Saké This S2E11 - Japan Employs 'Crane Game Coaches' so You Can Rule the Arcade – plus Godzilla Is a Feminist

Japan is employing professional Crane Game Coaches to help customers dominate their next trip to the arcade. This leads to the question: what other things could use some expert instruction?

Sing-along: A Sake in Hand? The other a prize grabber. 

Get a coach and train-the-crane …. don’t be a slapper.

Coaching In Japan. 

• Bowing.

• Kaiju.

• Capsule Hotels.

• Seppuku (hara-kiri).

• Kamikaze IBS.

Coaching In General. 

• Car Parks.

• Ambivalence.

• Gluten.

• Metaphysics.

• Podcasting.

Use Promo Code: “Godzilla is a Feminist” in every shopping cart forevermore.

saké this s2e10 - "Polish Your Manners" - Japanese Taxi Drivers Can Now Kick You Out of Their Cabs

Are you ready to "polish your manners" just to keep your seat?

Saucy Source-ish: https://japantoday.com/category/national/taxi-drivers-to-be-granted-right-to-kick-rude-passengers-out-of-their-cabs-before-destination

Quote. “Anyone who’s gotten into the habit of throwing their weight around when they hop in a taxi would be advised to polish their manners sooner rather than later.” End Quote.

(LSK) Quote. “We’re excited to be partnering with the TAXI Industry, improving efficiencies and cutting-the-fats.” End Quote. 

....

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

SAKÉ THIS S2E9 - ""Elite Competitive Sleepers" from all across Japan face off to see who's the best at rest (Matt Race)

According to JapanToday.com, “elite competitive sleepers” are coming together from all across Japan to see who can nap the fastest and sleep the deepest in a new competition called Matt Race.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/ready-set-snooze-sleep-deprived-japanese-compete-for-best-rested

Your host Josh is keen to take part in the comp – mostly because it's the only sport we can think of where the athletes train-to-climax .... before the event.

....

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

Saké This S2E8 - The new Chris Broad audiobook 'Journey Across Japan' is out now, and there's reviews to be roasted

Author and YouTuber Chris Broad has delivered another enjoyable and soon-to-be classic audiobook, 'Journey Across Japan' – it's a shame some of his reviewers aren't anywhere near as interesting.

• MS on Amazon gave J.A.C 5 Stars.

• PB on Goodreads gave J.A.C 2 Stars.

• Josh gave J.A.C 4 Stars on Joshreads

Author's Note: the following review on Goodreads from 'Paul' didn't make the cut (otherwise known as Josh yelled too much, ran out of breath, and ended up making even less sense than the review itself).

Paul said: "Personally I would have preferred a more direct followup to his first book (Abroad in Japan). 

Josh before he started gasping for air: It’s called "Journey Across Japan" Paul, not 'A Journey into the few parts of a country that that one guy on Good Reads wants to know more about on this the second week of October 2026'..

....

Natsuki Audio: https://www.abroadinjapan.com/natsuki

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

Saké This S2E7 - "Beware of Darting Cats" – road signs in Japan warn of flying-felines in the streets

According to Snopes.com, road signs warning drivers in Japan that cats may dive into traffic, are at least in part based on real world signage from around Japan. ('At least in part' is absolutely "in part" enough for us here at Saké This).

Sources: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/japan-cat-road-signs/

Possibly Unfactual Facts: The Chinchilla (cat) is a specific form of the Persian cat, but the Chinchilla (rodentia) may also be dartin' out somewhere in Japan, so keeps your eyes up and ears open.

....

Episode Contributors: John Lacey from JohnLacey.com and Big Russ (Comedy Writer).

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

Saké This S2E6 - Price-gouging alive and well at Osaka’s 'Kansai International Airport' - with a sandwich sells for ¥19,250 (or $175)

According to SoraNews24.com, price-gouging might be alive and well at Osaka’s 'Kansai International Airport' – with a gourmet beef sandwich selling for ¥19,250 (or $175).

Source: https://soranews24.com/2026/09/24/japanese-airport-offering-19250-yen-sandwiches-as-last-japan-meal-for-international-travelers/

....

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

SAKÉ THIS S2E5 - Yokosuka official fired for taking overseas trip while on "sick" leave

According to the Tokyo Reporter, ‘sick’ Yokosuka official was fired after boss spotted her heading overseas.

Source: https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/sick-yokosuka-official-fired-after-boss-spots-her-heading-overseas/

....

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

Saké This S2E4 - Watching Japan’s Kei Nishikori play at the Australian Open in 41ºC Heat

The Chant: Ni-SHI-KORI Kei Kei Kei .... Ni-SHI-KORI Kei Kei Kei. 

