Whoohoo, party’s on tonight! Happy, happy, joy, party rock is in the house tonight!! Drinking parties (nomikai) in Japan go off. Can’t wait!!!
But hold on… there’s a catch. It’s still common for smoking to be permitted in bars in Japan. You might not notice it, but as soon as you get home it hits you like a karate chop to the nose—the stink of cigarette smoke. Even if you weren’t smoking yourself, the second-hand smoke will make your clothes reek, right down to your stinky underwear. Yes, even if you didn’t expose your underwear. Yuck.
Could this simple trick be the solution?
Is there any way to quickly and easily remove the stench from your clothes? Obviously, the best way is to wash them straight away, but who has time for that? You know, you might have better things to do. But a search online tells us that… hey, there is an easy way!
Here’s how you do it in two easy steps!
1. Grab your tobacco-smelly clothes.
2. Shake them up and down as hard as you can.
That’s all??? Really, no way!!!
The theory goes that if you shake the clothes hard enough, the smoke particles will fall out. Hmmm, it seems too easy…
Keen to find out if it would actually work, we put it to the test.
With great timing, RocketNews24 Japan‘s Yoshio was enjoying his cigarette break, and kindly agreed to blow smoke all over a cardigan for us.
▼Smoooooke!
▼One more for good measure, eh?
▼Nothing if not thorough!
Yoshio did such a thorough job, the cardigan reeked to high heaven. Sniffing it was like sticking my nose in an ashtray. So now to shake it up and down and make it all better!
▼Shake it like a polaroid! Shake what your mama gave you!
Shake it, shake it, shake it… I shook it up and down with all my strength. And as a result… *unh* …!!! Well… it’s a bit less smelly.
The smell isn’t totally gone, but it’s certainly much better. Still, if anyone tells you that you can clean the smoke from your clothes just by shaking them, don’t believe it—that would be a miracle. Remember this lesson, so that I didn’t shake in vain.
Original article by Usagi Yumeno
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]







How to make your own sold-out Uniqlo Airism mask in less than two minutes
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】