Latest news with #ElliotHale
Japan Today
26-06-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Elementary and junior high students speak out on Japan's strangest school rules
By Elliot Hale, SoraNews24 The Japanese schooling system has an ongoing problem, being rife with outlandish rules that simply don't make sense in the modern day: elementary school students not being allowed to put on underwear beneath their gym clothes, or junior high and high school students only being allowed to sneeze three times during class. Despite the many, many complaints that find their way to the boards of education, many of these outdated and oppressive rules persist even today. A recent online survey gathered responses from 1,749 elementary and junior high school students from across Japan to find out what other strange rules schools have that kids are baffled by. You might think that only a minority of the schools cling on to backwards school rules, but you'd be mistaken. A whopping 79.1 percent of respondents answered that their school has rules that are just plain bizarre. For elementary students, the ones that had them the most confused were the ones regarding stationery, with bans being put on items that have a scent or decorated by characters. Above all, though, is the ban on mechanical pencils, despite many junior high schools allowing the use of them. Clearly mechanical pencils are too deadly for young children to wield correctly. ▼ After all, they do look positively lethal. Image: Pakutaso Junior high students, on the other hand, are left more perplexed when it comes to rules about their hair, such as having to tie it up if it touches your shoulders, or only being allowed to have hair ties in specified colors. Dyeing your hair is also completely out of the question at many schools. ▼ Sadly, the common anime setting of a class full of members with vivid hair colors is unlikely to be seen in reality. Image: Pakutaso It doesn't stop there though, with kids highlighting other rules they have to put up with in their daily lives, like socks needing to be of a certain color and length, or underwear having a specific color or pattern. The issue with underwear and gym clothes persists, with several elementary schools prohibiting them from being worn at the same time, and even some junior high schools doing the same. Other rules mentioned were restrictions on keychains, phones, and food and drinks. There were even some students who answered that there were limits on bringing mirrors and brushes to school, as well as some who answered that they weren't allowed to bring sunscreen to school. Rules are only effective if there are appropriate consequences for breaking them, so what happens if a student dares to rebel, and brings some abhorrent sticky notes into the sacred hall of learning? Some responses include a three-warning system, where you get sent to a student guidance counsellor after three warnings, and should you be sent there three times, you're expelled. Others include being forced to write reflection essays, having something confiscated, or being sent home to fix the problem, only being allowed to return once they have done so. However, some of these consequences can end up creating unfortunate or unintended results. One student had their favorite mechanical pencil thrown away that they had brought by mistake, and another couldn't contact their parents after a late club activity due to a smartphone ban. Perhaps the most humiliating of all is having to show your underwear in front of everyone to prove that you're in compliance with the rules. While the effectiveness and necessity of these rules is certainly debatable, the survey brings forth a valuable point: students are able to question the rules that make up their everyday lives and recognize when something doesn't seem to sit quite right with them. Whether it's about their socks, pencils, or hairstyles, children want their voices to be heard. Although many schools seem to be rather reluctant to cast aside these long-held rules, change is happening gradually. So, it might take a while, but hopefully public displays of the underwear young students have got on will become a relic of the past. Source: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Line up in the hall, open your shirts, show your bras – Real instructions from one Japanese school -- Public schools in Japan's Saga Prefecture will no longer regulate/check students' underwear color -- Tokyo junior high school demands students wear white underwear as part of dress code External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Lawson overloads some of its popular foods by doubling their amount for its 50th anniversary
