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.













Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
A robot joins the team at a fast-food restaurant, but in an unlikely city in northern Japan
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Man’s rejected proposal goes viral as he tries to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’【Photos】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Government bear attack warning poster in Japan may be too cute for its own good
“Totoro” restaurant in non-touristy Tokyo serves up very green matcha ramen【Taste test】
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
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Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
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
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
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Government bear attack warning poster in Japan may be too cute for its own good
“Totoro” restaurant in non-touristy Tokyo serves up very green matcha ramen【Taste test】
Ramen shop manager arrested for punching self in the face and pretending he was robbed
7-Eleven Japan now has two tiers of salmon rice balls, but is the new, cheaper one any good?【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
Japanese city to deploy anti-bear drones against ursine adversaries, stages adorable demo【Vid】
Over half of Japanese students in nationwide test score zero percent in English speaking section
Sailor Moon’s Senshi team up with Hello Kitty and Sanrio for pajama party crossover merch line