This is why you should never use automated translation software in a professional setting.
Google Translate
Always be mindful of what you write or let others write for you. You never know when it will be scrutinized by thousands upon thousands of Japanese people.
Media in Japan, us included, have been all over Taco Bell’s return to the country this week, but talk hasn’t been entirely of tacos. The Taco Bell Japan website was also making news when Japanese speakers noticed it had some pretty terrible and funny English-to-Japanese translations.
Google Translate, the tech giant’s online language translation service, is not always perfect (for example, translating “twenty” from English to Japanese gives us “20”), but it’s a nice, not to mention free, tool that’s available to anyone with an internet connection. Aside from being very useful, the site is also entertaining with plenty of funny tricks to be found, like how to make Google Translate beatbox.
Here’s another trick to add to the list! Just translate a bunch of dots into Japanese and you’ll be treated to a hilarious, and somewhat melodic, interpretation of those little round symbols that perch at the end of our sentences.




Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Immersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Japanese publishers team up for a “Stop! Pirated manga” online campaign
No talking allowed, at all, at new Tokyo cafe, even when you’re ordering【Videos】
What do you eat when you catch a cold? We asked 11 of our Japanese reporters
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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 foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Japanese publishers team up for a “Stop! Pirated manga” online campaign
No talking allowed, at all, at new Tokyo cafe, even when you’re ordering【Videos】
What do you eat when you catch a cold? We asked 11 of our Japanese reporters
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Daiso to change Japanese closing-time music because foreign tourists aren’t taking the hint
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only