Unseen Japan

The Japan you don't learn about in anime.

Free Newsletter: https://unseen-japan.com/newsletter
Web: https://unseen-japan.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/unseenjapan

Public Key

npub1jqsgrrzxan6u6je88rzsgg9s8s732aq0t97yhk2ht06n2gf5xqysqfmy3z

NIP-05 Address

unseenjapan_at_mstdn.jp@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsfqgyp33rweawdfvnn33gyyzcrc0g4ws84jlztm9t4haf4yy6rqzgprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmnt6l3chq

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1jqsgrrzxan6u6je88rzsgg9s8s732aq0t97yhk2ht06n2gf5xqysqfmy3z

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Last Notes

2026-02-04 04:03:27 UTC

We applied for access to famichiki.jp. If that's approved, we'll likely move there

2026-02-04 03:57:41 UTC

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oh yikes. We’ve def seen that in the form of harassment in the past. I’ll look at moving us to famichiki

2026-02-04 03:57:03 UTC

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Yeah was thinking of looking at famichiki to see if it worked better for us

2026-02-04 01:09:57 UTC

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Current polls and prognostications say it appears that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will secure a clear majority. Meanwhile, the newly-minted Central Reform Alliance could lose close to half of its members.
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV233F51V23UTFK00BM.html?iref=comtop_7_03

2026-02-04 01:09:42 UTC

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It's odd to hold elections in the dead of winter. This is expected to have a negative effect on voter turnout. Aomori Prefecture is predicting it will see voting at 1/rd the level compared to the October 2024 Lower House election.
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20260202/k00/00m/010/204000c

2026-02-04 01:09:23 UTC

Snow is wreaking havoc on Japan's off-cycle Lower House election. Nagaden, a bus company serving Nagano's Hokushin region, has responded by setting up a bus as an early-voting station in the ski-resort city of Nakano.
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/116/009/686/765/813/774/original/e50bec4afaedaf00.png

2026-02-04 01:00:40 UTC

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We can post images directly - it's just no post from Buffer works, not even "test."

2026-02-03 23:51:43 UTC

We've been silent on here because it seems Mstdn.jp might have done something to break Buffer integration - it hasn't worked now for months. Looking into whether or not we can resolve it or whether we simply need to move servers.

2026-02-03 22:35:23 UTC

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ah gotcha. I expect that’ll come back. It took a few minutes for our profile to load for me after login 😆

2026-02-03 22:33:05 UTC

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I don’t know what a DP is. As for our absence, Buffer integration with Mstdn.jp broke a while back. I’m making an effort to post manually until we figure out another automated solution

2026-02-03 22:29:22 UTC

It took a long time to approve. But finally, after a three-year trial run, women in Japan can now buy the morning-after pill nationwide without a prescription. The move comes after years of opposition - including from men in Japan's medical community.
#japan #unseenjapan #women #sex
https://buff.ly/hikt6QW
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/116/009/058/225/683/455/original/4df781f0b3a6e678.png

2025-11-19 21:45:54 UTC

Tourism to Japan in October 2025 set a new record for the month at 3,896,300 visitors. But will threats from China and trouble with littering tourists put a dent in next month's numbers? A look at the current state of Japan travel in our latest:
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-october-2025-record-tourism/
#japan #unseenjapan #tourism #travel

2025-11-11 20:00:17 UTC

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.
#japan #unseenjapan #trains #news #travel
https://unseen-japan.com/suica-penguin-retirement/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/532/838/599/672/990/original/029cdfa7d4acb66f.jpg

2025-11-09 21:01:23 UTC

[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.
#japan #unseenjapan #news #world #politics
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-foreign-population-targeted/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/521/753/875/361/099/original/b31e56ed5610b1f8.jpg

2025-11-05 23:48:00 UTC

"Hōrensō" in Japan is more than just spinach - it's the secret to effective business communication. But as our author writes, the concept can also be used to shut down subordinates and shield superiors from responsibility.
https://buff.ly/m3mHwm1
#japan #unseenjapan #work #business
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/499/755/883/900/430/original/eaa6b00bf4e2615f.png

2025-11-03 22:12:16 UTC

What, exactly, is a "con cafe"? How does it differ from a girls' bar? And can you, as a foreign visitor to Japan, go to either one? Learn more in our comprehensive guide to three different but overlapping nightlife spots, how they work, and what to know before you go.
https://unseen-japan.com/maid-cafes-con-cafes-girls-bars/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tours
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/488/058/286/847/530/original/08386a66beb958ac.jpg

