In Japan, the customer is always king, even if he’s a horny one.
packaging (Page 2)
You may have noticed that Japanese product packaging tends to be completely covered with text in a variety of fonts and styles. If you’ve ever taken the time to read any of it, you’ve probably realised that quite a bit of it seems to be particularly chatty, going beyond the usual product description in order to occasionally impart some philosophical wisdom or advice.
Some companies even go as far as to include hidden messages to communicate directly with the consumer. Check out this gallery of some of the best.
Don’t you just hate it when you open up a bag of chips only to find that one third of the air-filled bag actually contains greasy goodness. Or how about when you crack open a box of cookies and are greeted with cardboard on both ends, squishing the available cookie space in half. Oh, the disappointment! Well get ready for a similar tale of a girl who thought she was buying a long lightning cable, but found that the product fell short of her expectations after opening it.
We’ve all been there. You excitedly tear off the wrapper on the new snack you’ve been waiting to try, only to find that it’s half the size of the picture on the box, or doesn’t contain the mint leaf daintily arranged on the image on the packaging. That’s why packaging runs the line “serving suggestion”, anyway – to let the manufacturer show the food at its best without being accused of, erm, lying.
A project from the delightfully named German website PUNDO3000, werbung gegen realität (“Adverts versus reality”) attempts to stab back at food manufacturers with painfully real photos of food items. We’re always on the look out for the gap between jazzed-up photos and the real deal, so join us after the jump for 31 of the best!
MOST POPULAR
Now
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese film studio Toei announces first three video games from newly created Toei Games
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
These are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Weekly
- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo- Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan- New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Yearly
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
These are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Mr. Sato experiences the all-you-can-eat bread heaven…at Kamakura Pasta
60-year-old Buddhist priest arrested for panty theft, would’ve got away if not for his high heels
Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
This secret spring flower-viewing spot in Japan is yet to be discovered by international tourists
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
-
