Want to do something a little something different on your trip to Japan? Get out of Tokyo and Kyoto and head north to Morioka instead.
Jan 18, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
Japan’s Worst Tourist Traps and Where to Go Instead
Some of the most famous destinations in Japan aren’t as great as advertised, but a better option might be just around the corner.
The definitive guide to Japan’s tourist reopening in September 2022
Confused about Japan's travel rules? Here's everything you need to know about the border opening to tourists, from the Japan experts.
Animating Attraction
How Faith and John Hubley made a timeless film about love.
Inbound Tourist Discounts Ending in Japan As Locals Protest
It used to be you could get into some key cultural attractions in Japan as a tourist at a discount. Here's why those days may be over.
Japan’s Top 5 Department Stores
Oh, the beauty of Japanese department stores! There is definitely something magical about Japanese department stores whether it’s due to their exceptional customer service, often marvelous food floors,…
The Attraction of Shōnen
Shōnen manga or anime typically aimed at boys younger than the age of 15. Yet, people flock to this genre as their first time exposure to the world…
IC Cards and More: Japan’s Transportation System Is As Interesting As Convenient
IC cards are now a must for using the Japanese public transport system. The cards are more varied, and more interesting, than you'd expect.
Tourists Love Japan’s Toilets, Says New Survey
Foreign tourists are going wild for Japan's bidet-equipped toilets - and many are eager to see them in public spaces too.
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
As Japan’s Birth Rates Continue Declining, Politicians Talk Cash
Both Japan's PM and Tokyo's governor want to pay people to have more kids. But is this just another doomed short-term strategy?
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
Foreign Residents Decry Japan’s “Legal Worker” Campaign as Harassment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is cracking down on illegal work - but some say their "awareness campaign" encourages harassment.
Yomu in Japan: Tourist Edition
So in addition to cherry blossom viewing, which was pretty much the bulk of my tourist activities in Tokyo a few weeks ago, I’ve some other pictures that…
Netflix’s Dark Tourist First Impressions
Dark Tourist is Netflix documentary hosts by the New Zealand journalist David Farrier. The series explores the phenomenon of dark tourism – tourism that involves traveling to places…
Am I an Anime Tourist?
Recently, I decided to go on a trip to visit the country of Animanga. That's right. I was an anime tourist. And these... are my stories. SOCIAL MEDIA: https://beacons.ai/colleensmangarecs SUPPORT ME…
Is Yamaguchi City Japan’s New Go-To Destination?
A New York Times article puts a spotlight on a hot new destination in Japan. Will the attention help with the country's overtourism problem?
Is Japan’s New Adult Video (AV) Law Working?
It was intended to protect women. But is Japan's new AV law working? Some signs say yes - but detractors still exist on both sides.
Japan’s “Mermaid Mummy” Finally Identified via New Research
A team of researchers set out to discover the true identity of a "mermaid mummy" enshrined in a Japanese temple. The result?
Japan’s Finest: The Top 3 Condoms for Your Pleasure
On the hunt for the perfect condom to suit your needs? Look no further — here are the top three preferences in Japan!
As Adult Age Lowers, Japan’s “Coming of Age” Ceremonies Rebrand
Japan's Coming of Age ceremonies are rebranding thanks to the age of adulthood changing this year from 20 to 18.
Will Voice Actors Quit Over Japan’s New Tax Law?
A new tax system in Japan may expose creators' identities - and a voice actor says it could cause many of her colleagues to quit.
What Japan’s Hot New Buzzwords of 2021 Tell Us
A hot YouTube song, gender equality, and the head of the International Olympic Committee all make 2021's list of Japanese buzzwords.
Japan’s Hot New Buzzwords Tell the Story of 2022
The hottest new words and phrases of 2022 tell a story of political and economic upheaval, as well as a tale of foxes and baseball gods.
Protesters Hold Demo Against Japan’s New Refugee Law Reforms
Refugees and their advocates say a revision to Japan's immigration law risks repeating recent high-profile tragedies.
100 Porn Stars March Japan’s Streets Protesting New Law
Legislators in Japan say a new Adult Video (AV) law curbs the porn industry's worst abuses. Industry stars say it's killing their livelihoods.
New Song/New Resonance: Anime as Gateways into New Music and Perspectives
Welcome to a special issue of This Side of Japan dedicated to music in anime
The Attraction of the Subs vs Dubs War
Hopefully this will not put me in the fire for making this my second post on this site. But, it seems like this is the ongoing battle since…
Namahage: In Japan’s Akita, Demons Ring in the New Year
The namahage are wild, Krampus-like New Year's mountain gods of Akita Prefecture. But what's the story behind the horns and straw coats?