By Elliot Hale, SoraNews24 When I was younger, I'd always end up still feeling a little peckish even after polishing off a regular-sized meal, so my food orders would always skew towards the larger portions. It became sort of an ingrained habit, where my eyes would always immediately drift towards the large size in the store or on the menu. Unfortunately, my stomach hasn't seen fit to keep up with my desire for more food, and I'm often left feeling stuffed about 70 to 80 percent of the way through my meal. I know I should just order the normal size, but… it's difficult. However, with Lawson's 50th anniversary campaign this month, it's time to throw those worries to the wind and gorge to my heart's content, as they are running a 50 percent extra campaign with no added cost. In times past, Lawson used to have a 47 percent increase, but amid a world full of shrinkflation, they have quietly increased the amount to a round 50, which is something food lovers the nation over can feel thankful for. The campaign is spread out over the four weeks of June, with new food items joining the lineup each week, and will end on June 30. Someone who shares my love for huge portions is our reporter P.K. Sanjun, who thoroughly enjoyed the second week's additions of the Katsu Curry and the Abura Soba with Spicy Soy Sauce (also called mazesoba, a style of brothless ramen where noodles are tossed with a savory soy sauce-based dressing, often enriched with lard or oil). P.K. loved both items so much, he was keen to give Week 3's offerings a try, which went on sale on June 16. Among the selection were things like a chicken cutlet bento, a ham cutlet sandwich, and sausage curry, which — while decent — didn't trigger his desire to run to the top of a cliff and scream 'This! Is! Amazing!' into the sunset. However, there was one product lying in wait for P.K.. One that would astound him with its presence, and shock him with its value for money: The Meat Sauce Spaghetti (646 yen). Lawson hasn't done anything fancy with the meal; it's a simple doubling of both pasta and sauce. Simple though it may be, it has transformed a once-humble meal into a monster dish weighing over 800 grams, and packing more than 1,000 calories. Holding it in his hand, P.K. was amazed by how heavy it was. How was it possible for a convenience store meal to be this heavy? Cracking out his scales, the entire dish came to an impressive 838 grams. With so much food, heating it up in the microwave required doubling the cooking time to a whole six minutes. As he watched the pasta rotate in the microwave, P.K. found himself apprehensive about the meal to come. Would he truly be able to finish everything? Half-expecting that a bigger size would mean a blander taste, P.K. was pleasantly surprised to find that the sauce had a rich quality to it. As nice as it was, with so much food the flavor did get a little monotonous after a while, so he would recommend any partakers to add some Tabasco or grated cheese to mix it up a little bit. Getting halfway through, P.K.'s stomach started to complain and threatened to return-to-sender if he persisted in shoveling more food into his mouth, leading him to decide to save the other half for the following day. P.K., well known for his attempts to eat crazy amounts of food, was defeated by an unassuming bowl of pasta, but he still came away from the experience feeling completely satisfied. For the price, the amount you get is absurd. The Meat Sauce Spaghetti is without a doubt one of the powerhouses of the campaign; just the weight alone is enough to shock you. Even among the lineup for Week 4, starting in the evening of June 23, there is nothing heavier than this meal so it's definitely worth a try. Just remember to not eat beforehand if you want to down the entire thing in one sitting. Related: Lawson Photos ©SoraNews24 Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Lawson to bring back 47% volume-boosted foods by insanely popular demand -- Lawson Store 100 starts their own free upsize campaign to match its parent convenience store -- Japan Super Budget Dining – What's the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Lawson? External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
05-06-2025
- Japan Today
Japan's best rose gardens to visit
