Fasting for 20 Hours in Japan: A McDonald’s Disaster

Imagine this: you’ve just stumbled out of a medical clinic in Japan after nearly 20 hours of fasting for a health checkup. Your stomach is screaming, your head feels like it’s floating, and all you can think about is food—something rich, indulgent, and utterly satisfying. That’s exactly the situation one Japanese writer found themselves in, and their decision to break their fast with a McDonald’s burger led to an experience so bizarre, it’ll make you rethink your next fast-food run. Let’s dive into this wild story and uncover some authentic Japanese language and culture along the way.

The Afternoon Health Checkup Nightmare

In Japan, a 健康診断 (kenkou shindan - health checkup) is a regular part of life, often scheduled first thing in the morning to get it over with quickly. But for this writer, a scheduling hiccup meant their 予約 (yoyaku - appointment) was pushed to 1:30 PM. No big deal, you’d think—except the rules for 絶食 (zesshoku - fasting) before tests like stomach X-rays are strict. For afternoon slots, you can’t eat for six hours prior, and with a missed chance for a late dinner the night before, this writer ended up not eating for a staggering 20 hours by the time their tests finished just before 3 PM.

Picture the 空腹 (kuufuku - hunger) after not touching food since 7 PM the previous day. They endured the spinning table of a barium X-ray—a common test in Japan for stomach issues—feeling oddly tempted by the chalky drink itself. When it was finally over, food was the only thing on their mind, and not just any food, but something gloriously over-the-top to reward themselves after such an ordeal.

A McDonald’s ‘Gurakoro’ Gone Wrong

Driven by a craving for something unapologetically ジャンク (janku - junk food), the writer headed straight to McDonald’s for a seasonal favorite: the グラコロ (Gurakoro), short for “Gratin Croquette Burger.” This monster of a burger, packed with 炭水化物 (tansuikabutsu - carbohydrates), features a deep-fried croquette of macaroni and creamy white sauce, all nestled in a soft bun. It’s basically a love letter to wheat. After 20 hours of nothing, they took a huge bite… and within seconds, their world turned upside down.

Their vision warped like a dramatic manga panel, dizziness struck, and they felt on the verge of passing out. What was going on? The likely culprit was a spike in 血糖値 (kettouchi - blood sugar level) or just the shock of such a heavy meal hitting an empty system. And it didn’t stop there. Even the classic McDonald’s fries—something they’d eaten for decades—tasted bizarrely sweet, as if their senses had been rewired by hunger. It was a fast-food experience like no other, and not in a good way.

Cultural Context: Health and Indulgence in Japan

If you’re new to Japanese culture, fasting for a routine 健康診断 (kenkou shindan) might seem intense, but it’s a serious matter here. Annual checkups are often mandatory for employees, pushed by companies and the government as part of a national focus on preventative healthcare. Tests like barium X-rays are more common than in some Western countries, reflecting Japan’s heightened awareness of stomach issues tied to diet and historical health trends.

Then there’s the グラコロ (Gurakoro), a perfect example of Japan’s knack for blending Western fast food with local flavors. “Gratin” dishes—creamy and comforting—are a beloved Western-inspired staple in Japan, while croquettes are a nostalgic Japanese classic. This seasonal burger taps into a cultural obsession with limited-time offers, creating a “now or never” urgency that the writer felt compelled to act on. It’s also a small glimpse into the Japanese balance of discipline and indulgence: enduring a grueling fast for health, only to pivot straight to fast food as a personal reward. It’s a relatable mix of duty and joy that shapes daily life here.

Learn Japanese from This Article

Let’s turn this wild story into a chance to learn some authentic Japanese, just as it’s taught in Japan. Below, you’ll find key vocabulary to expand your word bank, plus a couple of grammar patterns that capture the surprises and outcomes of this tale.

Key Vocabulary

Grammar Spotlight

1. 〜ことになる: “End up (doing), result in (doing)”

This pattern is used to describe an outcome or result, often something decided or happening beyond one’s control. It’s perfect for situations like the writer’s unexpected fasting duration.

• Structure: Verb (dictionary form) + ことになる

• Examples:

  • 予約が遅れて、20時間絶食することになった。 (Yoyaku ga okurete, nijuu jikan zesshoku suru koto ni natta.) “The appointment was delayed, so I ended up fasting for 20 hours.”
  • グラコロを食べて、気分が悪くなることになった。 (Gurakoro o tabete, kibun ga waruku naru koto ni natta.) “I ate the Gurakoro and ended up feeling sick.”
  • 明日早く起きることになった。 (Ashita hayaku okiru koto ni natta.) “I ended up having to wake up early tomorrow.”

• When to Use: Use this when describing results or situations that “turned out” a certain way, often with a sense of inevitability.

2. 〜と思いきや: “Thought (something would happen), but surprisingly”

This expression captures a twist or unexpected turn of events, much like the writer’s shocking reaction to the burger. It’s a bit literary but often used in storytelling.

• Structure: Verb (past tense) / Adjective + と思いきや

• Examples:

  • グラコロを食べて満足したと思いきや、めまいがした。 (Gurakoro o tabete manzoku shita to omoikiya, memai ga shita.) “I thought I’d be satisfied after eating the Gurakoro, but surprisingly, I felt dizzy.”
  • 健康診断がすぐ終わると思いきや、3時までかかった。 (Kenkou shindan ga sugu owaru to omoikiya, san-ji made kakatta.) “I thought the health checkup would end quickly, but surprisingly, it took until 3 PM.”
  • 安いと思ったと思いきや、高かった。 (Yasui to omotta to omoikiya, takakatta.) “I thought it was cheap, but surprisingly, it was expensive.”

• When to Use: Use this to highlight a surprising contrast between expectation and reality, often in casual or dramatic storytelling.

Useful Expression

• お腹が空いた (onaka ga suita) - “I’m hungry.” A must-know phrase for anyone who’s ever felt the pangs of 空腹 (kuufuku) like our writer. You’ll hear this everywhere in Japan, from kids to adults, when hunger strikes.

Closing Thoughts

This story of fasting, health checkups, and a McDonald’s mishap is more than just a funny anecdote—it’s a window into the quirks of life in Japan and the language that shapes it. Whether it’s learning to talk about 空腹 (kuufuku) or mastering a grammar twist like と思いきや (to omoikiya), you’re one step closer to speaking Japanese the way it’s really used here. Keep exploring these real-life moments with us, and you’ll find that language and culture go hand in hand.

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.