It was January 16th 2014 at the Australian Open. It was 41ºC or 106ºF (even hotter at court-level). Myself and brother were watching Japanese tennis legend Kei Nishikori and Serbia's Dušan Lajović slug it out on a side-court, and it was EPIC! And freakin' HOT!

Kei Nishikori defeated Dušan Lajović 6-1, 6-1, 7-6(3) at the Australian Open in 2014.

Sake This S2E3 - "Stop dancing and filming at sacred sites" - a statement from Kyoto's 'Fushimi Inari Taisha'

Intro Sing-Along: Sake in hand, this dance-group is cringey .... I hope you all stub your toes, on the bottom of a torii. 

According to SoraNews24, officials at Kyoto's famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine have condemned foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance and film videos at sacred sites.

Source: https://soranews24.com/2026/09/23/famous-kyoto-shrine-has-a-message-for-foreign-tourists-who-think-its-okay-to-dance-at-sacred-sites/

....

Want to be part of the show? Email sakethispodcast@gmail.com or DM @sakethispodcast on Instagram to send us your very best travel stories and Japanese tidbits.

Saké This S2E2 - A new per-5-minute fee for your Mount Fuji rescue – are you ready to pay $20K?

According to the BBC, Yamanashi prefecture is introducing a fee to deter reckless and poorly prepared climbers during Mount Fuji's off-season. A similar per-5-minute fee is already being issued in nearby Saitama prefecture.

The Math: ¥8,000 per 5 mins = ¥2.3 million per day (or $20,500 AUD per day). 

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8r6mvjdvedo

Follow @joshlistoncomedy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joshlistoncomedy/

Saké This S2E1 - Yasutomo Ihara (aka The Green Ranger from Super Sentai) breaks into 43 homes in Japan

According to the Times of India, Yasutomo Ihara (aka The Green Ranger from Super Sentai) breaks into 43 homes in Japan - making off with ¥8.2 million.

"Ihara used his vast experience as a professional stuntman, acrobat and climber to perform these crimes, and said that after hurting his knee and seeing his stunt career stall, he was desperate for income." 

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/he-worked-as-the-green-ranger-in-power-rangers-then-used-the-experience-to-rob-43-homes-as-the-spider-man-thief/articleshow/133646629.cms

Sake This #20 - Hamster Butt Earbuds spark demand in Japan

See the Hamster Butt Earbuds - https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/hamster-butt-earbuds-they-exist/

Would you wear earbuds fashioned after a rodent's backside? And would you buy a Hamster Butt Headphones loot box?

DM us your Japanese travel stories: @sakethispodcast on Instagram.

Sake This #19 - Ninja Certification Exam | Religion of NO | Japan's Backup Capital City | Tokyo's Michelin Star Restaurants Reviews | Inappropriate Guinea Pig

DM us your Japanese travel stories: @sakethispodcast on Instagram. 

Saké This #19: 

• 01:33 Japanese religion says NO.

• 04:44 Japan's ninja certification exam.

• 07:31 Anime characters come to the eyeball.

• 09:49 Japan plans a backup capital city.

• 14:25 Gaming Disorder on the rise.

• 18:20 Reviewing Tokyo's Michelin star restaurants.

• 21:06 L’Effervescence has a car park.

• 23:20 A fishy review and a guinea pig.

• 25:54 Great Food, but they hung up on me.

• 28:50 Not much fizz.

Michelin star restaurant in Japan review:

"Food was great, service was very thoughtful and quick, the chef even came to say hi. But there were many ugly cars in the parking lot. 1 star.”

"Very disponting !!! I think all the stuffs are actors , even the chef , everythings are simply pretentious. Food taste like cantine's food ,but the waiters are all very snob ,and ignorant. 50 awards is indeed a terrible business, charlatans! 1 Star."

....

Backup Capital in Japan from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/world/asia/japan-capital-osaka.html

Saké This #18 - Portable Fridges for Humans | Invasive Raccoons in Japan | Sketching Faces on Lettuce | A Town Named "Excuse Me?"

Sake This Episode 18:

• Human fridges keep people cool in Japan's scorching summer [01:19]

• Japan grapples with an invasive raccoon population [05:10]

• Japan sketches faces onto plastic lettuce bags [07:59]

Guesstimation Japan: Japanese place names, real or not real? [10:15]

Sources:

• https://japantoday.com/category/features/new-products/japan-now-has-human-refrigerators-inspired-by-vending-machines

• https://nypost.com/2024/05/19/lifestyle/japan-grappling-with-invasive-raccoon-population-nearly-40-years-after-bringing-them-to-the-country/

• https://soranews24.com/2026/07/25/face-lettuce-appears-in-japan-with-the-face-of-death-notes-light-yagami-but-why/

SAKÉ THIS #17 - Deer in a Bank | Fraudulent Frequent Flyer | Bizarre Japanese School Rules | Train vs Anime Names | East Rokko Observatory, Japan

Josh and Justin stopped on the way home to put on some sunscreen, cash in some points, and share some of the wildest Japanese news stories they've had on the podcast so far. Strap in (maybe use a keychain).