By Elliot Hale, SoraNews24 For many, when they connect the two words of 'Japan' and 'flower,' cherry blossoms are almost certainly what comes to mind. While hanami, or 'flower viewing,' is a popular springtime event for Japanese people, the appreciation of flowers is not limited to just cherry blossoms: there are many seasonal flowers that people nationwide flock to see. Plum blossoms, tulips, nemophilas, wisterias, azaleas, and hydrangeas, are just some of the many beautiful displays of nature, often with dedicated gardens for visitors to meander around in and admire. From mid-May to late June, roses are the main features of many of the country's gardens, so we've picked out some must-visit locations for you to head out and experience. ● Kyu-Furukawa Garden, Tokyo Image: PR Times A garden with a unique landscape, featuring a Western-style mansion on a hilltop, a rose garden on the slope, and a Japanese garden at the bottom of the hill. It truly is a one-of-a-kind view combining Western and Japanese aesthetics. Visitors also have a chance to see the 'Blue Moon' variety, which has topped popularity polls for two years running. Image: @Press The Spring Rose Festival will be held until June 30, with general admission costing 150 yen. Garden information Kyu-Furukawa Teien / 旧古河庭園 Address: Tokyo, Kita-ku, Nishigahara 1-27-39 東京都北区西ヶ原1-27-39 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Website ● Akirudai Park, Tokyo Image: @Press Designed in a European style with brick and marble, there are around 450 bushes of 110 varieties for visitors to enjoy at this metropolitan park. The park itself is spacious and offers scenic viewpoints, making for a relaxed outing. While free to enjoy, there are some facilities on the grounds that require a fee. Garden information Akirudai Koen / 秋留台公園 Address: Tokyo, Akiruno, Ninomiya 673-1 東京都あきる野市二宮673-1 Open 24 hours Website ● Jindai Botanical Gardens, Tokyo Image: @Press With approximately 400 varieties and 5,200 rose bushes, this garden is stunning. During the peak season, there is the Spring Rose Festival, where visitors can view the 18 varieties inducted into the World Federation of Rose Societies Hall of Fame, along with many rare and original species collections. Entry to the garden costs 500 yen. Garden information Jindai Shokubutsu Koen / 神代植物公園 Address: Tokyo, Chofu-shi, Jindaiji Motomachi-cho 5-31-1 東京都調布市深大寺元町5-31-1 Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) Website ● Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi Image: PR Times Arguably one of Japan's most famous flower destinations, we would be remiss to not include it on this list. While generally more known for its wisteria, during early summer, 500 varieties and 2,500 bushes decorate the landscape in full bloom. Plus, the garden is lit up at night until the end of May, making for a whole day of floral enjoyment. Admission varies depending on the status of the blooming flowers, so check their website for up-to-date information, but it is at 1,300 yen at the time of writing. Garden information Ashikaga Flower Park / あしかがフラワーパーク Address: Tochigi-ken, Ashikaga-shi, Hasama-cho 607 栃木県足利市迫間町607 Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Website ● Ibaraki Flower Park, Ibaraki Image: PR Times With over 900 varieties and 9,000 rose bushes, this is the season that the park is at its most beautiful. Take the opportunity to walk through a 60-meter (about 197-foot) rose tunnel, emerging out into a stunning rose garden. This year, there is even the debut of two new varieties developed in the prefecture: Shiho and Hitachi Otome. The rose festival will last until June 30 and will cost you between 1,200 and 1,800 yen, depending on how far along the roses are in their blooming cycle. Garden information Ibaraki Flower Park / いばらきフラワーパーク Address: Ibaraki-ken, Ishioka-shi, Shimoaoyagi 200-banchi 茨城県石岡市下青柳200番地 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Website ● Yokohama English Garden, Kanagawa Image: PR Times Having over 2,200 varieties, this garden allows you to enjoy roses from spring right the way through to fall, including many fragrant and repeat-blooming varieties. There are many other stunning rose spots within the city of Yokohama, such as Yamashita Park, Harbor View Park, Yamate Italian Garden, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Yokohama Children's Botanical Garden, and Nagahama Park, which would let you spend an entire weekend or more garden-hopping around the city. While the Rose Festival has now passed, you can still catch some flowers in bloom and at a lower ticket price, now costing only 1,000 yen, instead of the 1,500 yen it was during the peak season. Garden information Yokohama English Garden / 横浜イングリッシュガーデン Address: Kanagawa-ken, Yokohama, Nishi-ku, Nishihiranuma-cho 6-1, tvk ecom park-nai 神奈川県横浜市西区西平沼町6-1 tvk ecom park内 Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.) Website ● Sakura Kusabue no Oka, Chiba Image: PR Times This is an internationally