$10,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Dislike receiving emails? Then the Internet Escape Pod is for you!
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 5)
Japanese Twitter user’s crazily extreme device is perfect for when you need multiple tissues, stat.
Cheap, popular clothing line Uniqlo’s New York Times Square pop-up store’s bright lights are more Japanese than Japan.
Hit anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist characters Edward and Alphonse Elric have transformed again, but this time it’s not the result of alchemy.
Naive question prompts discussion about Disneyland eggs, existence of magical chickens and we get our chef’s hat and apron on.
Get 91,000 yen for wearing a black suit, tie and sunglasses in special one-off job offer from new variety TV show based on manga and anime series Ultimate Survivor Kaiji.
Happy Meal goodies even adults will want to get their hands on – Uno, Game of Life, Pop-up Pirate and other games get the McDonald’s treatment.
No need to have Jeeves ready one’s horse when you can call one a la The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Ignore friends and loved ones and concentrate on the important thing in life, ramen, with an Ichiran flavour-savour counter.
First lesson? Gaming. Second lesson? Gaming. Tokyo technical school offers courses to aspiring e-sports athletes.
To your left, excellent local amenities, and to your right, a Japanese man in his underwear battling bears and the undead with a pink trowel.
Biker captures beautiful and varied scenery of Japan, friendliness of fellow travellers, edited down into two short montage pieces.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Full-size Evangelion statue appears at Japanese theme park with entry plug synchronization tests
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Dragon Quest Super Light Cafe draws near! Command?
Sanma-men, the best ramen type that everyone in Japan forgets about
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Weekly
- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park- Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
- Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
- Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen- Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Dragon Quest Super Light Cafe draws near! Command?
Sanma-men, the best ramen type that everyone in Japan forgets about
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
7-Eleven now sells rice burgers in Japan, blurring the line between fast and convenience store food
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Mom of Japanese gamer son has sniper-precise criticism of his Apex Legends habit
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Why you shouldn’t call this food “Hiroshimayaki” if you’re talking to people from Hiroshima
-
