peel
Back where I come from, it wasn’t uncommon to pick a grape off its stem and pop it right into your mouth without a second’s thought. The very idea of peeling a grape was something along the lines of a diva demanding a bottled-milk bath while dining on a bowl of only red-colored Skittles.
However, in Japan, where many varieties of grape have thick or rubbery skins, peeling them is pretty much standard. In fact, whenever I eat a grape with its skin intact, I’m stared at as if I had just plucked a live spider off the wall and ate it.
That’s probably why 7-Eleven can get away with marketing their frozen bags of grapes as having “edible skins” here.
We never would have thought that people would pay real money for toys based on food refuse, but we guess that’s why we’ll never be rich. Someone in Japan obviously thought that a figure based on a banana peel was a good idea, because they designed it, sourced a manufacturer and put those slippery little guys on the market for everyone to buy.
And, wouldn’t you know it? They’re stupidly cute. Yeah, we just called banana peels cute. What’cha gonna do about it?!



Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Don’t call them fat, call them Marshmallow Girls!
15 famous hotels in Tokyo investigated by Fair Trade Commission over possible price fixing
How many do you know? 12 delicious foods in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
We went to Shibuya’s swanky Saunas to sweat away all of our troubles
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
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
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
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
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
Don’t call them fat, call them Marshmallow Girls!
15 famous hotels in Tokyo investigated by Fair Trade Commission over possible price fixing
How many do you know? 12 delicious foods in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
We went to Shibuya’s swanky Saunas to sweat away all of our troubles
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】