Here is a video demonstrating an easy way to peel the skin off of a potato. (Warning: the video is all in loud, exuberant Japanese.) A few nights ago, I gave this a try.
First, you make a thin cut around the center of your potato. Then, you put it in boiling water:
I left it in there for about 10 minutes. Next, you pull the potato out and stick it in ice cold water:
Wait about 10 seconds, then pick up the potato and squeeze the skin off. Well, that’s the idea, at least. Apparently, the Japanese are more skilled at this step than I am — for me, the skin came off easily, but in about 20 little pieces. Also, I sloshed water all over the counter and floor. But it did work, sort of:
It was fun to try!