Richard Simmonds
Originally from Sussex in the UK, Richard came to Japan for the first time in 2011 to teach English. Deciding that only one stint as a student wasn’t enough he returned to go to university in Osaka where he still lives, working slowly towards his inevitable destiny of being killed in an avalanche of manga and textbooks, surrounded by the discarded wrappers of assorted matcha-flavour sweets and biscuits. Whilst continuing his love-hate- hate relationship with the Japanese language he works as a translator, writer and sometime bar pet gaijin.
Posted by Richard Simmonds (Page 2)
In our quest to find a cheese-laden pizza we can eat guilt-free, we’ve come across a Japanese-style concoction that’s surprisingly delicious.
Monkeys with typewriters can write Shakespeare but can machines create anime as well as humans?
If you wanna know, if he loves you so, it’s in his… political engagement, that’s where it is.
Japanese Twitter user’s methods work just as well (or not) with Hi-Chew as with any other kind of recalcitrant sweet or candy.
Loincloths make a comeback with the popularity of fundoshi dance videos and the oppressive heat of Japanese summer rearing its ugly head.
Remember the time we hired a lookalike and reenacted a classic Jackie Chan fight? Of course we do, we still have the video evidence!
Is Japan Lilliput? Chair company appealing to ‘short-legged and short-bodied’ Japanese seems to think so.
One parent and Twitter user experiences the joy of catching Pikachu in Pokémon GO, but it’s all too short-lived.
Like automotive magpies, we fall in love with something shiny. Now just to find a(nother) car to put it in.
Perplexing perspectives: when left is right, and right is right, our brains melt but we’re impressed nonetheless.
Model/celebrity finds confusing sign telling us to do, or not do, something involving small cats and big shoes.
The story of the man who brought us Pikachu and countless other fantastical creatures to feature in an educational manga next month.
Steak, dollars and men with guns (somewhere probably); we have a Las Vegas-lite experience at a U.S. military casino in Okinawa.
Thieves used machinery to steal flowering cherry blossom branches and tree trunks from a park in Osaka Prefecture.
Nothing makes for a cosier interior than a lizard spitting out radioactive heat rays over you and your house guests.
Japanese social media users fall in love as dog chases down Google Street View car many times its size.
It seems putting on rose-tinted spectacles not only makes you feel nostalgic, it also makes the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms even better.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
Weekly
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls- Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Yearly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
These rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?
Family Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
Japan’s Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon mailboxes to be removed at end of month
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New research reveals that the key to efficient memorization may be in exhaling
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
-
