Today, we present five phases Western expats go through, from arriving fresh off the boat to thinking about retirement, when living in Japan.
Japan (Page 6)
Time may have changed him, but we still have these nostalgic photos of how music legend David Bowie used to be.
Japan may be an awesome country, but for some Japanese people who’ve experienced life abroad, it’s just not for them anymore. Here are five reasons why.
New business model aims for US$855 million in profits in several years.
Built with wooden frames and light materials, the majority of Japanese homes are torn down and rebuilt from scratch once they begin to age. But one architect in Chiba had a slightly different idea…
Even if you haven’t caught Star Wars: The Force Awakens yet, you’ve probably heard about Commander of the First Order Kylo Ren. And his temper…
And just like that, 2015 was no more! It’s now January 1 all the way across Asia, which means it’s officially the Year of Monkey! Happy New Year, everyone!
We’ll be putting our feet up for the rest of today, but we promise we’ll be back tomorrow with more of the news, cuteness, cats, food, fukubukuro, Mr Sato and all the weird and wonderful stuff from Japan and Asia that you know—and hopefully love—us for.
Thank you for continuing to visit our site, share our stories and follow us on Twitter and Facebook (281K and counting!!), and for helping us to grow and grow. 2015 was very good to us, but here’s hoping that 2016 will fill us all with the sprightly energy of a whole mess of merry monkeys and that we can continue to make our little site even better—although hopefully without any poo-slinging.
Stay tuned, Rocketeers, and have yourselves a great New Year’s Day!
Ice cream taster; sleep research participant; full-time sperm donor. There are few jobs that could ever be described as truly enjoyable, but playing with an adorable panda cub is probably one of them.
When a reporter for popular social news site BuzzFeed ate at Ramen Jiro recently, Japan’s netizens had plenty to say about it!
We asked Japanese people to tell us the things foreigners say or think about Japan that really gets their goat—and they were happy to oblige! How many of these faux pas are you guilty of?
Amerika. Itaria. Kanada. The majority of countries are known in Japan by names that sound vaguely similar to their native monikers. So why on earth do the Japanese call the UK ‘Igirisu‘?
On November 28, the results of Japan’s first national survey about attitudes toward gay marriage were revealed. What kind of image did they paint of the people of Japan?
We all love candy, don’t we? But how would you feel about candy that, rather than tasting like peaches and cream, tastes like pork stock ramen soup?
While there is nothing “American diner” about Denny’s in Japan, the well-known family restaurant chain is going all-out Japanese with its new location in Tochigi Prefecture.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
Weekly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan- Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October- Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Monthly
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards- 12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
“New York-style” tsukimi mochi burgers to appear at Wendy’s Japan this fall
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
Kyoto shop turns traditional Japanese kimono into teddy bears, with special meaning hidden in their patterns
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
-
