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
Today
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]
Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
Weekly
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Monthly
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open- Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
This historical Kyoto zen garden is hosting a guitar and beatbox concert
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Holy Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
We turn to a shady Amazon Japan gadget to try to stop Tokyo crows from stealing our hangers
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
-
