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Eating On People’s Porches: Overtourism Overwhelms Ine, Japan’s “Venice of the East”
October 13, 2025
The iconic boat house village saw nearly 480,000 visitors in 2024 – an estimated 270 times its population.
Bunkitsu Tokyo: New, Sprawling Bookstore Cafe Is a Wonderland of Relaxation
October 12, 2025
The massive new bookstore, with over 100,000 books, offers three cafes where you can choose to hang out for an hour – or even all day.
Tokyo Ramen Festa Showcases Dish’s Regional Variety Over 12 Days
October 10, 2025
Here’s your chance to try some of Japan’s best ramen from across the country in a single location in Tokyo’s Setagaya City.
Japan Is Betting That Tourists Want…NFTs?!
October 7, 2025
The world has moved on from the NFT scam. Japan, however, thinks it’s found a nifty new tool to promote regional tourism.
False Claim of “Muslim Lunches” Makes Japan’s Kitakyushu a Hate Target
September 26, 2025
No, the city of Kitakyushu isn’t offering “Muslim lunches” to students. Other schools in Japan, however, have – and with heartwarming results.
Tokyo Court: Company President’s Harassment Led to Employee’s Suicide
September 15, 2025
The woman, an employee of cosmetics maker D-Up, said the company’s president called her a “stray dog” before putting her on leave.
Fear of a Black Japan: A “Hometown” Program With Africa Sparks Racist Protests
August 31, 2025
A simple misunderstanding led some Japanese citizens to protest an initiative they worry will lead to a flood of African immigrants.
Japan’s Gun Control Laws: How The Country Stays (Almost) Gun-Free
August 18, 2025
Japan has one of the lowest rates of gun crime in the world. How did it start, and how has it stayed that way?
Why Japan’s Combini Can’t Beat Mister Donut
October 16, 2025
Mister Donut is facing fierce competition from the likes of 7-Eleven and Krispy Kreme. Here’s why it remains Japan’s top donut choice.
Tokyo Ramen Festa Showcases Dish’s Regional Variety Over 12 Days
October 10, 2025
Here’s your chance to try some of Japan’s best ramen from across the country in a single location in Tokyo’s Setagaya City.
Why This Kyushu Udon Chain Is Drawing Tokyo Crowds
October 4, 2025
Sukesan Udon, Kitakyushu’s iconic soul food, has landed in Kanto, sparking long lines and a social media buzz. What makes it so special?
FamilyMart Dream Campaign: All-You-Can-Eat Famichiki for 30 Minutes
September 24, 2025
FamilyMart is hosting a Famichiki all-you-can-eat event in Japan. For ¥1,000, fans get 30 minutes to feast on the iconic fried chicken.
1st vs. 118th: On Gender Equality, Japan and Iceland Took Different Roads
September 12, 2025
The Emperor of Japan asked Iceland’s president a very good question recently: Why is your gender gap so much smaller than ours?
Japanese Police Consider Changing Anti-Stalking Law After Murder
September 2, 2025
Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) is considering the change after police in Kawasaki failed to protect a stalking victim.
The Debate Over Women-Only Parking Spaces in Japan
August 25, 2025
Do women-only parking spaces create a safe space for women? Or do they unnecessarily stereotype female drivers?
Japanese Women’s University Says It’ll Admit Men, Draws Mixed Reactions
June 21, 2025
The shift reflects the change in women’s education over the past century as well as the impact of population decline on enrollment.
These Are the Hardest Japanese Place Names to Read – Even for Native Speakers
September 1, 2025
Can you pronounce these difficult Japanese place names? If not, don’t feel bad: most native speakers can’t either!
Japan Prepares Official Hepburn Romanization Switch, Changing 70-Year Tradition
March 11, 2025
Japan will likely abandon its Kunrei-shiki romanization system that even most of its government doesn’t use.
Giccho?! Here Are Some Dead Japanese Words That Only Old Folks Use
March 9, 2025
You may still hear these words or see them in print – but you won’t hear them come from the mouth of a young person.
Event in Kyoto Celebrates Area’s “Culture of Unkindness”
January 29, 2025
How about some bubuzuke? A recent event in Kyoto tested people’s ability to pick up on the REAL meaning behind seemingly bland statements.
