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Millions of Tokyo Station Commemorative Suica Cards Set to Expire
If you have one of these cards and don't want to lose the balance - and the card - then you have only a few days left to…
Kyoto City May Partially Ban Vacation Rentals to Give Residents Tourist Relief
The city's mayor won't rule out creating "zero-day vacation rental" zones in residential areas in response to chronic complaints.
[Insider] How I Found Myself Locked in a Love Hotel
Many love hotels don't like it when you leave before your stay is up. Indeed, some older ones make sure you can't.
Japan Sets New February Tourism Record Despite China Boycott
Travel from other countries offset a 45.2% drop from a nation that used to lead the pack in Japan tourism.
Stalking Incidents, Restraining Orders in Japan Set New Record
The ominous spike could be a sign that police in Japan are finally starting to take women's allegations seriously.
Tokyo Court Denies Japanese Women’s Right to Sterilization Surgery
Five women in their 20s and 30s challenged a 1996 law that prevents them from controlling their own biology.
“Wasteful”: Japanese Schools Dump Thousands of Meals to Avoid “Celebrating” Tsunami
Two people complained about serving an "auspicious" food on the anniversary of one of Japan's worst modern disasters.
Credit Card Tap-to-Pay Comes to Many (But Not All) Tokyo Trains
Soon, you'll be able to tap-to-pay on many trains and subways across Tokyo. But be warned: not every train company's on board.
[Insider] Why Japan Opposes Trump’s Iran War
As Japan struggles with rising prices at home, the public reigsters its displeasure with what's happening in the Middle East.
Japan to Fine Bad Cyclists as Complaints About Biking Infrastructure Persist
Some say nothing will change until Japan gets serious about creating dedicated bike lanes and getting cyclists off the sidewalks.
Reclaiming the Land: 15 Years Later, Fukushima’s Massive Cleanup Continues
Japan says it's dedicated to decontaminating the land spoiled by the Fukushima nuclear accident. But most residents still haven't returned.
Murdered Woman in Japan Reported Ex Nine Times for Stalking
Why did Kawasaki police fail to act on nine reports of stalking, doubts from the attacker's own family, and the suspect's suspicious behavior?
Plagued by Overtourism, Shirakawagō Considers Reservation System for Tour Buses
The village of Shirakawagō has 1,500 residents but welcomes two million tourists a year. It may clamp down in a bid to combat overtourism.
Unseen Japan Insider: Will Separate Spousal Surnames Finally Become Law?
A new bill would allow women in Japan to keep their maiden names. Does it stand a snowball's chance in hell of passing?
Japan’s Teaboo UK Ambassador Gets Grilled Over Crumpet Topping
Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan's ambassador to the UK, caused a stir when he brought together two British tastes that some insist don't go together.
Unseen Japan Insider: Comedian Attempts to Outrun Sex Assault Accusations
Comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi is betting he can simply ignore the accusations against him and move his career to his own on-demand service. He figures he can abandon Japanese…
Mask Generation: The Unusual Reason Japan’s Young Continue to Mask Up
Many people in their 20s in Japan continue to mask up. However, some say they're not doing it for health reasons.
Japanese Police Shut Down Tourist Sword “Tryouts”
Wanna slice something open with a samurai sword while in Japan? Well, you can't, because the Japanese police are party poopers.
Hikaru Utada Gets Political in Song Lyric About Separate Spousal Surnames
The singer of "First Love" and "Automatic" stirred controversy with a song lyric about Japanese women keeping their maiden names.
Tattooed Sashimi Chef Inherits Japanese Restaurant, Overcomes Hate Over Appearance
Tochonika Pepe, age 25, is the proprietress of a long-running kaisendon restaurant - and a TikTok and Instagram sensation.
Why Japan’s Single Men Are The Unhappiest In The World
Why are single men in Japan unhappier than in other nations? One writer argues that the unfair expectations placed on women are to blame.
Tourists’ Number One Complaint About Japan is…Nothing
51.1% said they had no complaints, a big improvement over last year. However, crowding and immigration wait times have become issues.
Japan’s Proposed New Bicycling Fines Anger Riders
Japan will institute tough new bicycling fines next year. But some cyclists say the country should concentrate on infrastructure instead.
