Japanese high school girls may be some of the thinnest in the world, but more than half think they’re fatties, and only a third are happy with their bodies.
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 3)
Can comedians Takashi and Saito-san use their power of alopecia for good, and get kids studying kanji?
The (culinary) world goes topsy-turvy with mint chocolate chip sushi and fish-flavoured doughnuts.
Hint: marriage might be more likely to go well if the sight of your beloved-to-be doesn’t make you throw up a little in your mouth.
Bathe in the warm glow of owning something recycled, and a light bulb, with these magic cardboard lamps.
Students rejoice and adults gripe as the government Agency for Cultural Affairs declares some writing “rules” undecided.
Normally feel a bit peckish during an ultra-marathon? Then stop for some udon noodles, six times!
Japanese exam writers have a sense of humour, confound students who studied rather than pursued romance.
Feel like Vulcan in his forge and work metal with your bare hands with just a roll of cheap foil.
The slide in a children’s playground in Ehime, not suitable for children, will be no more after injuries and safety worries.
Manners maketh the man. Unless he’s at a convenience store, according to some Japanese social media users as debate over manners erupts.
According to one little sister, the key to getting a girlfriend or boyfriend? Loneliness, and not going to amusement arcades on your own.
As the old saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, not through sewage pipes.
The universe’s cutest Star Warrior, and star of Nintendo games, Kirby uses his Copy Ability to become huggable…that or it’s an adorably soft toy.
Solve the puzzle to unlock a door, surely! …what do you mean “maybe we should take a break from gaming?”
Who needs love, when you’ve got friends, and 15.2 people’s worth of chocolate? And we can at least help with the last one, with a yummy recipe!
Clearing snow is hard work. Besides, you don’t need to see where you’re going when you’re driving, right?
Father-to-be from Arizona gets more than the one million Facebook likes needed to persuade his wife to call their newborn Son Goku.
Survey reveals foreign visitors of different nationalities have similar tastes when it comes to Japanese experiences, but not Japanese food.
Hokkaido-based chocolatier Royce‘s limited-edition Valentine’s Day chocolates will have you salivating, and dusting off your Gollum impression.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Is a snow day the perfect day to beat the crowds at a popular ramen restaurant? [Experiment]
Sanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
Testing Japan’s fluffy mayonnaise pancake cooking hack【SoraKitchen】
McDonald’s Japan hack: What happens when you put an apple pie inside a Big Mac?
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character badges to its streetwear shop in Japan
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Satisfy your sweet tooth with cheesecake and more all-you-can-eat sweets at Cheese Garden
We went to Shibuya’s swanky Saunas to sweat away all of our troubles
Weekly
- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth- Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Yearly
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- 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
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】- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
McDonald’s Japan hack: What happens when you put an apple pie inside a Big Mac?
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character badges to its streetwear shop in Japan
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Satisfy your sweet tooth with cheesecake and more all-you-can-eat sweets at Cheese Garden
We went to Shibuya’s swanky Saunas to sweat away all of our troubles
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
We asked a Niantic insider 30 questions about Pokémon Go, learned a lot of useful information
Five reasons Japan’s karaoke boxes are great places for group study sessions with your classmates
Nissin develops instant-yakisoba-flavored instant yakisoba UFO【Taste Test】
Japan’s secret garbage problem–and what you can do to help
Turn your cat’s toilet trips into day-spa visits with this adorable “onsen” litter box
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
-
