dentist
And just like that, we’re scared of the dentist again.
After having lived in Japan for a number of years, you get used to the certain ways in which it smells kinda different to your home country. For example, people here tend to wear less cologne and perfume so you’re not as likely to have your nostril hairs singed by someone who has doused themselves with eau de celeb as you share a train carriage on your morning commute. On the other hand, smoking is absolutely everywhere in Japan and you can expect to come home with your hair and clothes stinking of smoke after barely an hour at your local izakaya, even if you never touch the cancer sticks yourself.
But a new survey conducted by an oral care company has found evidence that suggests one of the things foreign visitors to Japan notice is the huge number of people with bad breath! Apparently, this halitosis has left many a foreigner visitor “disappointed” with the country, whatever that means…
Sanrio and its vast array of cute characters such as Hello Kitty and My Melody have been seen on nearly every product imaginable – from contact lenses to passenger aircraft, they have made things just that much cuter. Hello Kitty was even able to explain forms of South African torture in her adorable dictionary.
But Sanrio may have bitten off more than they can chew with the Hearts Dental Clinic in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture. Is the sweetly disarming image of the hooded bunny My Melody enough to calm the considerable fears of children visiting the dentist?
It’s an excuse so implausible that it sounds like something straight out of the plot of an adult video, but a dentist in Japan’s Mie Prefecture was arrested earlier this week after fondling a young woman’s chest in the back room of his surgery while claiming that doing so would help fix her misaligned teeth.







Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
Tokyo’s first gourmet choco banana specialty shop is worth stopping in Harajuku for
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
New Studio Ghibli No Face piggy bank brings us even more magic from Spirited Away
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
Eating Japan’s highest-priced Cup Noodle at Japan’s highest place【Photos】
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
New Studio Ghibli No Face piggy bank brings us even more magic from Spirited Away
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
Eating Japan’s highest-priced Cup Noodle at Japan’s highest place【Photos】
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
We were blown away by Funabashi Sauce Ramen, just a short ride from central Tokyo【Taste test】
Dumb criminal in Japan tries to sell stolen goods back to shop he just robbed seven minutes ago
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty