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)

Money-less Japanese diner offered chance to pay later, phones police himself

When store manager refuses to call the cops, man who can’t pay for his meal does it for him.

Read More

Hamster anime song has Taiwanese club-goers throwing shapes in the church of dance 【Video】

Surreal scene as dancers in Taipei club go wild for remix of Japanese Hamtaro anime theme song.

Read More

Protect yourself from that dastardly Internet with a KFC Internet Escape Pod

$10,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Dislike receiving emails? Then the Internet Escape Pod is for you!

Read More

Hakone Beer will celebrate 20th anniversary, give away 1,500 beers at special Tokyo event

Free beer on tap! It doesn’t matter what else I write here. Free beer!

Read More

Twitter user’s ridiculous tissue launching invention will revolutionise getting a cold【Video】

Japanese Twitter user’s crazily extreme device is perfect for when you need multiple tissues, stat.

Read More

Is this the set of the new Blade Runner film? No, it’s Uniqlo in New York

Cheap, popular clothing line Uniqlo’s New York Times Square pop-up store’s bright lights are more Japanese than Japan.

Read More

Lotteria to commemorate “Good Meat Day” with their meatiest steak sandwich yet

Sounds like this might be the best Good Meat Day ever.

Read More

Alloy-ha! Sanrio & Fullmetal Alchemist collaboration results in wonderfully cute character goods

Hit anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist characters Edward and Alphonse Elric have transformed again, but this time it’s not the result of alchemy.

Read More

How to make Tokyo Disneyland’s awesome Mickey Mouse eggs at home!【SoraKitchen】

Naive question prompts discussion about Disneyland eggs, existence of magical chickens and we get our chef’s hat and apron on.

Read More

Manga-based game show ups the ante with part-time jobs offering $805 for two days’ work

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.

Read More

McDonald’s Japan celebrates Happy Meal 30th anniversary with awesome travel-size board games

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.

Read More

Is this the real-life? Is this just fantasy? Zelda fan summons Epona-like horse with music

No need to have Jeeves ready one’s horse when you can call one a la The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Read More

Bold as brass: Trombonists take over last-train, earn Twitter fans and critics【Video】

Video of band performing on a train goes viral, prompts debate on public performances.

Read More

Ramen chain gives you the full Ichiran experience at home with a build-it-yourself private booth

Ignore friends and loved ones and concentrate on the important thing in life, ramen, with an Ichiran flavour-savour counter.

Read More

Japanese Twitter manga artist highlights continuing problem of post-Halloween aftermath 【Photos】

Online artist takes a swipe at Halloween party-goers and the sea of trash they leave in their wake.

Read More

Yu-Gi-Oh! collector parts with ultra-rare cards worth more than $5,000 each, for his daughter

What price can you put on your child’s education? One Yu-Gi-Oh! fan finds out.

Read More

Hotel guests get a Halloween fright as their hotels are transformed 【Photos】

Even in Japan, there’s no escape from Halloween – at these Horror Hotels.

Read More

Want to be a pro gamer? There’s a course for that, at Tokyo School of Anime【Video】

First lesson? Gaming. Second lesson? Gaming. Tokyo technical school offers courses to aspiring e-sports athletes.

Read More

Japanese town bids for new residents with hilarious fake zombie game trailer 【Video】

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.

Read More

Woof! Cute cosplaying Shiba Inu show off schoolgirl costumes and other latest looks 【Photos】

Cosplaying pooches get artsy with elaborate costumes, even before Halloween arrives.

Read More

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11