old man
You can rent pretty much anything in Japan. Even people, it would seem.
With so many people working long hours and not having the time to devote to cultivating real relationships, it’s just easier to hand over some cash and pay someone to act as your boyfriend, girlfriend, or just a friend to hang out with for the day.
But what about when you’re looking for something different? What if you’re in need of life advice that only a middle-aged Japanese man can provide? Well that’s where the ossan (middle-aged/old) rental service comes in!
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Weekly
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New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
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New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
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Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train- Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
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New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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You COULD eat a terrifying octopus egg in Japan, but SHOULD you? Let’s find out!【Taste test】
Eight Japanese words we’d love to import into English
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Traditional silverwork pairs with the power of the moon in this stunning Silver Crystal pendant- Nightingale floors: The samurai intruder alarm system Japan’s had for centuries
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Beyond sakura: How to tell a cherry blossom from a plum or peach flower
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What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan has the perfect balance of class and convenience for your Tokyo stay
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
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