Anyone?

From Warm, these adorable hair bands for little ones.

My son has long hair, which he refuses to pull back at any time, even when we’ve gotten him cool soccer player headbands. If I had a little girl, these would SOOO be going in her hair.

These little faces have so much expression, even though they are so small. How do they do that??

Just in case you were worried for me, yes, there is a hedgehog!

Oh Mickey, you’re so fine-in my Bento

Today, I came across a Mickey Mouse motherlode for Bento fans who also love their Mickey.

First, bake yourself a Mickey Cake.

 

Mickey Bread, anyone?

カナッペモールドミッキー

Mickey Pancakes? Oh yeah.

My personal favorite-the Sitting Mickey Cookie Kit.

【ミッキーマウス】立体クッキー抜き型

Mickey sauce bottles.

And Mickey molds of all kinds.

I confess, these disembodied parts of Mickey are a bit troublesome to me.

The Mickey Rice mold, however, I do like.

There are Mickey containers, for your condiments.

And of course, a Mickeypalooza with some parts I can’t identify. Clues, anyone?

We’ve never really gone the Disney route in our house, but with these in our kitchen? I might be swayed.

What kind of Beanstalk grows from Pokebeans?

Poke Beans

I’ve made no secret of my son’s love for Pocket Monsters, and admittedly, my won inability to understand their appeal. What the heck is actually doing with all of those cards he collects?

Perhaps similarly perplexed, photographer David Schwen created these Pokeimages. Now these Pokemon? These I could get behind.

Poke Banana

Poke Beer

Poke Book

Thanks Comic Alliance and Neatorama.

Super Lucky Cat Eggs Tattooed by a Robot

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The perfect post for Easter.

These gorgeous eggs are created by Eastern Eggs in the U.K. which “offers a series of limited-edition wooden eggs adorned with artwork by a handful of brilliant contemporary artists. The designs are tattooed onto the eggs by the one and only Egg Bot and, once you pick your design, you can even watch it being made via webcam. There’s a suggested donation of £10, though of course you’re welcome to contribute more, and all proceeds go to the British Red Cross tsunami relief efforts.” (via)

In their words, “Easter eggs are a symbol for rebirth and the start of a new life. Over the coming months and years, Japan has to rebuild – Not just a country but homes, families and lives.” (via) Here’s one way we can help.

egg

eggegg

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If you celebrate Easter, have a lovely day with family and friends, and perhaps take a minute to buy an egg that can help Japan.

Thanks to Maria Popova at The Atlantic.

New Origami Goodness at Japanistic (and still sending our thoughts to Japan.)

As I mentioned on Friday, many of our vendors have indicated that one way we can help Japan is by buying product and supporting the Japanese economy. As a result, we’ve spent the weekend adding new product to the site and have some terrific offerings.

One of my favorite finds on my trip to Japan was fantastic origami paper unlike the kinds I typically find at my local art supply store. Now, I’ve found it for you and I am delighted!

Origami

A favorite: Multi-polka dots origami paper, perfect for wrapping small treasures you are giving as gifts to someone special.

Origami Thank You in Blue or Red.

Candy Stripes might be my favorite.

Each package shows you sweet ways to use it, something a little different than the throwing stars and paper scorpions my son is currently folding.

Round Polka Dot Paper.

Lady Bug Polka Dots.

Want to make a cute stripey box? Try this Chiyogami Stripe Paper.

And of course, there’s always the Boat Series for the literal folks and, well, my son.

More, more, more on the way. And as always, thank you for your support.

Got Milk? Yup. In a Puzzle shaped like Japan.

You don’t have to drink your milk but you can play it with this Japan Puzzle in a Milk Carton. Pick your piece, place it, and learn. Or at least, that’s what I can figure out from looking at it.

I love the bright red color, and cartoon graphics.

Any Japanese readers have any additional information?

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