How a 58-Year-Old Japanese Salaryman Danced His Way Into The World’s Heart
By day, he's a management consultant. The world knows him better as "Uncle Tohru" - and they've made him an online dance star.
Student Rescued From Mt. Fuji Goes Back for Smartphone, Needs Second Rescue
The incident highlights the dangers of climbing Mt. Fuji without adequate equipment, preparation, or common sense.
Otaku Apocalypse: Good Smile Restricts US Purchases Amidst Trump Tariff Chaos
The retailer of manga and anime figures says it won't allow pre-orders or send shipments to the US until things settle.
Osaka Expo Explains Why Security Guard Made Groveling Bow to Attendee
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.
Hello, Death: Tokyo Event Gives Attendees a Chance to Die, Frankly Discuss The End
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.
Kyoto Ryokans Stop Serving Traditional Japanese Food That Foreign Tourists Hate
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.
Jirō Ramen Asks Customers to Stop “Jirō Harassment” of New Employees
The Kameido store says it's "repulsed" watching senior employees trick juniors into eating their 2,000+-calorie large bowls.
Review: Detective Conan – One-Eyed Flashback Is What You Want From a Conan Flick
Yep, it's another Conan film - but one that's entertaining for non-fans while giving fans a deeper look at a recurring character.
Detective Conan: What Makes Japan’s Popular Anime Fun – and Patently Ridiculous
Here's what's made the Detective Conan series so popular - and the silly things you should ignore to enjoy it.
Cold Stone Creamery is Closing Its Tokyo Store. Is It Because of The Singing?
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.
Bold “Dark Part-Time” Thieves in Japan Are Now Stealing From Yakuza
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of "yami-baito" targeting Japan's infamous (and dwindling) crime families.
Company to Release CD for Dead Japanese Singer – With Her Private Nudes Included
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.
This Popular Tourist Spot in Japan Doesn’t Want Media Covering It
The iconic spot, struggling with overtourism, asked reporters and media to keep their cameras away this year.
“Osaka Expo Sucks” Trends as Long Lines, No Wifi, and a Crappy App Mar Opening
Long entrance lines, an eight-hour wait for sushi, and other planning catastrophes further marred an event that came pre-marred.
Japanese Business Org Only Wants Geisha Under 25 Because Men Like ‘Em Young
The city's Chamber of Commerce has a Leonard DiCaprio Rule for new geisha, saying they can't be older than 25.
Be Careful If You Visit This Japanese Hamburg Steak Chain, Experts Warn
Kiwamiya is drawing in tourists with its "cook it yourself" hamburg steak. But some warn food poisoning may just be one plate away.
What’s with the Chaos of Japanese Power Lines?
Look up in a Japanese city, and you're likely to see a sky view partly obscured by power lines. Why Japan's utility lines are more visible than those…
Patriarchy Strikes Again: Women Wait Forever for Toilets at Cherry Blossom Viewing
Some women said they waited 40 minutes to get access to facilities at Yoyogi Park during this year's hanami festivities.
Survey: 1 in 4 Japanese Kids Can’t Use a Japanese-Style Squat Toilet
The times they are a-changin', with 26.7% of elementary school kids saying they can't use the old-style devices.
Beware The Illegal Barkers in Sapporo’s Susukino District
Sapporo passed a new law against coaxing customers into questionable businesses in 2022. But in 2024, it didn't issue a single fine.
Hyogo Police Compelled 12-Year-Old Girl to Confess to False Report
The incident puts a spotlight on how police interrogation tactics play a role in Japan's lauded 99.9% conviction rate.
The Great Yakuza War is Over! (Maybe)
The conflict has cost over 90 lives in blood-soaked scenes that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Takashi Miike film.
Japanese Consumers Groan As Rice Prices Just Keep Climbing
Some experts say a third release from the country's reserves might not have any effect and that prices will remain high until autumn.
Will Japan Eliminate Tax-Free Sales to Tourists Completely?
A growing chorus of voices across the political spectrum says the country should collect the money to improve the lives of its citizens.
A 7-11 Manager Died After Working Six Months Without a Break
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.
Japanese City Says It Won’t Make Women’s Sanitary Products Free After Criticism
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.
Japanese Gamer Skips Middle School to Work on Fortnite Skills
It's a rare move in a country with no legal structure for homeschooling - but the gamer and his parents stand by the family's decision.