• Deer Opens a Bank Account. [01:00]

• A Fraudulent Frequent Flyer. [03:09]

• Bizarre Japanese School Rules. [08:14]

• Guesstimation Japan: Train Station or Anime? [15:15]

• Roasting Reviews: East Rokko Observatory. [21:53]

Sources: 

• https://soranews24.com/2026/05/01/police-in-japan-summoned-to-deal-with-bank-intruder-who-is-also-a-deervideo/

• https://japantoday.com/category/crime/suspected-yakuza-member-arrested-for-having-frequent-flyer-mile-account

Saké This #16 - Lady Breaks Into Home to Slap | Criminals Using Crabs | Wife Burns Collectables | Anime Character Names | Tokyo Disneyland

Grab ya longest selfie-stick folks, and check you're wearing enough skin - Josh and Justin are here to share the coldest Japanese news stories ever told.

• Woman Breaks into Home to Slap Stranger.

• Criminals Using Crabs and Beetles for Find Burglary Victims.

• Man Sues Wife for Burning Hentai Collection.

Guesstimation Japan: Anime Character Names (Real or Not Real?)

— vibe.

@joshlistoncomedy on Instagram.

@justinrlittle on Instagram.

....

Story Links:

• “There is no mistake, I slapped him" - https://soranews24.com/2026/05/08/woman-in-japan-breaks-into-home-of-complete-stranger-just-to-slap-him-in-the-face/

• https://soranews24.com/2026/05/08/japanese-criminals-are-now-using-crabs-to-hunt-for-burglary-targets/

Sake This #15 - Banning Testicle Cups | Man Steals a Toilet | Love Doll Demand Surges | Japanese Customs | Japanese Punk Bands

This week Josh and Justin share the absolute most important Japanese news stories EVER.

• Banning Testicle Cups.

• Man Steals a Toilet.

• Love Doll Demand Surges.

• Japanese Rules & Customs.

• Japanese Punk Bands.

Guesstimation Japan: True or False? (Japanese Customs and Rules Edition).

— vibe.

@joshlistoncomedy on Instagram.

@justinrlittle on Instagram.

....

Story Links:

1. https://soranews24.com/2026/03/07/silicone-testicle-covers-banned-from-japanese-sauna-following-cups-being-left-behind-and-on-shelves/

Sake This #14 - A Fuji Rescue (twice) | No Lunch for Tourists | Tamagotchi Factory | Harry Potter Shop | Harajuku Reviews

This week Josh and Justin share more of the most important Japanese news stories, including a student needing to be rescued from Mount Fuji (twice), a Soba noodle chain asking tourists to avoid the lunch rush, and an official Tamagotchi Shops opening in Harajuku.

Guesstimation Japan: Ryokan or Japanese Drink?

Rating Reviews: Harajuku's Harry Potter Shop, and the One Piece Mugiwara Shop.

— vibe (or perhaps, lame). 

@joshlistoncomedy on Instagram.

@justinrlittle on Instagram.

Saké This #13 - Japanese Woman Marries AI Character | Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” | How to Escape a Fart | KFC Christmas in Japan

This week Josh and Justin share the most important Japanese news stories, including a woman named Kano marrying an AI Character she created, customers buying old train station ticket gates for their own homes, and the mighty Stamina-destroying "Paralysis Noodles."

Guesstimation Japan: Japanese Game Show - Yes or No?

Rating Reviews: (KFC) Kentucky Fried Chicken Shinjuku West Exit.

— vibe.

@joshlistoncomedy on Instagram.

@justinrlittle on Instagram.

....

Story Links:

1. https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/japanese-woman-marries-ai-character-she-generated-on-chatgpt/

2. https://soranews24.com/2025/11/26/japanese-train-company-is-letting-fans-buy-its-actual-ticket-gates-for-their-homes/

3. https://soranews24.com/2025/12/08/stamina-destroying-paralysis-noodles-are-tokyos-newest-over-the-top-ramen-innovation/

4. Brain Wall (Human Tetris): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYJXSSgW08

Sake This #12 - Overtourism | Tokyo Coffin Meditation | Funerals for Toys | Sumo Crying Baby Festival | Shohei Ohtani & Es Con Field Hokkaido

This week Josh and Justin share the most important Japanese news stories, including the possibility of Japan raising their departure taxes to combat overtourism, Tokyo's coffin meditation sessions, and burial ceremonies for toys and dolls.

Guesstimation Japan: Japanese Cultural Festivals - Real or Not Real?

Rating Reviews: Es Con Field Hokkaido.

— vibe.

....

@joshlistoncomedy on Instagram.

@justinrlittle on Instagram.