Gundam on Cup Noodle 〜カップヌードル ガンダム〜

This year is the anniversary year of 30 years for Gundam (ガンダム). Hmm yes that is why Nisshin offers the famous Cup Noodle (カップヌードル) with Gundam models. It is limited offer as you can imagine, and the models are apparently 1/380 scale of the real size.

I don't know too much about Gundam, but hey, when there is a model in 1:1 scale, I have to say it is huge in Japan! I mean, someone paid $2.6 million yen (US$30,000) to auction off the right to be beside the big gundam's face (refer photo).

The model was placed in Odaiba, Tokyo for about 2 months as the part of the event in July and August but now it's been removed...

Twilight 〜トワイライト〜

Has everyone seen The Twilight Saga: New Moon (ニュームーン／トワイライト　サーガ)? I thought it was amazing. I have read the book in Japanese and I have been a big fan of the series! I think the movie is really good too. Japanese book has gone for 13 books! I don't know how, because English one are only 4 books altogether. They are divided into quite thin books. They are available on Amazon if anyone is interested. I love the illustration on cover pages!

Let's compare the pictures of characters drawn by GotsuboXRyuji (ゴツボＸリュウジ) for Japanese books and the cast in the movie for fun...

Pretty good. I love Edward!

Tarako Kewpie ～たらこキューピー～

Kewpie (キューピー) has always been my favourite brand because their mayonnaise is awesome!!  Those Tarako Kewpies (たらこキューピー) for Tarako Pasta sause series are adorable though they are a little scary. They can be big or small...what are they trying to do!? The red, pink and orange Kewpies each represents different pasta sause.

Hello Kitty Stamps 〜日本郵便 キティちゃん切手〜

My friend, Shiho-chan, sent me a parcel from Japan last week and look what it had!! Cute Hello Kitty stamps (キティちゃん切手)!!

So I did some research on the JP Post website.. They have lots of stamp series for cute characters. It is actually good idea to send parcel with those stamps because it's so special and people will love it. Here are some other ones I found.

Pika Pika

Isn't it sooo cool!? Pika Pika is made of series of photos taken with long exposure. What I really love about Pika Pika is that it involves lots of people. The more people the more fun!! It can be in any context and It's just really fun to make and ofcourse really fun to watch.

Mobile phones desined by Yayoi Kusama ～草間彌生～

Yayoi Kusama (草間彌生) designed a series of mobile phones for KDDI. They are hand-made limited editions. "My Doggie Ring- Ring - 私の犬のリンリン" (middle) and "Dots Obsession, Full Happiness with Dots - ドッツ・オブセッション、水玉で幸福いっぱい" (right) cost 1,000,000 yen (US$11,000) each!! "Hand Bag for Space Travel - 宇宙へ行くときのハンドバッグ" (left) costs 100,000 yen (US$1,000) probably because it doesn't have fancy box set like the other two.

I have been to Yayoi Kusama's exhibition in Wellington last week. Her world of dots is really amazing. It's crazy but awesome!

LEDSAUR by Face Off and Furniture Design Agra ～レッドサウルス～

LEDSAUR (レッドサウルス) is a do-it-yourself dinosaur LED light. It comes in a flat piece of sheet metal with LED lights to make a dinosaur yourself!! using pliers..! There are large size (35 - 45 cm after made into the dinosaur shape) and medium size (20 - 30 cm after made into the dinosaur shape) and the choice of LED light on only the head or on both the head and the body.

Bottle Openers by Masanori Oji ～栓抜き 大治将典～

New bottle openers designed by Masanori Oji (大治将典). The top one on the main photo is called "Waku 枠" (Frame), the bottom left is "Mikazuki 三日月" (Crescent) and the bottom right is "Nisshoku 日食" (Solar eclipse). They are all made out of brass and solid as. My favourite one has to be "Mikazuki". It is very neat design and really easy to open the bottle too.

Monoe Mugs ～モノエ マグカップ～

Cute mugs designed by Monoe (モノエ). There are variations with a house, staircase, chair, ledders and more. As you drink coffee (or something you can't see through), here it is! a little Monoe world shows up. Monoe also makes plates and other artworks.

Christian Dior Omotesando, Tokyo ～ディオール表参道～

Christian Dior Omotesando (ディオール表参道) looks amazing. Its translucent façade stands out with the light at night. It looks like soft fabric floating on the surface, very feminine, elegant and mysterious. Omotesando is definitely the place to go when visiting Tokyo. It is clean and beautiful and there are many really cool architectures, cafes and restaurants. Other must-sees in Omotesando includes Tod's building (TOD'S表参道ビル) designed by Toyo Ito and Louise Vuitten building (ルイ・ヴィトン表参道ビル) designed by Jun Aoki.