Saké This

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/

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

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.

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
• Ninja Certification Exam from SoraNews24: https://soranews24.com/2026/06/20/japanese-ninja-certification-exam-attracts-131-candidates-from-japan-and-abroad/

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/

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

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 Collectables.

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/

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/

This week Josh and Justin share more fun news stories all the way from Japan, 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 Factory 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.

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