A traditional Japanese confectionery (wagashi) shop in Ginza took to social media to lament tourists who cancel reservations without notice. It's the latest in a line of shops that say no-shows from travelers are severely impacting their business. unseen-japan.com/japan-restau...

A photo contest in Japan, co-sponsored by a major newspaper, awarded its top prize to an AI-generated image. What's worse is that the image was doubly unoriginal: the submitter didn't even generate it themselves. buff.ly/mEpIwk7

"Proof that magical girls (fighting girls?) existed in the Muromachi Era"

In 2016, a former pirate manga website tried to take a current pirate hentai anime website legit. In a new paper, a researcher explores how it all went wrong - and what the failure says about hentai's place in the larger US adult entertainment industry.

Japanese companies continue to seek creative ways to tap into the idol market. One company that specializes in Buddhist death altars has even gotten into the game with an “oshidan” altar.

One famous Japanese copy-paste text, which appears to date back to a 2020 message board post, reads: “An idol’s boyfriend is like a cockroach in a restaurant. We all know they’re there, but if we see one, we’ll never go back.”

When the Korean War began in 1950, Japan became the United States’ logistical heart and emotional escape. Known as R&R (Rest and Relaxation), the troops referred to Japan trips colloquially as I&I (Intercourse and Intoxication) or even A&A (Ass and Alcohol).

The unspoken horror of Japanese 7-Elevens is that, no matter when you walk in, there a 50% chance they’ll be playing a Muzak rendition of “Viva La Vida”

After World War II, some US-based organizations found a...unique way to fight the Cold War, using Japan as a proxy. Here's the story of how "war brides" and mixed-race children became weapons to ward off Communism. buff.ly/zsW8Cen

Teamwork makes the dream work, as some say. But in Japan, "hōrensō" doesn’t promote initiative; it restrains it. The system assumes that initiative disrupts order, and order survives only when authority stays informed.

If the thrill of blasting through Tokyo in a real-life Mario Kart is on your list, you might want to reconsider. Speeding in a go-kart amidst Tokyo’s sparkling lights sounds awesome to everyone…except the disgruntled locals.

The Suica card debuted in 2001. Sporting the “Made in Japan” FeliCa integrated circuit chip, it’s used not just for transit fares but also as a form of cashless payment at over 2 million locations across Japan.

Arriving in Japan can feel like stepping into a dream come true. But behind the excitement, many foreigners face stress, isolation, and mental strain that often go unnoticed. Here's how to get help when you need it. #ad buff.ly/owXx7sB

This Suica announcement is still reverberating across JP social media. Honestly, between this and "Takanawa Gateway," everyone in charge of business strategy at JR East should be fired unseen-japan.com/suica-pengui...

えっスイカペンギンいなくなるの!?😥

Fuck that, don't let the Suica penguin die.

The Suica penguin has been the face of JR East's popular IC transit card since its inception in 2001. Now, the company says it will replace the iconic character with an as-yet-unannounced mascot. That's left fans both perplexed and irate. buff.ly/otKANut

We've still got Teruyo Nogami, Kurosawa's assistant-turned-documentarian, and who is 98. We've got Kyōko Kagawa at 93, youngster Akira Terao at 78. But for *STARS* - actors who led those hard-hitting dramas and trend-setting genre films of the golden age - this is it. This is the end. RIP Nakadai.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan comprises around 14,000 islands when only a small percentage are inhabited. Here are the six that Japanese travelers say they want to visit sometime soon.

Foreign residents accounted for 4% of National Health Insurance members in fiscal 2023, totaling 970,000 people. A survey by MHLW covering 150 municipalities found that, as of the end of 2024, the payment rate among foreign residents was only 63%.

Fufu Tokyo Ginza offers 34 guest rooms, each equipped with a private bath filled with natural hot spring water transported from Atami. Room sizes range from 55 to 163 square meters, and every unit is designed as a suite. buff.ly/Sb2ypXB

Suica users will soon be able to add several hundred thousand yen (thousands of US dollars) to their cards. The change means Suica shoppers can make larger purchases at JR East train station department stores, such as Atre, where Suica is already accepted.

Nakadai was so much more than just a Mifune replacement in Kurosawa's final epics. He was a legendary presence working with Japan's greatest filmakers from the 60s to the 90s. I always love watching an older film and having him unexpectedly appear - as in Naruse's When a Woman Ascends the Stairs.

Farewell to one of brightest stars of the golden age of Japanese cinema: Nakadai Tatsuya, who starred in some of history's greatest films, has passed away at the age of 92. Major roles included those in Ran, Hara Kiri, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Kagemusha, The Human Condition, and many more.

Japan consistently ranks among the world’s most vaccine-skeptical nations. In 2015, only a small fraction of respondents strongly agreed that vaccines were safe. This placed it alongside France and Mongolia at the bottom of global trust rankings.

