The incident highlights the dangers of climbing Mt. Fuji without adequate equipment, preparation, or common sense.
Many inbound travelers to Japan love staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan. However, they’re not so keen on the food that comes with it.
The iconic spot, struggling with overtourism, asked reporters and media to keep their cameras away this year.
Long entrance lines, an eight-hour wait for sushi, and other planning catastrophes further marred an event that came pre-marred.
Why did a security guard do a deeply humiliating bow to an Osaka Expo attendee? Officials say it was because the guard feared for his safety.
A unique event held yearly in Tokyo gives participants a chance to talk about death openly – and even see what it’s like to die.
The times they are a-changin’, with 26.7% of elementary school kids saying they can’t use the old-style devices.
Is it time to rethink 24-hour convenience store culture in Japan? Some think so in the wake of a 38-year-old manager’s suicide.
The Kameido store says it’s “repulsed” watching senior employees trick juniors into eating their 2,000+-calorie large bowls.
Kiwamiya is drawing in tourists with its “cook it yourself” hamburg steak. But some warn food poisoning may just be one plate away.
The 24-hour beef bowl chain, which recently admitted it had served someone a dead mouse, says it’ll close most of its stores for four days.
Want to have a taste of Japan on hand when disaster strikes? These rehydratable onigiri may just fit the bill.
The city’s Chamber of Commerce has a Leonard DiCaprio Rule for new geisha, saying they can’t be older than 25.
Some women said they waited 40 minutes to get access to facilities at Yoyogi Park during this year’s hanami festivities.
Tsu in Mie Prefecture says it’s worried about theft and the expense – but city halls and some train stations in Japan already offer them.
Some freaked out over Yoshida Ayaka’s suggestion after conservative gadfly Sugita Mio bashed her on social media.
Japan will likely abandon its Kunrei-shiki romanization system that even most of its government doesn’t use.
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.
How about some bubuzuke? A recent event in Kyoto tested people’s ability to pick up on the REAL meaning behind seemingly bland statements.
Gone are the days of “chan” and “kun” in Japanese business. Recent research finds bosses are striking a more respectful tone.
The retailer of manga and anime figures says it won’t allow pre-orders or send shipments to the US until things settle.
Yep, it’s another Conan film – but one that’s entertaining for non-fans while giving fans a deeper look at a recurring character.
Here’s what’s made the Detective Conan series so popular – and the silly things you should ignore to enjoy it.
Fans and even politicians are angry at a record company’s plans to include unreleased nudes of enka singer Yashiro Aki in its CD release.
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.
They’re one of the world’s most important Japanese diaspora groups. Meet the Japanese-Peruvians, and learn their dramatic history.
Spurred by colonialist propaganda that called his people “a dying race,” Iboshi Hokuto spent his short life in service to his belief that “only the Ainu could save the Ainu.”
Want a rare peak into Japan’s pre-history? An expanded exhibit at Tokyo National Museum is celebrating Haniwa, funerary statues from the country’s Kofun Era, bringing some rare pieces together under the same roof for the first time.
It’s the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?
Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture will become the first in Japan to extend a marriage benefits program to sexual and gender minorities.
The government is still investigating whether same-sex couples in common-law marriages are covered by an additional 130 laws.
The report says 54.2% of school nurses neglect to obtain a student’s permission before sharing their gender or sexuality concerns.
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of “yami-baito” targeting Japan’s infamous (and dwindling) crime families.
The incident puts a spotlight on how police interrogation tactics play a role in Japan’s lauded 99.9% conviction rate.
The conflict has cost over 90 lives in blood-soaked scenes that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Takashi Miike film.
Police arrested the 41-year-old man, who had apparently just been released from jail for assaulting his ex-wife in 2024.
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.
Some experts say a third release from the country’s reserves might not have any effect and that prices will remain high until autumn.
At long last, the craft beer scene is booming in Tokyo. We sat down with the craft entrepreneurs at Sakamichi Brewing to learn more about the local scene.
There are only 36 Costcos in Japan – but there are nearly three times as many stores whose whole business is reselling the company’s products.
Unseen Japan is proudly hosted by Rocket.net. Get your first month of WordPress hosting on Rocket.net for just $1.
Links on Unseen Japan may point to affiliate programs from which we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, read our privacy policy.
Let’s stay in touch. Get our free newsletter to get a weekly update on our best stories (all human-generated, we promise). You’ll also help keep UJ independent of Google and the social media giants.
Want a preview? Read our archives.
Read our privacy policy
