"愛"しています

Whaddya think? Did Japanese regional beer Takahashi come up with the idea for these brews as part of market expansion plans to America's red and blue states, as an ode to the choice given Neo of Matrix fame, or out of nostalgia toward Dr. Seuss?

C:  Looks yummy! 

Star shaped sand is actually the shell of forum, micro creature living in the ocean. There are several beaches where star sands are found in Okinawa. Okinawa people call it as Happy Sand or Love Sand. 

Phosphorescent material absorbs sun light or artificial light and emit the light in the dark. The sands keep to glow for 5 hours with 30 minutes of absorbing light. It's durable for semi permanent use. It doesn't need any power source. Eco-friendly product for next generation.

Bottle size: approx. 3cm / 1.18in

Just in case you don't expect to experience any romance on your own this Valentine's Day in Japan, you can always drop by Tully's for a taste of this seasonal indulgence: Tully's Romance Strawberry Mocha.

As this large-scale subway poster from Japan sake maker Gekkeikan shows, even the nation's most traditional beverages are now available in sugarless alternatives.

This new zero-calorie soda from Japanese beverage company Calpis adds ginger flavoring to the brand's traditional yogurty base. The sophisticated package really pops and got me to easily part with 150 yen. Unfortunately, the design is more satisfying than the beverage itself, which is lightweight and nearly tasteless. Given the creamy background and the swirling hurricane graphic, I had been hoping for something along the lines of a crispy cream soda. Maybe next time.

So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that led from Kyoto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other. The journey was more tiring than they expected, for they did not know much about traveling, and halfway between the two towns there arose a mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what was the surprise of each to see another frog before him!

They looked at each other for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. It was delightful to find that they both felt the same wish--to learn a little more of their native country--and as there was no sort of hurry they stretched themselves out in a cool, damp place, and agreed that they would have a good rest before they parted to go their ways.

"What a pity we are not bigger," said the Osaka frog; "for then we could see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on."

"Oh, that is easily managed," returned the Kyoto frog. "We have only got to stand up on our hind legs, and hold onto each other, and then we can each look at the town he is traveling to."

This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and put his front paws on the shoulder of his friend, who had risen also. There they both stood, stretching themselves as high as they could, and holding each other tightly, so that they might not fall down. The Kyoto frog turned his nose towards Osaka, and the Osaka frog turned his nose towards Kyoto; but the foolish things forgot that when they stood up their great eyes lay in the backs of their heads, and that though their noses might point to the places to which they wanted to go, their eyes beheld the places from which they had come.

"Dear me!" cried the Osaka frog, "Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!"

"If I had had any idea that Osaka was only a copy of Kyoto I should never have traveled all this way," exclaimed the frog from Kyoto, and as he spoke he took his hands from his friend's shoulders, and they both fell down on the grass. Then they took a polite farewell of each other, and set off for home again, and to the end of their lives they believed that Osaka and Kyoto, which are as different to look at as two towns can be, were as alike as two peas.

Japanese candy company takes a step forward by doing things in reverse

New eye-popping snack from Japan Frito Lay

The latest surprising product from Japan Frito Lay?  "Caffeine Snacks." 

Japanese can now enjoy "Soy sauce" soda

It's obviously a gimmick, obviously targeting kids, who can enjoy shocking their parents and friends when they take a big gulp out of what looks to be a soy sauce bottle—something that would likely induce immediate retching if done for real. The display case at the convenience store was plastered with warnings such as: "This is not soy sauce. Do not drink attempt to drink real soy sauce."

New chocolate beer to debut in Japan

Japan's Sapporo Brewery and domestic confectioner Royce will start selling Chocolat Brewery, a limited-edition beverage, starting next Wednesday, January 14. The bitter malt brew is infused with chocolate flavor and will be available order-only through the Sapporo website until just January 23 (with deliveries around February 10). A three-pack is priced at 1,480 yen, more than $5 per can.