[Subscriber] A former Mō Muri employee alleges that the company introduced a client to an attorney in exchange for a kickback from the lawyer. It's the first concrete charge against the resignation proxy service to result in an investigation.

JR East's Suica card is handy for both travel and shopping. But the low maximum 20K yen ($129) balance means its purchasing power is limited. That's about to change, as JR East says it'll raise the limit to better compete against other cashless payment options. buff.ly/wP9wohb

Public trust in vaccines remains alarmingly low in Japan, making it one of the world’s least confident nations toward vaccination. Read more on why this deep-rooted skepticism has become a growing public health concern. buff.ly/elx0ecp

There's a new ryokan in Tokyo's Ginza district. But don't expect a traditional ryokan: some rooms will run you over $2K a night. Inside the new location and how it's driving the growing trend of luxury accommodations for Japan tourism. buff.ly/idaiv7b

BLACK BOX DIARIES faced criticism over its use of materials without permission. Former civil case attorney Nishihiro Yoko and others said it included hotel surveillance footage provided under the condition that it be used only for trial purposes.

[Insider] Japan has almost four million foreign residents out of a total population of 124 million. If you're looking to recoup health care costs, cracking down on delinquent foreigners doesn't give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Polling from the end of October 2025 shows Takaichi Sanae's cabinet with somewhere between 68% and 74% public support. Nikkei puts her 20+ points higher than her predecessor, Ishiba Shigeru, who started his short-lived term with a mere 51% support.

ICYMI: Good news for shoppers around the world! The popular digital marketplace Mercari has announced a forthcoming app for global users that will reduce or eliminate middleman selling and open the Japanese marketplace to all.

A typical girls’ bar will charge 3,000 yen ($19) or more an hour. This may or may not include an “all you can drink” menu. Like con cafes, you can (and should) buy your hostess a drink for every hour you stay and chat.

ICYMI: On September 12th, Tokyo's Takanawa Gateway area saw the launch of a massive NeWoman department store. And its crowning feature may be its shiny new bookstore and cafe.

“Complete Strangers” capsule toy creator Terai Hiroki conceived of the project during COVID as a feel-good way to see people’s faces when everyone was wearing masks. Early user tests convinced him he was on to something special.

Even at Shimane’s three major attractions—Izumo Taisha Shrine, Matsue Castle, and the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine—the number of tourists remains modest. While some foreign travelers visit, their presence is limited.

Enthusiasm for Kamakura's overtourism crowdfunding campaign has been weak. As of 5:30 p.m. on October 15, six days after launch, only one person had donated, offering ¥10,000 ($64). That represents just 0.2 percent of the ¥3.5 million target.

As Japan experiences record-breaking tourism numbers, not every region shares the spotlight. Shimane Prefecture remains quietly apart, offering a sacred shrine, ancient legends, and a slower pace of travel. buff.ly/Wk0L368

Traditional Japanese yaoi paddle

[Insider] Japan's government is becoming stuck in a rut where its major policy initiatives seem aimed at punishing foreigners. It's a smokescreen aimed to obscure decades of failure. Learn more in our latest for subscribers below: buff.ly/ejtkuRf

Hot springs are undoubtedly one of Japan’s most cherished treasures. But their significance goes beyond mere relaxation; they also hold a rich historical legacy. Here’s a look at the world’s oldest onsen inn.

Yeah, when you get cursed out in Japanese, you know it.

Good news: Itō Shiori's BLACK BOX DIARIES, her documentary about her sexual assault case, will finally air in Japan over a year after its release. The screening was delayed after some challenged whether Itō had the rights to air certain footage. buff.ly/RnrAB64

Want to get away from the crowds in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto on your visit to Japan? Miyagi Prefecture, located in the country’s Tohoku (northeastern) region, offers history, temples, markets, natural beauty, and great food. buff.ly/URCqZCK

Idol Fujisaki Azu posted a photo of herself at a movie theater holding a snack and drink tray. Some eagle-eyed fans saw what they determined to be a man’s reflection in the lid of her plastic soda glass. Things went downhill from there.

Recently, new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said she wants her government to revisit limits on work hours. Her party has endorsed, not “work reform” (働き方改革; hatarakikata kaikaku), but “will to work reform” (働きたい改革; hatarakitai kaikaku).

A report from Yano Research shows spending on idols – concerts, merchandise, etc. – growing steadily year after year. In 2024, the market for idols alone was 205 billion yen ($1.3B).

Oooh oooh we know! (Short answer: Other Asian languages exist) unseen-japan.com/etymology-of...

Setting aside the fact that the idol industry is sexually exploitative and a 17-year-old shouldn’t be allowed to be part of it in the first place, Japan desperately needs to have laws that ban companies from controlling idols’ personal lives.