Mr. Sato forces his fellow ossan to step up to the plate in the name of baseball and school spirit.
ossan
The service’s founder shares reasons for its decade of success and typical examples of why people, mainly women, might rent an ossan.
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!



Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Unique Starbucks in historic building is one of the most beautiful in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Why reading their own language gives Mongolians a headache
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Japan’s first-ever wanko soba conveyor belt restaurant opens in Tokyo
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
New book reworks classic paintings in modern Japanese popular styles
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan’s first-ever wanko soba conveyor belt restaurant opens in Tokyo
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
New book reworks classic paintings in modern Japanese popular styles
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Store where you pay to shoplift returns to Tokyo
We try 7-Eleven’s newly recreated Pork Ramen and are blown away by its level of perfection
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Giant-sized Dragon Ball sculpture created for Sapporo Snow Festival 【Photos】
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji twice in five days for very dumb reason
These kids’ driving simulator toys still work decades later! …kind of
How to make Kyoto’s most famous dessert, nama yatsuhashi, with your microwave