2025-11-01 00:09:39 UTC

While most retro toys have fallen by the wayside, capsule toys are having a fourth revival in the mainstream thanks to a new twist on the arcade staple. Learn about how tourism and funny gimmicks are keeping gacha alive in our latest.
https://unseen-japan.com/capsule-toy-people-photo-ids/
#japan #unseenjapan #toys #popculture #culture
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/471/532/062/881/477/original/77b7a7610d13c901.jpg

2025-10-23 20:14:06 UTC

With inflation ravaging Japan, the government needs more revenue - but can't get it from cash-strapped citizens. The plan? Get it from tourists. The gov plans to raise visa fees and other levies to fund popular measures such as free high school.
https://buff.ly/vKCuxj2
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism #tours
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/425/287/779/411/858/original/b2a57637e35d2b45.jpg

2025-10-22 22:38:02 UTC

The Mount Tsukuba Cable Car in Ibaraki Prefecture celebrated its 100th year this month. Learn more about the attraction's history, why you should visit, and how its operator is working to balance tourism with preservation.
https://buff.ly/Gj2Dgkr
#japan #unseenjapan #tours #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/420/211/894/385/844/original/7d336c887d10fb22.jpg

2025-10-21 22:13:37 UTC

Wanna enjoy one of Japan's signature dishes but still stay halal? Most ramen contains pork, as well as alcohol to preserve the noodles. These five ramen shops in Tokyo, though, go above and beyond to create a bowl that any Muslim can eat.
https://unseen-japan.com/halal-ramen-tokyo-five-spots/
#japan #food #ramen #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/414/453/992/436/330/original/3e1d86ca6c87b36f.png

2025-10-19 23:15:38 UTC

FYI, posts have been light here b/c Buffer posting to Mastodon is failing. Looking into the cause.

2025-10-19 23:14:46 UTC

(Subscriber only) After twenty-six years together as the ruling coalition, Kōmeitō has split from the LDP. The breakup ends one of the longest, most enduring political partnerships in postwar history. How did it all come to an end? Subscribe and read today:
https://unseen-japan.com/ldp-komeito-coalition-breakup/
#japan #unseenjapan #politics
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/403/351/054/993/565/original/11e526350f62e3a8.png

2025-10-19 23:09:22 UTC

More tourists say they're using AI translation to get around in their host countries. But many admit they don't actually like the experience. Here's why some businesses in Japan hate it too, and what you can do instead of talking through a machine.
https://unseen-japan.com/ai-translation-japan-trip/
#japan #unseenjapan #languages #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/403/348/667/850/951/original/d2176e947f1acce5.jpg

2025-10-19 23:07:07 UTC

What's the most charming place to get your drink on in Tokyo? A review company recently put out its list of the top 10 most popular areas for imbibing. What’s surprising is not which spots made the list, but which prominent location did not.
https://unseen-japan.com/tokyo-top-10-drinking-spots/
#japan #unseenjapan #tours #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/403/339/542/576/666/original/99eb0f7cfad4e26c.jpg

2025-10-17 13:30:44 UTC

The Shibuya around Shibuya Scramble is more of a mess than ever. Of course, there's an easy way to avoid this: don't go there! The other option is to go, but take just a few steps away from the madding crowd to "back Shibuya." (Subscriber article)
https://unseen-japan.com/shibuya-unseen-hidden-spots/
#japan #unseenjapan #tours #travel
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/389/749/006/597/585/original/ac58eff23b031a19.jpeg

2025-10-17 13:06:16 UTC

Stereotypes of Japan as a land of vague meaning and blunted expression are just straight-up Orientalism and obscure a complex reality. Here's why blanket statements about Japanese being a "subtle language" need to be taken with a grain of salt.
https://unseen-japan.com/the-myth-of-japanese-indirectness-and-subtlety/
#japan #unseenjapan #japanese
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/389/652/797/820/489/original/29ff8bda617d4dc5.png

2025-10-17 12:01:29 UTC

Currently, fans worldwide have to go through Japanese third parties to access Mercari listings for Japan-exclusive products. The growing market has led to the emergence of specialized aggregation and warehousing services. That's about to change.
https://unseen-japan.com/mercari-global-app-launch/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/389/398/066/849/607/original/2416245497003f1b.png

2025-10-16 21:34:26 UTC

Bunkitsu Tokyo takes up the entirety of NeWoman Takanawa's 5th floor. It’s an impressive bookstore, with over 100,000 titles for sale. That makes it Bunkitsu’s largest outlet and its new flagship shop.
https://unseen-japan.com/bunkitsu-tokyo-newoman-takanawa-gateway/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/385/988/684/359/164/original/09faf9f9cd81e6f8.jpeg

