You, Me, And a Tanuki is a weekly featured blog run by Michelle, a Californian who is currently one of only two foreigners living in Chibu, a tiny fishing village on one of the Oki islands in Japan. Check back every Saturday for a new post or read more on her website here!
If I ever have a craving for fish, I just have to stand out in front of my house and wait for a fisherman to drive by (which won’t take too long since I live on an island). Last Monday I was waiting outside with my husband to be picked up for a work party when the taxi driver (who is also a fisherman) drove by. He stopped his little K-truck and asked if we wanted some fish. I said yes and he proceeded to fill a plastic grocery bag with around 20 flying fish, 4 long scary looking fish, 3 or so pokey fish, and a weird purple/blue crab (sorry, he said the names in Japanese so quickly that I didn’t manage to remember them all. Any fish experts, please tell me what they are in the comments section below).

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Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
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Japan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper
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Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Japanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
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Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
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Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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 releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Japanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
How many doughnuts can you pack in a Mister Donut all-you-can-pack deal?
How to order snacks on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
Starbucks Japan’s new sakura collection arrives in stores for hanami season 2023
Japan’s Kirby Choco Eggs hide figures that are too cute to resist
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
New Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon collaboration brings anime magic to bags, shoes and accessories
20 things to buy at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese