Back in August 2016, Japanese comedian and television personality Kazuhito Kosaka released his hit song PPAP (Pen Pineapple Apple Pen) his stage name Pikotaro which took the world by storm, earning headlines in international news media like CNN and BBC and receiving mentions by celebrities around the world including Justin Bieber.   To date, the PPAP music video has over 327 million views on YouTube (as of May 11, 2020). It was the number one most viewed video in the world on YouTube for three consecutive weeks. Pikotaro hailed as the first person in Japan to earn such a feat. The viral track also made Pikotaro the first Japanese artist to clock in the Billboard US's Hot 100 at No. 77 as well the shortest song to feature on the chart for which he receives a Guinness World Record.   Last month, Pikotaro released a 2020 version of PPAP, and has now dropped a brand new song entitled Hoppin' Flappin'.   On his YouTube channel, Pikotaro commented: "The #stayhome situation is ongoing so I made another new track!! Hop like a rabbit! Fly like a bird! Get your lazy body movin' with these jumps! Have fun with Hoppin' Flappin'! Can you complete the Hop and Flap? PIKOTARO was too old to do it! Let’s Hoppin' Flappin' with the new "PPAP"!!"   "Hoppin' Flappin'" / PIKOTARO

Back in August 2016, Japanese comedian and television personality Kazuhito Kosaka released his hit song PPAP (Pen Pineapple Apple Pen) his stage name Pikotaro which took the world by storm, earning headlines in international news media like CNN and BBC and receiving mentions by celebrities around the world including Justin Bieber.   To date, the PPAP music video has nearly 320 million views on YouTube (as of April 7, 2020). It was the number one most viewed video in the world on YouTube for three consecutive weeks. Pikotaro hailed as the first person in Japan to earn such a feat.   And now, the leopard print and sunglasses-wearing legend is back with a new 2020 version of PPAP, which encourages the people of the world to keep their hands clean during the ongoing coronavirus situation. Pikotaro conceived the song in response to the pandemic, wondering if there was anything he could do as Pikotaro. The he shot and produced the video home.  

PIKOTARO - PPAP-2020-

The original PPAP melody is kept the same, but the words are replaced with instructions to wash your hands, as well as to "Pray For People And Peace" (PPAP).

Singer-songwriter Pikotaro, known for the viral hit song Pen Pineapple Apple Pen, released his first album I have a PPAP digitally across 150 countries on July 13. The album features a total of 31 tracks including Pikataro's big hits throughout 2017-2018 such as PPAP as well as his newest song Can you see? I'm SUSHI. This record is the ultimate Pikotaro experience. Pikotaro has the following to say about his new song: "When I went to Belgium and spoke with the Belgian staff about making a song about something Japan is known for, I improvised while singing, and they found it really funny. I'm really happy to have been able to make a song in this way. Although Japan is a sushi country there's not a lot of songs about sushi, so I want both the people of the world and  of Japan to use this opportunity to sing about it!"  

  Pikotaro may be about to cause a sushi boom across the world, so be sure to check out the music video.    

The new automated money box speaks, plays music from the film, andburps after every deposit!

Studio Ghibli’s 2001 animated film Spirited Away remains the highest-earning anime in Japan, with much of its success due to its unique cast of magical characters. There’s a mysterious boy who turns into a dragon, a stinky bowl-hatted white radish, soot sprites who hide in the shadows, and of course, a lonely spirit called No Face.

As one of the main characters in the film, No Face is a lonely creature who becomes close to female protagonist Chihiro, only to turn into a hungry monster when exposed to the greed of people surrounding him in the magical bathhouse. His gold-and-human-devouring rampage is one of the highlights of the film, where he reveals a set of white teeth from beneath his expressionless mask as he eats everything in sight, including a frog spirit called Aogaeru.

The bromance is strong between these two singing sensations.

Ever since Piko Taro took YouTube by storm in August last year with his viral hit “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen“, the leopard-print loving Japanese star has had one very famous fan by his side: Justin Bieber. The Canadian singer, who also got his big break by posting videos on YouTube, showed his love for Piko Taro by sharing this clip on Twitter with his 90+ million followers.

Now, the two stars have finally met in person as part of a new ad campaign for Softbank, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications providers. While their hotly anticipated commercial is yet to air, Softbank recently released a teaser video showing us what went on behind the scenes when the two met while filming the ad. Let’s check out the clip below!

Steamed pork buns get a sweet companion that’s grabbing everyone’s attention in Japan.

Steamed pork buns, or nikuman, as they’re known in Japan, are hugely popular around the country, especially in the colder months when their hot, meaty fillings seem extra delicious. This winter, there’s a new steamed bun filling that’s set to warm your insides while tantalising your eyes and your taste buds, and it’s one of the sweetest and most unusual varieties we’ve ever seen!

It’s called the Marugoto Purinman, which translates to “Whole Custard Pudding Steamed Bun”, and it delivers on its title with an entire custard pudding, or crème caramel, hidden inside a beautifully decorated steamed bun.