2025-10-16 21:07:47 UTC

Say “donuts,” and people in Japan think one thing: Mister Donut. In recent years, Krispy Kreme and even 7-Eleven have tried displacing the household name. Here's how the chain has continued to thrive despite increasing competition.
https://unseen-japan.com/mister-donut-vs-combini/
#japan #unseenjapan #food #business
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/385/883/872/877/873/original/4e4acfb0e4aa619b.jpeg

2025-10-16 21:03:30 UTC

The December run of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is fast approaching. Which raises the question: Should you cram for it? Here are our recommendations for how to prepare as the days count down.
https://unseen-japan.com/cram-for-the-jlpt/
#japan #unseenjapan #japanese
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/385/866/990/349/730/original/7a3a3c103e7b5138.jpeg

2025-10-16 21:03:23 UTC

There are still many places you can't visit in Japan without knowing Japanese.
Let us take you there.
Plan your custom tour with Unseen Japan Tours and we'll guide you to the locations that only locals know about.
https://unseen-japan.com/unseen-japan-tours/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/385/866/552/466/368/original/b3bc0240f43d9e35.jpeg

2025-10-16 21:03:05 UTC

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UJ works due to the generosity of our supporters. Make a one-time or monthly contribution and get access to all back issues of Insider, our weekly series containing an exclusive Japan-related article for our best fans.
https://buff.ly/26Q77HU

2025-10-16 21:03:04 UTC

Here’s a quick tour of some of the smaller, independent places to shop, eat, and drink in Shibuya away from the big-box stores. We also tell you where you can find some quiet spots to relax right within the heart of Shibuya itself. (Subscriber article)
https://unseen-japan.com/shibuya-unseen-hidden-spots/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/385/865/354/952/447/original/466b9c659e2b1f24.jpeg

2025-10-15 13:15:18 UTC

ICYMI: Rupan Sansei is in full kabuki mode through almost its entire run, with language that tends to be just as inscrutable for Japanese speakers as Shakespeare can be for English natives. Still, the characters shine through.
https://unseen-japan.com/we-saw-the-lupin-iii-kabuki-and-so-should-you/
#japan #unseenjapan #anime #kabuki
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/378/363/682/965/620/original/c0c98c2fabd9ff10.jpeg

2025-10-15 13:06:14 UTC

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Discuss this and other interesting aspects of Japanese culture with other fans on the UJ Discord:
https://buff.ly/VVtyenm

2025-10-15 13:06:13 UTC

Ever seen a Japanese calendar and wondered why each day is labeled with a word like 大安 or 仏滅? These words are part of a Japan-exclusive tradition called rokuyō. Learn more about them and what each one means below.
https://unseen-japan.com/rokuyo-lunar-calendar-marriage-days/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/378/327/862/968/302/original/9e8861e464e65e76.jpeg

2025-10-15 01:48:08 UTC

ICYMI: Across Japan, former NHK Party supporters are getting demand notices for years of unpaid fees. Late interest and litigation costs push totals even higher. Some households now owe more than ¥100,000 ($678).
https://unseen-japan.com/nhk-party-fee-nonpayment-scandal/
#japan #unseenjapan #politics #television #tv
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/375/661/602/339/042/original/e1d3b70f1d2ca71e.png

2025-10-15 01:21:05 UTC

ICYMI: Another member of the far-right Sanseitō party in Japan has stirred controversy with her comments. Wada Keiko claimed that identifying as transgender could “spread contagiously,” likening it to a disease.
https://unseen-japan.com/sanseito-transgender-remarks-controversy/
#japan #unseenjapan #lgbtq
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/375/555/352/944/917/original/611852ea3f1580ab.jpeg

2025-10-13 22:27:46 UTC

Nestled two hours from central Kyoto, Ine is a tranquil fishing town of 1,800 residents. In 2024, it received 480K visitors - 270 times its population. That has residents demanding the government help reign in rude tourists eating on their doorsteps.
https://buff.ly/KdqVRni
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/369/211/426/540/756/original/e3376e3dac580fba.jpeg

2025-10-13 12:45:20 UTC

ICYMI: Southeast Asia has long been a favorite among Japanese tourists: affordable, just a short flight away, and offering unique cultural and natural experiences. But behind the postcards and tourist brochures lies a far darker reality.
https://unseen-japan.com/japanese-sex-tourism-laos/
#japan #unseenjapan #news #sex #crime
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/366/921/291/042/440/original/8bfeaaa52805b84c.jpeg

2025-10-13 12:37:06 UTC

At a time when sacrificing one’s life for the nation was considered a duty, Moulin Rouge Shinjuku star Ashita Matsuko told soldiers she prayed for their safe return.
“Before they were soldiers, they were my fans. The war stole their youth.”
https://buff.ly/PxZc2Zn
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/366/888/901/145/694/original/d315d04567859a1c.jpeg

