We learn what to do when a shark attacks, and that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces enjoy giving each other piggy-backs. Read More
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
Make delicious yakisoba rolls you can stuff into your maw, without the use of chopsticks or cutlery!
These plastic warriors are trawling for a brawling, cruising for a bruising, and sampling for a trampling.
At half the price and with much more functionality than before, is it finally time to tie the virtual knot?
The convenience of Japanese technology: making your life a little easier, and lazier, with every passing day.
There’s more to theme parks in Japan than just Disney Resort and Universal Studios; there’s also ninjas, go-karts and looking through your legs.
Ken Sugimori, art director and character designer for the Pokémon franchise, reveals the link between pocket monsters and wabi-sabi.
What should you do when your customers take your extra large fried food portions for granted? Wear a poster pointing it out is one chef’s answer.
If your body is a temple, your head is a shrine? Provide easy access to your bonce for roaming Shinto gods with a torii gate hair accessory.
Going slightly loco-motive in the stunning scenery of Japan’s southern Kyushu island, with bubbles!
Stay dry if not necessarily stylish, even as rainy season does its worst with a giant umbrella hat.
Japanese Twitter user utilises photos to explain their love of girls with a little junk in the trunk, or loot in the boot.
Meringue meets ice cream in convenience store chain’s latest summer-themed dessert offering.
It might have been made into a board game, but here are 10 reasons why the game of life shouldn’t get a PC or console port.
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Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
We try out the “head in a jar” prank, seen in a viral video, at the office
Top 27 ugliest album covers from Yugoslavia 【Photos】
Japanese jam jar lids close on their own, as if by magic
Japan’s Top 10 Scenic Train Trips–according to two “densha otaku” train guides
Elementary school student’s “wish to become a smartphone” breaks Japanese internet’s heart
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Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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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
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
- 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
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
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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
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We try out the “head in a jar” prank, seen in a viral video, at the office
Top 27 ugliest album covers from Yugoslavia 【Photos】
Japanese jam jar lids close on their own, as if by magic
Japan’s Top 10 Scenic Train Trips–according to two “densha otaku” train guides
Elementary school student’s “wish to become a smartphone” breaks Japanese internet’s heart
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Five Japanese sign language phrases with interesting reasoning behind them
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japanese idol group bans all gifts from fans to teen singers to help protect their values
Is Tokyo’s obviously for-foreign-tourists wagyu sukiyaki crepe delicious enough for a local?
Classic shojo manga magazine Ribon partners with 3 Coins for nostalgic lifestyle goods series
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