On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Chris McMorran talks about what it’s like working at a rural ryokan (Japanese inn). About Dr. Chris McMorran Chris McMorran is Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the National University of Singapore. He is a cultural geographer of contemporary Japan focusing on the geographies of home across scale, from the body …

This music video is located at the intersection of “absurdly silly” and “NSFW.” On Friday (7/26) the gravure idol (swimsuit/lingerie model) and entertainer Yuu Tejima released the full-version of the music video for her hit song “Hamichichi Paparacchi” (literally “Exposed Breast Paparazzi”). Check out the video below. Keep scrolling for more information on the song and Yu Tejima. Tejima’s new …

Move over AKB48, here comes the next “big” thing. In Japan, there’s an idol group for every taste. Whether you’re into drones or heavy metal and head banging, Japan has got you covered. And now, there’s a new group tailor-made for those who have a thing for “obese angels.” Coming in at a combined weight of 418 kg (922 lbs) …

Erina Kamiya sure loves pleasing her fans. Last October, the gravure idol and member of the pop idol group Kamen Joshi, Erina Kamiya started a YouTube channel and almost immediately she was met with the kind of success most YouTubers dream of. Her success wasn’t simply due to her status as a public figure either. Although yes, that certainly helped, …

Absolutely pointless and totally sexy. From tiny underpants for your water bottle, to figures of gorilla-faced dogs, Japankyo has covered many examples of totally ridiculous Japanese capsule toys. However, today we’ll be taking a look at what may just be the most absurd one yet: swimsuits for smartphones. Sold via capsule toy vending machines (a.k.a. gacha gacha/gachapon) and online retailers …

Erina Kamiya sure knows what her fans want to see. On October 27, Erina Kamiya, a gravure idol and member of the pop idol group Kamen Joshi (Masked Girls) started her own YouTube channel. Being no stranger to internet fame thanks in part to video like this one from this pas February where she teaches viewers how to take their …