recognized garden, having received the title of 'Hall of Fame Rose Garden' from the Great Rosarians of the World program in San Marino, USA. From May 10 to June 1, the Rose Festival 2025 is held with 1,250 varieties and 2,500 buses of roses in bloom, and will cost 410 yen to enter. Garden information Sakura Kusabue no Oka / 佐倉草ぶえの丘 Address: Chiba-ken, Sakura-shi, Iino 820-banchi 千葉県佐倉市飯野820番地 Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Website ● Gifu World Rose Garden, Gifu Image: PR Times Boasting a whopping 6,000 varieties and 20,000 bushes, this is easily among the top of Japan's gardens for sheer quantity of roses. It is split into two main gardens, with the first, the Rose Theme Garden, containing 14 sub-gardens with different themes, such as the Fragrant Rose Garden, and the Royal Rose Garden. The other main section is the Old Rose Garden, consisting of varieties that existed before the introduction of the first modern rose in the mid-1800s. Entry for the duration of the festival, which lasts until June 15, is 1,050 yen. Garden information Gifu World Rose Garden / ぎふワールド・ローズガーデン Address: Gifu-ken, Kani-shi, Seta 1584-1 岐阜県可児市瀬田1584-1 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Website ● Rosa & Berry Tawada, Shiga Image: PR Times The main areas of this English-style garden, like the Garden of Roses and Perennials and Rose Garden, are in full bloom, along with a unique area that contains rare wild species from China, Laos, and India. There's also a Shaun the Sheep Farm Garden, for fans of that lovable sheep, as well as a Fairy Garden that has homes that look like they could have come straight out of "Lord of the Rings." Image: PR Times Entrance fees start at 1,900 yen, but are currently at 2,200 yen due to the blooming season. Garden information Rosa & Berry Tawada / ローザンベリー多和田 Address: Shiga-ken, Maibara-shi, Tawada 605-10 滋賀県米原市多和田605-10 Open: Morning Rose Garden until June 1 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (last entry at 9 a.m.); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) Website ● Sora no Hanabatake Sera Kogen Hana no Mori, Hiroshima Image: PR times Sera Kogen allows you to enjoy flowers no matter the season. While there are four farms in the area, some of which are temporarily closed, Hana no Mori features a rose garden. With different areas that frequently change the spotlight flower depending on the season, each visit will look a little different. The festival will continue until June 29, and prices range from 700 to 1,200 yen, depending on the flowers. Garden information Sora no Hanabatake Sera Kogen Hana no Mori / そらの花畑 世羅高原花の森 Address: Hiroshima-ken Sera-gun, Sera-cho, Tobari, Soraguchi 1405-ban 広島県世羅郡世羅町戸張空口1405番 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.); June 8 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.); June 7 Twilight Entry 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (last entry at 6:30 p.m.) Website ● Reoma Flower World, Kagawa Image: PR Times During the Rose Festival held in spring and fall, various types of roses can be enjoyed throughout the park. New park-exclusive varieties Polly Bird and Woolly Glamour are making their debut this year. The Reoma Rose Garden, showcasing around 20,000 roses from around the world, and a rose garden supervised by The Rose of Versailles manga author Riyoko Ikeda, are both must-sees. Image: PR Times Entry to the park costs 2,000 yen, but attractions within the park all have separate fees, unless you buy the free pass for 4,600 yen. Garden information New Reoma World / NEWレオマワールド Address: Kagawa-ken, Marugame-shi, Ayauta-cho Kurikumanishi 40-1 香川県丸亀市綾歌町栗熊西40-1 Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) Closed Tuesdays Website ● Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka Image: PR Times During the rose season, this garden fills up with a sweet fragrance thanks to 220 rose varieties and around 1,800 bushes being in full bloom. A visit to this delightful little park will set you back 450 yen. Even if you are unable to make it to these gardens during the peak rose season, many of them have varieties that bloom more than once a year, as well as many other flowers. So, no matter when you visit, you will be sure to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons. Garden information Kokuei Umi no Naka Michi Kaihin Koen / 国営海の中道海浜公園 Address: Fukuoka-ken, Fukuoka-shi, Higashi-ku, Oaza Saitozaki 18-25 福岡県福岡市東区大字西戸崎18-25 Open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays in certain periods Website Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Stop and smell the flowers during the Spring Rose Festival at Tokyo's best rose garden -- Step inside a mystical, dazzling display of illuminations at the Flower Garden of Lights -- Japan's 160-year-old Great Wisteria of Tochigi is now in full bloom, ready for visitors【Photos】 External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Mister Donut and Gion Tsujiri bring hojicha heaven to Japan with these latest additions