Dazai Osamu Wants Us To Feel Less Alone
September 19, 2025
A new collection of the Japanese author’s short stories in English comes as he enjoys a resurgence thanks to BookTok and anime.
July 5 Is the End of the World. Come Celebrate With Me on July 6
July 3, 2025
Is Japan going to sink to the bottom of the ocean on July 5th? Not likely. But what does a manga author’s prediction tell us about society?
Why a Marcille Cosplay at Osaka Expo Resulted in Death Threats
May 18, 2025
A Japanese cosplayer opened up recently about the slander and threats she received for appearing at Expo as the popular character.
Otaku Apocalypse: Good Smile Restricts US Purchases Amidst Trump Tariff Chaos
April 24, 2025
The retailer of manga and anime figures says it won’t allow pre-orders or send shipments to the US until things settle.
Shinjuku’s Moulin Rouge: The Theater That Danced Through War and Censorship
October 6, 2025
Japanese imperial authorities frequently raided it and censored its scripts. Despite this, the women at the Shinjuku Moulin Rouge danced on.
The Last Time Mt. Fuji Erupted… And What Might Happen Next
May 20, 2025
What happened the last time the famed Mt. Fuji erupted? Learn about the Hoei Eruption, and the great crisis it caused during the Edo era.
What’s With the Chaos of Japanese Power Lines?
April 11, 2025
Look up in a Japanese city, and you’re likely to see a sky view partly obscured by power lines. Here’s why Japan’s utility lines are more visible than those in other advanced economies.
The Story of the Japanese Peruvians
November 20, 2024
They’re one of the world’s most important Japanese diaspora groups. Meet the Japanese-Peruvians, and learn their dramatic history.
Sanseitō Rep Likens Being Transgender to a “Contagious” Disease
September 16, 2025
Wada Keiko further stated she believed transgender people needed medical treatment instead of accommodation and understanding.
Support for Transgender Rights Slips Hard in Japan, Says New Worldwide Survey
June 24, 2025
While LGBTQ people in general lost support, transgender people face challenges in Japan in terms of both awareness and acceptance.
“Friendship Marriages” in Japan Give Sexual Minorities Shelter – But At What Cost?
June 5, 2025
Some sexual minorities in Japan are choosing to marry out of convenience. One expert calls it a “last resort” driven by societal inequality.
Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional
March 8, 2025
It’s the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?
Child Sex Tourism to Laos from Japan Booms, Driven By Social Media
September 14, 2025
Japanese men are flocking to Laos to participate in the heinous practice. Some who live in Laos are even conducting tours.
Trouble in TOKIO: Another Sexual Harassment Scandal Rocks Japanese TV
June 22, 2025
Following in the wake of the Nakai Masahiro scandal, another pop/TV star stands accused of multiple acts of harassment against staff.
The Host Is Toast: Japan Approves Law To Crack Down On Host Club Hustlers
May 22, 2025
Hosts, Japan’s grey zone version of aggressive gigolos, are about to find themselves in serious trouble. The predatory practices of these good looking guys with too much hair gel are now punishable by law.
Bold “Dark Part-Time” Thieves in Japan Are Now Stealing From Yakuza
April 17, 2025
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of “yami-baito” targeting Japan’s infamous (and dwindling) crime families.
Japan Shopping Giant Mercari Eyes the Global Market With New App
October 10, 2025
Japan’s most popular online marketplace is only available in a handful of other countries. That’s all about to change.
Japanese Online Marketplace Bans Fetal Ultrasounds To Stop Alleged Scams
August 26, 2025
A viral social media post raised fears that scammers would use the pics to blackmail men for either money or marriage.
Village Vanguard: Why Japan’s Iconic Subculture Stores Are Struggling
August 18, 2025
Village Vanguard is a bookstore and then some. But its recent financial troubles indicate it might have stretched itself too thin.
Cold Stone Creamery May Disappear From Japan. Is It Because of The Singing?
April 18, 2025
Japan will soon only have a single Cold Stone anywhere in the country. Some are blaming the staff’s habit of breaking out into song.
