Virtual Craze In Japan: Virtual Pets, Fashion And Lovers

Japan hearts virtual everything... Virtual what? Signs that say "No Pets allowed!" are signs no pet lover wants to see... Most of us are so attached to our adorable poochies and kitties.There are also those allergic to pet dander.

Not to worry because Japan being one of the vanguards in all the techie-stuff from decades ago invented an egg-shaped toy best known as the TAMAGOTCHI!


The original Tamagotchi toy used a dot matrix interface with three buttons A (scroll/ select), B (choose/ set), and C (cancel). Taking care of your virtual pet was easy with the basic needs of your pet namely Health, Games, Toilet, Food, Discipline, Friends, Light and Attention.

You can also interact with other Tamagotchis using the toy's infrared capabilities. Whenever your Tammy beeps for attention, look at it and check what it needs. With enough love, care and attention, you are sure to grow and nurture a healthy and happy Tamagotchi.


Tamagotchis we sugggest are:

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3
Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop
Tamagotchi Connection V 4.5 Original Virtual Pet - Tiger Stripes

That is only the beginning! When it came to fashion,Japanese street fashion, (read previous blog posts about Wacky street wear) is very influential among fashion girls the world over. Koei created the POP CUTIE Street Fashion Game that is available for the Nintendo DS.

Check out Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation here.

The game is so interesting! One can hire models, run a boutique, sells clothes, ( what every girl dreams of!) and get a chance to be a fashion designer by capturing and combining “images” from real kids on the street.



What is even more fun is the fashion battles where you get to be up against another pop cutie to design an outfit based on a certain amount of items and your outfit will be judged based on several criteria.

This Nintendo DS game would make a great gift to that girl in fashion school or to that girl who's always longed to be in fashion but is working as doctor or an accountant and needs to past time, take long trips on the train, or gets stuck in a really boring conference!
You can get the Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation online.

Virtual pet is the answer for those with pet allergies and those who can't live with pets in their buildings...or to simply outwit the NO PETs allowed sign Pop Cutie is the answer to a fashionable girl's dreams! You are never too young or too old to train to be a fashion designer!

Of course Japan being OTT (over the top!) has gone beyond just creating virtual pets and virtual design stores, - the Japanese have gone gaga for virtual boyfriends and girlfriends!

If you don't believe us check out this uber famous Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend)
, a robot designed to be the perfect boyfriend.

A major proof the Japanese can be really serious with this virtual craze, a Japanese man married his virtual girlfriend!!!  Watch it here.

Our take on this craze?
We live life on the fast lane. Some of us work 12-hour shifts, and some of us do not have the opportunity to own a pet, go to fashion school, buy the most coveted gadgets...while some of us are simply unlucky in love.

Hey if one click of a button can make you:

• Play with an egg-shaped toy with a pet on a bad day, no matter where you live
• Enjoy several hours a week in this life
• Laugh and de-stress
• Battle loneliness we all go through...

Let's not spoil the fun :)

All is fair in love,war and the virtual world!

How To Get Japanese Anime-Inspired Hairstyles

Now how do Japanese men, and some women, get those really spiky hairstyles that stay up all day?

These kinds of spiky 'do don't t stay up by themselves without styling products for sure. But what kind do the Japanese use the most?

Gatsby Moving Rubber hair series:

Gatsby's Official Product Description:

Creates a variety of styles that with flexible texture and definition.

You can keep reshaping the hair with your hands all day. Lightweight formula containing newly engineered polystretch fiber called the moving rubber. Gives a pliable hold. Non greasy or oily. Fresh green apple scent. No preservatives. 

Gatsby's  Moving Rubber hair line comes in different colors and varieties too:

Use the hair rubber on towel-dried hair. The consistency is thick enough for you to be able to style using your fingers or a comb in the direction you want your Japanese hairstyle to point to. Have fun with it!

Tokyo, The Center Of Asian Fashion

Who doesn't want to visit this trend-setting, ultra modern, seemingly both odd and uber cool city?

There is no place like Tokyo. It may not be for the cheapskates or the nature-loving traveler, but nobody can argue that Tokyo is fascinating!

What makes Tokyo remarkable is not just the fashion sense of its citizens but also the dazzling arrays of world-class hotels, restaurants, and of course the fashion choices available in Tokyo.

Tokyo has been called one of the three command centers in the whole planet along with London and New York!

Shibuya

Shibuya, a ward of Tokyo among a few other districts, has one of the busiest railroad station in the metropolis.  Shibuya is also one of the major fashion centers in Japan. This area is well-loved and populated by the trendy youth of Japan and has a vibrant nightlife.

Dogen-zaka is one of the major streets in Shibuya that boasts a wide selection of night clubs...and love hotels.

Omotesando is another famous street in Shibuya that hosts dozens of designer and branded stores. This strip leads up to the Meiji Shrine.

 And of course we can't talk about Shibuya and not mention...

Harajuku

Harajuku is the name of a train stop in the Shibuya district. This is also where all the fun happens when it comes to wacky Japanese fashion.

Every Sunday young Japanese flock here in their Gothic Lolita, Cosplay and other Japanese fashion styles (see previous post).

Harajuku has also been made more popular in the International community by Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Girls", the pop star's team of wildly-dressed Japanese girls who dance around with her on tours and videos for her successful album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby.

Check out more pics of Japanese, and even European, teens displaying their delightful and uber unique fashion trends in the streets of Harajuku, Shibuya:

 Get the Harajuku chick look today and stand out with these fabulous 
online finds:

How To Fold Shirts The Japanese Way. Fast And Efficient! Cho Kawai

Wow, talk about taking a mundane and robotic task like folding a shirt and making it so efficient you can do it as quickly as a...uh robot!

Let the Japanese teach you how:



This way you free up more time to surf online or play with your Nintendo DS!
Who likes chores anyway?

Sexy Japanese McDonald's TV Commercial

Only in Japan. We don't think we've seen "Ronald McDonald" and Mrs. McDonald look this yummy.

I'm lovin' it!