
Ummm…thanks?
Moving to another place is a cocktail of complicated emotions: excitement, stress, worry, and perhaps relief at the end of the process. From finding the right city to preparing the logistics, there’s a lot that can go right and a lot that can go wrong. But for one Japanese netizen, who was checking out their new abode before the big move, an unexpected offering was awaiting in the kitchen oven.
Things were going as usual for the netizen, Legend Tamura (@onani_shun), when inspecting their new home until they reached the kitchen. Of course, one of the natural things to do when examining any kitchen is to check the state of its appliances, but when the netizen cracked open the oven, instead of finding an empty grate and maybe some leftover residue from the previous occupant’s baking adventures, what greeted them was an already baked sweet potato.
▼ This feels like the punchline to some joke, but what’s the joke?
Baked sweet potatoes, known as yaki imo in Japanese, can be enjoyed year-round, though their toasty yellow insides and sweet but mild fragrance are especially popular on chilly autumn days.
Upon closer inspection of this sweet potato, one can see a few welts of brown along its dry skin, no doubt not the nicest thing to witness on a busy day. Whether it’s just mold or the potato’s baked skin mummified over time, we’ll never know, but it’s highly possible the previous occupant of Legend Tamura’s new place baked the potato and simply forgot about it, which happens to the best of us.
▼ Or this could just be a very drawn out prank, though I’d be a little sore someone wasted a sweet potato like that.
Japanese netizens reacted in delight, amusement, and speculation:
“Now that you’ve posted a pic of this potato, the person who formerly lived there knows who’s taking over after them.”
“So how’s the taste?”
“I think the only right thing to do here is to return the potato to its rightful owner.”
“Maybe this is a housewarming gift from your landlord?”
“That sweet potato looks pretty well-baked.”
“Take care of the potato. It’s probably tuber important to the previous occupant.”
Shriveled and possibly forgotten sweet potatoes aside, at least this situation seems a lot easier to clean up versus an actual bamboo stalk growing through your kitchen floor.
Source, images: Twitter/@onani_shun via Hachima Kiko
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!


Eat Japanese street food at home with this amazing sweet potato maker
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Does a poopy butthole translate to lottery-winning riches in Japan? The results are in!
Cup Noodle Sodas: Culinary innovation or beverage abomination?
Godiva Dessert joins the cute crepe game in Harajuku
Golden Bomber cosplays Japanese glam rock in their new music video【Video】
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Only 100 Limited Edition Matcha Green Tea Moon Pies On Sale, Cost More Than You Can Imagine
Beautiful Japanese race queen goes from trackside to driver’s seat as she becomes pro drifter
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply