Tag - toys-r-us

 
 

TOYS R US

Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 8, 2014
Kendama: a whole new ball game
Almost every child that has grown up in Japan has seen a kendama, a wooden traditional Japanese toy consisting of a ken (sword) and tama (ball) connected by a length of string.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 8, 2014
Kendama: spin doctors
On the streets of Tokyo, Zoomadanke's "Kodaman" (Takeshi Kodama) and "Easy" (Hiroki Iijima) look like any other young men in their 20s or 30s. The second they start playing kendama, however, the pair will put on a performance that completely redefines the traditional wooden toy.
WORLD
Oct 18, 2014
Ebola-themed plush toys doing brisk sales
It may be the only time you will find these words in the same sentence: "Ebola" and "Add to Wishlist."
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Oct 17, 2014
J-blip: Kokoro Scanner knows what's in your heart of hearts
Are you telling the truth? The Kokoro Scanner has the last word on that.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: TECH
Oct 17, 2014
Self-indulge with perfect selfies, twilight baths and more
Paying by iPhone
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 14, 2014
'Gacha gacha' machines not just for kids anymore
Among the wide array of vending machines peddling items from the everyday to the obscure, one staple in Japan is the toy-dispensing "gacha gacha," which is named after the handle-turning noise that precedes the release of the plastic capsule.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN WEB WATCH
Jul 12, 2014
The pros and cons of kids owning smartphones
Smartphones are everywhere now, and their diffusion has spread from adults to students in high school, then junior high and now even elementary school. The trend has led to the question: When and how should kids use smartphones?
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Jun 12, 2014
International Tokyo Toy Show allows a peek at Christmas hits
It's that time of year again. Children erupt with joy as they see their favorite anime characters come to life, and tech-savvy young adults scramble to figure out the latest cutting-edge gadgets. It's not Christmas, but the International Tokyo Toy Show runs a close second.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2014
Company's artists turn children's drawings into one-of-a-kind toys
A business founded by a Tokyo university student is turning children's drawings into one-of-a-kind toys, with some parents willing to pay more than ¥10,000 for the custom-made items.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / TELLING LIVES
Feb 14, 2014
Storied family-run toy shop 'sells dreams' to Tokyo tourists
'Continuing a small toy shop for five generations is a kind of miracle,” says Masaki Terao, 58, proprietor and purse-string holder at Toys Terao, which his family has been running on Nakamise-dori in front of Asakusa's Sensoji Temple for nearly 130 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 7, 2014
Building block creator seeks to spur kids' creativity
The Japanese creator of building-block sets for children that have become popular in Asia and Europe believes toys should promote children's healthy growth and help them communicate with their parents.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 6, 2014
World Hobby Fair could be this weekend's game plan
See and try the latest in all manner of games at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair, where companies will be plugging new and upcoming releases, limited editions and other merchandise.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Jun 15, 2013
[Video] International Tokyo Toy Show 2013
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jun 14, 2013
Christmas in June for Tokyo
Who hasn't been caught in the Christmas-gift shopping rush, and found themselves wishing they could have had private access to Santa's workshop instead?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Jun 13, 2013
Tokyo Toy Show . . . for little people and grown-up kids
Manufacturers from Japan and overseas gather in Tokyo to show off the latest in toy tech.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2013
“Mr. Children 2005-2010
My Japan Times colleague Ian Martin nailed the state of Japanese pop music when he wrote that it was "clinging on to the hoary old remains of the past." The Oricon Chart's top albums of 2012 list was dominated by "Best Of" compilations, with the top two spots going to a pair released by rock band Mr. Children, put out to celebrate the quartet's 20th anniversary. "Mr. Children 2005-2010 <macro>" sold 1.16 million copies and was 2012's best-selling CD. It's a fitting representation of the state of J-pop entering 2013 — a serviceable collection of songs with a few strong moments, but ultimately an exercise in playing it safe.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
May 9, 2012
JAL builds a social media campaign, one block at a time
JAL taps into social media and gamificiation to promote its new Boston-Tokyo route.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Aug 5, 2011
B-kyu boom: The magnificence of the mediocre
There's a B-kyu (class) for everything, which doesn't make it any less important.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores