personal hygiene
In Japan, the majority of people bathe at night before going to bed. Even if they don’t stick to the traditional routine of rinsing off before soaking in a hot bath, most Japanese find the idea of climbing into bed without having at least hopped in the shower first supremely icky – almost as icky as walking around your home while wearing your outdoor shoes.
In the west, however, many of us prefer to shower before leaving the house in the morning. No matter how well you slept the night before, the thought of not washing prior to putting on work clothes and heading out for the day seems pretty gross to most of us.
So for this week’s Super Mega Important Debate, we’re asking you to answer this one simple question: Do you bathe before bed or before work each morning?
Some of our US-based readers may not be especially familiar with German shaving brand Schick, but here in Japan the company is top dog when it comes to safety razors, and its products can be found in just about any supermarket or pharmacy. Recently, in order to promote its relaxing “dream shave” experience and newest model of disposable razor, the Quattro 5 Titanium, Schick Japan has released the following promotional video, which sees one lucky young man take a zero-gravity flight with two bikini-clad models in order to try the razor out.
Hmmm… Pretty girls tumbling about in slow motion while squirting foam. You think anyone would watch that?



Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Hang in there, Baby!: Cat clinging to wall in Tokyo caught on Google Maps
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Hang in there, Baby!: Cat clinging to wall in Tokyo caught on Google Maps
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Finally! Icees are coming to Japan!
This hotel has one of the coolest katana collections in Japan, and admission is totally free【Pics】
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Big Hero 6 ads in Japan leave out the action, moviegoers surprised to find awesome robot flick
Japanese fishermen start morning wake-up call service to help you get your lazy butt out of bed
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
This popular limited-time mango yogurt shaved ice in Taiwan is everything you need this summer