A New Generation of Gangsters is Taking Over Japan’s Underworld
Police in Japan are cracking down on the country's organized crime orgs. But the criminals aren't quitting - they're going underground.
In Gen Z Japan’s Hot New Slang, Princes Become Frogs
When does a prince become a frog? For Gen Zers in Japan, it can happen over something as small as a declined train card.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons as Rorschach Test
Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived just in time to explode in popularity. With so many people staying home due to COVID-19 and in need of some respite, the…
The Millionaire Detective’s Daisuke Kamba: A Playground of Attraction
A short post on the fun of enjoying the extremely awful main character of The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited (Fugou Keiji). In my little corner of the anime…
These Top 5 Fathers Are Just As Cool !!
Goku and Gohan a classic but favourite Us aussie’s celebrate Fathers day later in the year so might be weird seeing this post. Already I thought a post…
Japan’s Technical Interns Could More Easily Switch Jobs Under New Proposal
Japan's technical interns, some of whom suffer horrible abuses from their employers, may soon find it easier to find a new job.
Working as an Animator in Japan’s Anime Industry (Kushagra Kushwaha) | Japan Station 107
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kushwagra Kushwaha, an animator working in Japan's anime industry tells us how he got to Japan, how he got his
JapanKyo – Interesting news on Japan, podcasts about Japan & more
Ryoko's Life as a New Animator All Episodes
The 2023 Animator Dormitory Project is Live! https://gogetfunding.com/animator-dorm-2023/ The Animator Dormitory is made possible thanks to our supporters via crowdfunding. ---------------------------------------------------------------- New Anime Making System Project Phase 1 https://gogetfunding.com/2020-new-anime-making-system-project/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Raising Wages…
Top 10 New Action Anime of 2022
✈️ Use Code "VINII" to get $5 off for your first #Sakuraco box through this link: https://team.sakura.co/vinii-SC2211 and get a chance to win FREE tickets to Japan…
Japan’s Deadliest Animal
When summer nears, Japan’s most dangerous animal starts appearing in many places. We are not talking about bears, who roam Hokkaido and the northern part of Honshu. We…
Japan’s Hot New Buzzwords of 2023: Sportsmanship, Nude Jokes, And Sugar Babies
2023's trendy Japan words include a new type of girl group, a guy who's definitely wearing pants, and Japan's most popular baseball player.
Top 5 Least Favorite Anime (As of September 2021)
A list of some of my least favorite anime.
My Top 10 Favorite Anime (As of August 2021)
My favorites list is certainly different, but some things never change.
Golden Time, No Game, No Life, Princess Jellyfish, Robotics;Notes, Terror in Resonance
My Top 5 Favorite Manga (As of March 2023)
Talking about my favorite manga as of this month.
How to Japanese Podcast – S02E04 – Tourist Mindset and ノーダメージ
You don’t have to go very far to be a tourist, and looking at the world with that mindset can also be helpful for language study. In this…
Tourist Areas in Japan Struggle with Ill-Mannered Visitors
Various spots in Japan - including a rail crossing made famous by the manga Slam Dunk - are dealing with obnoxious tourists. Again.
French Tourist Arrested for Punching a Woman in Roppongi
A 23-year-old French man had too wild of a night in Roppongi that ended with him slugging a woman and, eventually, being placed under arrest.
Get Ready, Japan Tourists – Here Comes the “Tourist Tax”
As tourists pour back into Japan, more and more municipalities are taxing their stay. Here's what it means for your trip.
Japan Reopens and Tourist Interest Skyrockets – But Risk Remains
Interest in tourism to Japan has skyrocketed ahead of its October 11th re-opening. But that doesn't mean the pandemic's over.
Top 10 Best New Anime Movies [2020 - 2023]
Here is our list of the best anime movies from 2020 and 2023. If you like the video please like and share. This list is just my opinion, so…
Top 5 New English Light Novels of 2023
It’s that time of the year again! Looking back on this year’s English light novel debuts, there were a handful of titles that I was really looking forward…
Top 10 Most Anticipated NEW Winter 2023 Anime
Check out For Your Tranquility here: https://ggcont.me/3P7jOQk I've come to assemble what I believe to be the top 10 most anticipated new anime that will be released in January.…