$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’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Six ice creams you should try at Baskin-Robbins Japan, according to staff who work there
Weekly
- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?- Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]- Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time- Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Six ice creams you should try at Baskin-Robbins Japan, according to staff who work there
16 Things I Learned From Dressing in Drag: Confessions of a One-night Crossdresser
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Elementary and junior high students speak out on Japan’s strangest school rules
Japan’s top five retro hot springs for a time trip back to the onsen past, as chosen by travelers
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Making igisu, a traditional Japanese food even most Japanese people don’t know about【SoraKitchen】
-
