Not too long ago, Mr. Sato was thumbing through a magazine when he came across an ad for something. On the page he could see a man sitting in a bath tub filled with cash. “Boy, he sure looks happy” Mr. Sato thought as he put down the magazine.
That image lingered in the back of his mind until the announcement of Loto 7’s biggest jackpot ever, 800 million yen (US$8.5M). Then it dawned on him. He could win the grand prize and realize his new dream of bathing in money.
“Winning the jackpot once should be no problem,” he thought to himself “but it’d be a little harder to win twice if I need that much to fill a tub.”
He had to be sure that 800 million yen was enough before he’d be foolish enough to play the lottery.

7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Salmon sashimi noodles: Terrifying, mouthwatering, or both?【Photos】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
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 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 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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Salmon sashimi noodles: Terrifying, mouthwatering, or both?【Photos】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Hayao Miyazaki eulogizes Isao Takahata, remembers purposely subjecting him to second-hand smoke
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Japanese plastic food samples abound at this impressive exhibition in Tokyo
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
We get our hands on some “Booby Ice Cream” from Kochi Prefecture