Akihabara is considered by many to be a holy land of otaku culture, and with good reason. From anime to electronics to maid cafes, there’s not much you can’t find here. You can even pay someone to clean your ears! Which, to this writer, sounds absolutely horrifying. The idea of a total stranger getting inside my ear canal and scraping out all the gunk is both gross and horrifying, mainly because I can’t stop imagining the ear cleaner slipping and driving the ear-pick deep into my brain.
And that’s probably exactly why the RocketNews24 editors chose me to try it out! If you’ve ever wanted to have a young woman lay your head in her lap and then scrape the wax out of your ears, here’s your chance to see what it’s like.

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
From cameos to creepy-crawlies: 15 little-known facts about Studio Ghibli movies
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Ghibli’s Miyazaki hints at possible Nausicaa sequel
Studio Ghibli retailer now sells Japanese anime curry with all the special utensils
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
The Hayao Miyazaki anime we never got – New art book reveals Ghibli legend’s unrealized concepts
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
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
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
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
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
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
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Ghibli’s Miyazaki hints at possible Nausicaa sequel
Studio Ghibli retailer now sells Japanese anime curry with all the special utensils
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
The Hayao Miyazaki anime we never got – New art book reveals Ghibli legend’s unrealized concepts
Here’s what Studio Ghibli heroine Nausicaa will look like in her live-action kabuki play
A Japanese take on inviting friends over for dinner (and making them pay!)
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Did we strike gold or strike out with this rooftop beer garden on top of a Tokyo parking garage?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
If Fast and Furious was about 1970s Japanese truckers, this dekotora would be the star【Photos】
Final Fantasy’s designer drew a Cinderella picture book, and it’s amazing【Photos】