2025-10-13 12:01:34 UTC

ICYMI: D-Up, the company accused of driving Satomi to suicide, released a statement on its website. The company apologized and confirmed that the company President, Sakai Mitsuru, stepped down on September 10.
https://unseen-japan.com/d-up-harassment-suicide-ruling/
#japan #unseenjapan #news #work #health
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/366/749/128/789/326/original/a161aa9de09c2a73.jpeg

2025-10-13 12:01:33 UTC

ICYMI: A brown bear in Hokkaido, well known to locals as the “Mother of Iwaobetsu," was normally calm. After being fed by tourists, her behavior changed. On August 14, 2025, she attacked and killed a 26-year-old hiker on Mt. Rausu.
https://unseen-japan.com/tourists-feeding-bears-japan-hokkaido/
#japan #unseenjapan #tours #travel
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/366/749/103/114/649/original/2e936a53602f60bb.jpeg

2025-10-12 02:48:08 UTC

Mercari is an extremely popular place for buying second-hand collectibles. That's made it the subject of controversy. The service is a primary outlet for resellers who buy up and scalp new releases of limited-edition goods at ridiculous prices.
https://unseen-japan.com/mercari-global-app-launch/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/358/910/629/558/950/original/941da201a5f7e200.png

2025-10-11 22:02:43 UTC

Takaichi Sanae may (or may not) be Japan's first female prime minister. Either way, her ascension isn't sitting well with Japanese feminists, who've taken to social media to christen her an "honorary man." Find out why below.
https://unseen-japan.com/takaichi-sanae-honorary-man-feminists/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/357/788/323/452/322/original/86757b2150eaacd0.png

2025-10-11 13:06:09 UTC

Are you a food fan? Do you love trying new restaurants, sampling local specialties, and broadening your culinary horizons? In that case, you should definitely get to know Inogashira Goro - particularly his favorite places to eat in Tokyo.
https://unseen-japan.com/kodoku-no-gurume-top-five-tokyo-spots/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/355/678/431/740/645/original/ab8a59e6d0af186f.png

2025-10-11 02:49:10 UTC

Wanna get your ramen on in Tokyo? From October 23rd to November 3rd, you can sample the best of this iconic dish from 26 different prefectures across Japan - including variations you've never heard of. More details on Tokyo Ramen Festa below:
https://unseen-japan.com/tokyo-ramen-festa-2025/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/353/252/421/253/847/original/071a65392ff051a0.png

2025-10-11 01:46:07 UTC

Unlike Iceland, Japan’s feminist gains later faced organized backlash. After the Basic Act for a Gender Equal Society was passed in 1999, conservative groups and politicians began targeting “gender free” education and local equality ordinances.
https://unseen-japan.com/iceland-japan-womens-rights-disparity/
#japan #unseenjapan #women #equality
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/353/004/485/858/807/original/926b649a5c8ce7d8.png

2025-10-10 23:47:55 UTC

Japan's most popular online marketplace is only available in a handful of other countries. That's all about to change. Mercari is slowly rolling out a worldwide app that will let anyone buy anything sold in Japan from anywhere.
https://unseen-japan.com/mercari-global-app-launch/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/352/539/724/979/278/original/9a86e14cdb6430f7.png

2025-10-10 13:15:19 UTC

To close the driver's license loophole, Japan revised its Road Traffic Act, with changes taking effect on the first of this month. All applicants, regardless of nationality, must now submit a copy of their residence certificate w/o exception.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-drivers-license-exchange-loophole-closed/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/350/052/174/417/671/original/260ef6d1be7d6194.png

2025-10-10 13:06:09 UTC

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Love what we do? Support more long-form content like this about Japan by contributing to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund:
https://buff.ly/2l9hIHQ

2025-10-10 13:06:08 UTC

Less than a century earlier, Japan had urged the poorer segments of its rural population to leave their homes for the shores of Brazil. In the 1980s, for the first time in decades, it remembered its millions of prodigal sons and daughters living there.
https://unseen-japan.com/japanese-brazilians-homecoming/
#japan #unseenjapan #history
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/350/016/165/752/341/original/d7552a990dd9340c.jpeg

2025-10-10 12:22:08 UTC

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Full-length videos on numerous in-depth topics related to Japanese history, intercultural meeting points, language, and media - on our YouTube channel! https://buff.ly/xzw5iiY

