Foreigners living in Japan, our own editor included, often give Japanese TV a hard time. For many, it’s either too weird, too predictable or too obnoxious. If it really is so bad though, surely shows like Iron Chef and Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) would never have been introduced in the US? Nor would America have created the show I Survived a Japanese Game Show. So if foreign stations are taking cues from the Japanese TV shows, the originals must have some merit, right?
One Reddit user finally asked the big question, “Japanese television. Is it really so terrible?” As you’d expect, the responses poured in, both in favor of and adamantly against it. One user proclaimed that Japan only has three kinds of programs, “Shows about celebrities. Shows about food. Shows about celebrities eating food.” But like TV in any country, there are actually a lot of different kinds of shows, so it’s probably worth a moment to take a walk through some of the programming options.
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
Pocky recall issued in Japan after customers notice off-the-mark taste caused by unintended smells
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
The must-have item to avoid being a jerk at Tokyo’s biggest Halloween street party
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
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
Pocky recall issued in Japan after customers notice off-the-mark taste caused by unintended smells
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
The must-have item to avoid being a jerk at Tokyo’s biggest Halloween street party
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
We visited Egawa Beach, the closest you can get to walking in the world of Spirited Away【Pics】
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Ukiyo-e Heroes: Amazing Nintendo woodblock prints created via traditional, handmade methods【Pics】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japan’s official Hello Kitty Airport holds ribbon-cutting ceremony, now welcoming travelers【Pics】