life
You, too, can have an all-you-can-eat experience with a timer and the determination to enjoy yourself.
These short, sweet videos have Japan’s recently retired baseball star play the (board) game of life while musing on his real lived experiences.
Japanese people dish on things foreigners told them that they’d never realized before about their home country.
Episode 1 of our brand new series, Ask Mr. Sato, is here! Join us at the link below to listen to the great man’s sagely advice!
Takahashi Toshiyuki, better known as Takahashi Meijin, is a renowned gaming personality in Japan. One of his famous quotes, however, says, “Don’t play more than an hour of games each day.” This sounds like a mother nagging her game-addicted child and perhaps not too convincing coming from someone who plays games for a living. You might wonder, “Why is this guy telling me that I should only play for an hour each day when he probably plays all day long? How am I going to be a world Pokémon champion if I don’t play enough?” However, it appears that there is more to Takahashi’s quote.
Electronics giant LG has announced that its line of “HomeChat”-enabled appliances — a refrigerator, washing machine, and Lightwave oven that can be communicated with and operated via messaging service Line — is now available to buy in its native South Korea.
By using the popular smartphone app, users can chat with their various gizmos as if they were ordinary human contacts, asking them questions as well as providing additional information to alter their functions. Thanks to the technology built into the appliances with which the app communicates, it’s possible not just to remotely check the temperature inside the fridge or put on a load of laundry, but to find out how many beers you have or delay your usual wash cycle by 30 minutes simply by telling the machine you’ll be home late.
As we’ve talked about before, overtime is pretty common in Japan. At a startling number of companies, it is not considered in the least bit unusual to find staff, who are contracted and only being paid to be there between 8:30 am and 6 pm, still at their desks until 9, 10, or 11 at night. Others may leave the office a little earlier, but are often wrangled into drinking with the boss or entertaining clients until all hours. Others still even work on weekends and, returning home late at night, only see their family while they’re sleeping.
Dutiful partners may grin and bear it when their husband or wife is absent from home for such enormous stretches of time, but kids only speak the truth. Like this little one who, on her father returning home seemingly for the first time in a long time, greeted him like you might a guest or customer to a restaurant…












Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Blue Bottle Coffee now offering traditional sweet bean gelatin cake at stores across Japan
71-year-old Japanese man who “wanted to look cool” robbed 63 houses, treated strangers to sushi
Bob’s Big Boy is alive and well, and also a cute robot, in Japan【Photos】
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Beautiful Totoro bento box mixes classic and modern symbols of Japan
Kagawa’s Udon Gummies are so hard to chew they come with warning labels
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Blue Bottle Coffee now offering traditional sweet bean gelatin cake at stores across Japan
71-year-old Japanese man who “wanted to look cool” robbed 63 houses, treated strangers to sushi
Bob’s Big Boy is alive and well, and also a cute robot, in Japan【Photos】
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
Domino’s Japan’s New Cheese Volcano Pizza is a game-changer that’s about to go global
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever spicy Frappuccino for a limited time
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
We take a ride on Seibu Railway’s futuristic luxury liner: the Limited Express Laview
Japanese cafe Pronto opens limited-time Stranger Things themed cafe