funny stories
They say that one of the main reasons so few Japanese people master the English language is because they’re worried about making mistakes or embarrassing themselves. While we do wish more Japanese would break out their English a little more often (get a couple of drinks into your coworkers and you’ll be amazed at how much English they actually know), at the same time we can’t really blame them for being reluctant to speak, because learning a second language as an adult can be tough.
After all, when our words fail us, it can not only result in confusion, but very often shock, laughter, and even anger. Just ask the kind folks who were good enough to share with us their most awkward and memorable mistakes made when speaking – or rather trying to speak – Japanese.
Join us after the jump for 22 tales of language mishaps. Oh, and maybe make some notes while you do so that none of these ever happen to you!
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Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
This lucky bag of anime models is also a decades-long history lesson for our mecha newbie
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa- Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
- Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain- Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list- Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
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Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
This lucky bag of anime models is also a decades-long history lesson for our mecha newbie
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Tokyo DisneySea’s new Fantasy Springs area reveals the beauty of Rapunzel’s Forest
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Yo-Kai Watch debuts abroad: characters get name changes but songs retain their epic nature【Video】
New Japanese bowl-shaped donburi rice cooker cooks rice and toppings at the same time
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