By Elliot Hale, SoraNews24 Following rave reviews of the last installment of the dream collaboration of international donut chain Mister Donut and famous green tea specialists Gion Tsujiri, the second batch of this year's springtime tea-filled delights have arrived and made their way to our office for another donut review. Time and time again, this collaboration proves to be sublime, so what temptations does Mister Donut have in store for us this time round? The first set of donuts focused on matcha, but these two latest ones are all about hojicha (roasted green tea), and cost 270 yen to take-out, or 275 yen to eat-in. ● Uji Hojicha Hojicha Choco Azuki The first one has a name that's quite a mouthful. Uji Hojicha is a reasonable addition to the name of the product, being the name of the series and indicating that the hojicha it uses comes from the popular tea region of Uji in Kyoto. However, the latter half of the name feels as if the makers have just thought about what would be delicious together and threw it all together into the name itself. This simplistic yet clear naming resulted in the Hojicha Choco Azuki: a fusion of hojicha, chocolate and sweet red beans. The appearance is striking, looking as if it's covered in brown scales, or perhaps as if it's a raw mineral deposit. The chocolate shavings appeared to be glued onto the donut through the use of red bean paste. While clearly being integral to the structure of the donut, the azuki paste still plays an essential role in the overall flavor. Taking a bite, the first thing that hits you is the overwhelming deliciousness of the dough: the crisp dough crumbles easily in your mouth, making for an enjoyable eating experience. The bitter hint of the hojicha is outstandingly elegant. The dough by itself deserves to be a regular feature on their menu year-round. Both the chocolate and azuki toppings deliver a sweetness to the package, but each in their own way. Adding the textural combination of the soft paste and the hard chocolate really serves to elevate the quality of the donut to a new level. ● Uji Hojicha-zukushi With a name translating loosely to 'as much hojicha as posible,' we were expecting this next donut to be overflowing with it, and were not disappointed. Both the dough and the cream on top are entirely hojicha-flavored. Just the harmonious pairing of dry and crispy dough with the thick, soft cream is enough to make hojicha enthusiasts drool, but add in a sprinkling of hojicha soybean flour and you're hurled mouth-first into hojicha heaven. That's not everything this donut has to offer, though. Drizzling on the accompanying brown sugar syrup gives the donut a whole new layer of charm and the Japanese-ness of the flavor is accentuated even further. However, the second round of donuts doesn't end there. What we had failed to realize before rushing down to the store to pick up the latest donuts was that there was a third option to be found, which is only available through online ordering. Image: PR Times The Pon De Uji Matcha Deluxe Quintet (388 yen) is a donut designed to induce a matcha-overdose, with possibly the highest levels of matcha since the Mister Donut-Gion Tsujiri collaboration began. The matcha dough is coated with matcha-flavored chocolate, the two fillings are matcha whipped cream and matcha warabimochi (a jelly-like dessert with roasted soybean flour and brown sugar syrup), and finished off with a dusting of matcha powder. If the first collection of matcha donuts left you feeling wanting for more matcha, prepare to be conquered by this latest addition to the range. Just remember you need to order online a day in advance. With limited-time availability until the end of May, these three donuts, along with the original set, are not to be missed by fans of Japanese flavors. Related: Mister Donut Photos ©SoraNews24 (unless otherwise marked) Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Mister Donut teams up with Gion Tsujiri again, this time with Uji Matcha and Uji Hojicha flavors -- Mister Donut releases new Uji Matcha doughnut with Gion Tsujiri -- We try the four new offerings in the Mister Donut x Gion Tsujiri collaboration series【Taste test】 External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
21-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan starts selling smart salads in AI vending machine
