Engrish
This isn’t the type of self-service they were meaning.
According to his shirt, this guy isn’t just “huge in Japan”, he’s huge somewhere else too.
Department store chain wants to show concern for shoppers’ mental wellbeing, but some see a message of doom for their physical health.
Look out — Japan’s old capital appears to be rising again, with an army of koi fish behind it.
A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they’ll be stepping in to help PM Suga in future.
This is why you should never use automated translation software in a professional setting.
Eat up, kids! Also, be aware that sometimes mommies and daddies sleep around.
Why Does Engrish Happen? is back with a look at what seems to be where Sailor Moon would park her car.
The popular characters from the iconic TV series dress up in leopard print and sing in Engrish for Japan’s younger generation.
It’s often said that freedom isn’t free. In Japan, Free Tea isn’t either.
Is there a better way to start your day than with a nice plate of Italian wind saladt and “near the broil with salt?”
Sure, Pizza Hut, but do you English?
Here are five awkward, bittersweet moments that’ll make you realise you’ve finally become a seasoned expat…
Nationwide, Japan Starbucks locations appear to be telling foreign customers to learn Japanese or risk anaphylactic shock.
If you live in Asia, you’re probably used to seeing Engrish phrases everywhere. When you’ve grown up reading and writing in kanji, hiragana, etc., the “foreign-ness” of English writing and phrases adds an air of mystery and style. But it’s exactly the same in the west too—people will buy all kinds of products with kanji characters written on them whether or not they know what they mean.
Here are some examples of decked-out cars with random, nonsensical Japanese phrases on them that have Japanese netizens laughing their socks off over.
While Japan’s highest mountain itself is the primary attraction, it’s not the only thing to see in the Mt. Fuji area. There’s also the Fuji Five Lakes, which would be beautiful enough to warrant a visit even if they didn’t have the famed peak serving as a dramatic backdrop.
But while travelers are happy to see the mountain and lakes alike, one thing none of them look forward to is a puddle of piss on the men’s room floor of a local visitor’s center. That’s why one facility has signs asking visitors to mind their aim when using the urinals, but while the Japanese text is a politely worded reminder, the English version seems to be implying that the reader’s penis really isn’t so impressive.
Traveling in a country where you aren’t super confident with the lingo can be extremely daunting, and simple acts like ordering food become a bit of a nightmare. If you don’t speak the language, you won’t know what foods are on the menu or how they are prepared. Dictionaries, both paper and electronic, are definitely helpful tools when deciphering a menu and many restaurants also try to provide at least some English—one of the most used languages in the world—on their menus.
But sometimes, for all their good intentions, restaurants fail. While this may make ordering lunch a little bit trickier, it is at times like these that we are blessed with some wonderfully bad translated food names.
Today’s special dishes come compliments of restaurants in Taiwan and China that just couldn’t quite find the right words to describe their respective delicacies. Look forward to dishes including mermaids, fried Wikipedia and confused pizzas after the jump.
MOST POPULAR
Now
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
How to order snacks on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Animate Akihabara releases a lucky bag for the first time in years, and it’s amazing
Same character, different animator – Fans compile comparison charts for anime’s biggest stars
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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- 7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
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
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Monthly
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- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Animate Akihabara releases a lucky bag for the first time in years, and it’s amazing
Same character, different animator – Fans compile comparison charts for anime’s biggest stars
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
Size, shape, or suppleness – What does Japan want in a pair of breasts?【Survey】
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
The New Kirby takeout dessert shop chain gives you the chance to eat Kirby’s butt【Photos】
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
-
