Pinterest recently launched a local version in Japan. Locals are now able to use their Rakuten login to use the Japanese version of Pinterest. Prior to the launch, the Japanese could access Pinterest but the new local version makes the site friendlier to locals. It’s the latest in Pinterest’s attempts to take over the world, and it would appear plans are moving along quite smoothly.

As the pin board site has launched offices abroad, particularly in Europe, Pinterest has taken the MySpace approach to global domination: hire local leaders and work closely with local brands to take full advantage of local trends. It’s no different for Pinterest in Japan, as the social network enters one of the most technologically advanced and connected cultures in the world.

So, what could the Japanese be posting on Pinterest Japan?

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The latest Japanese craze

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Dragon Ball Z-ing

Dragon Ball Z is a popular anime TV series that debuted in 1988. There’s one move that is very popular to kids and even to adult fans of this series called the Kamehame Wave or the “Turtle Devastation Wave” or “Turtle Destruction Wave.” This is an energy attack that’s usually done to finish off the other combatant. The move was invented by Master Roshi by drawing his latent ki into the palms of his hands and expelling an explosive beam of ki energy. Some also call this Hadouken, a special attack move in Street Fighter. But don’t go saying they are the same thing unless you want to bring upon the wrath of Dragon Ball Z fans.

As for the Japanese trend, no one can actually perform this in real life so the Japanese have taken it upon themselves to make people believe that they can through photos. It takes one person doing the Kamehame Wave pose, then another person who appears to be hit by the energy burst, followed by a third person (or a camera on timer on a tripod) to compete the shot. This is something along the lines of Vadering.

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Lukewarm water and hot sodas

image courtesy of CocaCola

Japan has been experiencing sweltering weather in recent months. This has prompted offices and households to purchase powerful air conditioners. But this move has left some with chattering teeth and really cold hands. To compensate, some retailers have started selling lukewarm water and hot sodas to keep these cold people warm. Even Coca-Cola has introduced a version of its Canada Dry Ginger Ale that has been especially developed to be served at 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit).

And, as the weather grows colder through the winter, it is expected that revenue from selling warm drinks will increase as the Japanese prefer to drink warm or hot beverages during the cold season. So this something we can expect to see on Pinterest Japan; that is, people indulging in a warm cup of water or a hot cup of soda.

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Owl cafés

Forget Starbucks. That is so 2013. The Japanese are now enjoying their hot coffees and sweet lattes amidst the company of live owls. Yes, you read that right: owls. Owl cafés or “fukurou cafés” are coffee shops that host live owl.

The rationale behind this is, most people who go to coffee shops do so at night and, as we know, owls are nocturnal. So it’s an interesting fusion for coffee and nature lovers. You get to see what owls do at night without having to go camping. Plus, you can take tons of photos of the various owls in the café.

The cafés aren’t exploiting the birds; they need to get the proper permit to bring these majestic birds indoors. They also need to know the proper care and handling technique so as to not harm the birds. The goal of the cafés is to raise awareness of the birds for their benefit. But, no matter how careful the cafés are, this practice is bound to anger animal rights activists.

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Kawaii

Ever wonder why some Japanese women look as if they stepped right out of a manga comic book? They look like dolls or manga characters with their big eyes and colorful hair. This practice is called Kawaii, which is defined as “lovable, cute or adorable” and refers to anything from food and toys to clothing and mannerisms that are deemed cute.

But most often, Kawaii is used to refer to the manga-like fashion ensemble worn by the ladies. This trend has invaded other countries – even those in Britain have embraced the craze. This look is popular to some ladies who prefer to be called cute rather than sexy. But if you ask some males, this cute look is the epitome of sexy.

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Oculolinctus

How do you express love? Some demonstrate their affection by kissing, hugging, being intimate or with expensive gifts. But in Japan, showing affection can be a bit vomit-inducing for the public. Oculolinctus, or eyeball licking, is a craze going around in Japan among students anxious to uniquely express their love for one another.

The problem with this practice, aside from it being quite disgusting, is that it can lead to infection and even cause blindness. Some do it because it turns them on, while others get turned on when they get licked in the eyeball. It may seem weird to many, but hey, they say you do crazy things when you’re in love. 

photo credit: aiscube  via photopin cc

photo credit: Extra Medium via photopin cc