By Elliot Hale, SoraNews24 Japan is famous for its vending machines. It could easily be dubbed the 'Land of the Vending Machines.' While most countries stick to selection of drinks and snacks, Japan's line-up also includes cute knick knacks and shocking discoveries. From origami to potential spouses: the country is littered with quirky and unusual vending machines. The latest example, unveiled in Tokyo, steers away from the shock value, but instead highlights smart technology and healthy eating, which are also things Japan does really well. Salad Stand is a vending machine service that allows passers-by to enjoy a healthy snack or drink on-the-go. This is a new plan introduced by Japanese wellness company Kompeito's Office De Yasai ('Vegetables at the Office') service, which started over ten years ago with the goal of helping office workers to eat a healthier, more balanced meal while they work. Kompeito felt that the lack of convenience was a major factor in people's choice to forego the greens and instead indulge in quick and unhealthy foods. The service gained traction over time, and now Kompeito is expanding beyond office walls to reach the general public. ▼ Grilled chicken Cobb salad, imitation snow crab and dried young sardines salad, luxurious smoked salmon and cheese salad Getting to enjoy a salad when you're out and about is nice, but nothing revolutionary. However, this is no ordinary vending machine: Kompeito have seen fit to incorporate AI into it. Built-in cameras track foot traffic and expiration dates, allowing the machine to dynamically adjust prices. So, the same salad you saw at lunch might cost less at dinner. Kompeito is on track to lift the curse of throwing away unwanted, short shelf-life salads once and for all. Combatting food loss is a noble cause, but are the products themselves worth buying? Let's take a look. Their main line-up consists of salads, juices and 'fruit granola.' Going by the name of the machine, there's no doubt that the salads are the stars. With eight different varieties, made with farm-fresh vegetables, you're bound to find something you like. Combined with meat, fish, fruits, and nuts, the salads are finished with a specially selected dressing to give it that final dash of perfection. The cold-pressed juices are made to preserve as much of the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, to keep the nutritional content high. They come in two different sizes, 250 and 400 milliliters, and can store up to one and a half kilograms of squeezed fresh produce within their bottles. These juices are sure to be a great way to get a boost of nutrition during a busy morning. Sad to see the amount of vegetable leaves and peels that get discarded, Kompeito have turned these nutrient-rich parts into tasty, crunchy fruit granola snacks. Each pack provides the daily recommended intake of fiber (based on men and women in their 30s and 40s), and are a tasty little way to enjoy vegetables anytime, anywhere. ▼ Carrot and black pepper So, where can you go if you want to be part of this futuristic salad experience? Sitting at the base of Tokyo Skytree is the shopping mall Tokyo Solamachi, which is also home to Sumida Aquarium. Within Tokyo Solamachi, on the second floor of the West Yard in Zone Three, you will find the Salad Stand vending machine just waiting for you to discover if you can get a good bargain on the delicious goods inside. However, if you were hoping for 24-hour access, you might be a little disappointed, as it follows the operating hours of the mall, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Or, if you happen to be in Kyoto, there's also one at Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai subway line. Whether you're after a healthy snack, or curious about the evolution of vending machine culture in Japan, this machine is certainly worth checking out. If you can't make it to Tokyo, perhaps you'll be inspired to rethink your own lunch routine, and keep food waste to the minimum. Location information Salad Stand Address: Tokyo, Sumida-ku, Oshiage, 1-chome 1-2, Tokyo Solamachi, West Yard, 2-kai, 3-banchi 東京都墨田区押上１丁目１−２東京ソラマチ ウエストヤード 2階3番地 Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Website Related: Tokyo Solamachi website Source, images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- The Perfect Vending Machine – for when you gotta have those fresh cut apples -- We found an underground Kyoto vending machine that sells multi-course French meals -- Vending machine with in-flight meals becomes a sell-out hit at Haneda Airport in Japan External Link © SoraNews24
