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Unseen Japan is a collective of writers who report on news, history, culture, and social movements in Japan based on Japanese sources. We aim to cover viewpoints from Japan that you may not often hear in the English speaking world.
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The parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns.
Demons out, luck in! How the festival of Setsubun evolved into a tradition enjoyed by kids across Japan every year.
It’s rated as Tokyo’s most confusing train station for a reason. But it’s easy to get around once you know a few simple rules.
It’s traditionally been expected that women in Japan will sacrifice their careers for their husbands. That might be changing.
No old people. No young people. No babies allowed. Here’s why restaurants in Japan are increasingly setting rules on who can walk in the door.
Get away from the over-crowded tourist areas in Japan’s cities this year and enjoy one of these unique cultural experiences.
The country will recommend buildings provide more facilities for women than men, bringing Japan closer to international standards.
Takaichi Sanae sidestepped an issue that would likely have caused a row amongst her right-wing supporters.
The success or failure of the Alliance could set the tone for Japanese politics for the next decade (or longer).
One lawmaker warns that proposed spy legislation could tread on a booming business in Japan: support for one’s favorite idol or star.
How Kabukicho, Japan’s biggest red light district, arose from the ashes of post-war Japan.
The village, which sees a swell of tourists in the winter, wants to remind people it’s a living community, not an open-air museum.
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