2025-10-10 12:22:07 UTC

We reached a nice milestone over on our YouTube channel - 1 million total views! Just in time, with a major video releasing in the coming days. If you haven't joined us yet, consider subbing for in-depth, full-length videos on JPN history, language, media, and more. Link below!
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/349/843/102/992/048/original/cf3f70353384649e.png

2025-10-09 13:06:08 UTC

As far as anyone can tell, "pien" as a word came into fashion among the JC (女子中学生; joshichuugakusei, middle schoolers) and JK (女子高校生; joshikoukousei, high schoolers) set around 2018. It took off in popularity around that time.
https://unseen-japan.com/pien-japanese-meaning-history-fashion/
#japan #unseenjapan #japanese
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/344/353/777/530/424/original/bc9f3c0aa2766174.png

2025-10-09 13:02:29 UTC

In 2009, Happy Science founded the Happiness Realization Party, blending “spiritual science” with outspoken nationalism and calls for rearmament of Japan. Founder Ōkawa Ryūhō became notorious for books he claimed to write by channeling historical figures.
https://unseen-japan.com/religion-politics-japan/
#japan #unseenjapan #politics #religion
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/344/339/416/724/224/original/08359da6cdec1f68.png

2025-10-09 12:35:06 UTC

With about 400 seats, the Shinjuku Moulin Rouge venue hosted witty satire, lyrical plays, and dazzling dance performances. It also produced stars such as Ashita Matsuko, often described as Japan's first idol.
https://buff.ly/PxZc2Zn
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/344/231/818/935/649/original/6cb39862a18929f9.png

2025-10-08 23:04:50 UTC

[Insider] Want to see something beyond Shibuya Scramble? The famed ward of Tokyo is so much more than its bustling heart and Harajuku. In our latest paid newsletter, we dive into some of the less-traveled areas a short walk away from the station.
https://unseen-japan.com/shibuya-unseen-hidden-spots/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tours
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/341/045/664/772/529/original/cc1c280705428328.jpeg

2025-10-08 13:06:07 UTC

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Talk about Japan travel and news with other UJ fans on our Discord server:
https://buff.ly/VVtyenm

2025-10-08 13:06:07 UTC

Wherever you go in Japan, there will certainly be plenty of onsens around. From Hokkaido to Okinawa, Japan is home to thousands of onsens, both natural and man-made. Here are some of the best to check out on your next trip.
https://unseen-japan.com/best-onsen-japan-travel-trip/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/338/691/406/897/660/original/8a8365094be19fdf.jpeg

2025-10-08 11:45:12 UTC

For some reason, the Osaka Expo is officially hawking its own NFT featuring a picture of mascot/eldritch horror Myaku-Myaku. The Expo is pitching the giveaway as a so-called "soul-bound token," a type of NFT that can never be digitally transferred.
https://buff.ly/foXmKqr
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/338/373/256/352/411/original/23e6b96b51dca51a.png

2025-10-07 22:11:32 UTC

Want a commemorative NFT of your trip to Japan? Yeah, we're betting no one else does, either! That isn't stopping multiple companies and government entities from promoting the now down-and-out Web3 tech as a solution to overtourism.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-tourist-nfts/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/335/173/778/530/941/original/36604fe191a83323.png

2025-10-07 13:06:10 UTC

Today in Japan, "mama" and "papa" for one's parents are now commonplace. But they were once so controversial that one legislator sought to have them banned. Here's the story of how Japan's native words lost out to their English counterparts.
https://unseen-japan.com/mama-papa-how-the-japanese-words-for-parents-lost-out-to-english/
#japan #unseenjapan #japanese
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2025-10-07 12:33:06 UTC

The Shinjuku Moulin Rouge thrived through the 1930s and 1950s, offering music, dance, and laughter even as air raids and censorship closed in. Destroyed in air raids in 1945, the theater rose from the ashes two years later.
https://unseen-japan.com/moulin-rouge-shinjuku-za-history/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/332/899/312/625/927/original/81f3b9ca5b22c87b.jpeg

2025-10-07 01:53:05 UTC

Japanese politician Moroi Masahide said, “Foreigners are legally in a different position from Japanese citizens,” and added that “foreigners lack fundamental human rights.” Saitama Prefecture's Governor Ōno immediately rejected the statement.
https://buff.ly/ENUNjhc
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2025-10-07 01:53:04 UTC

2025-10-06 22:19:27 UTC

Patterned after its namesake in France, Shinjuku's Moulin Rouge attempted to bring entertainment to Japan during wartime. To do so, it had to contend not only with air raids but with censorship by Imperial authorities.
https://unseen-japan.com/moulin-rouge-shinjuku-za-history/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/329/542/650/941/739/original/257f3f8f708fc122.jpeg

2025-10-06 13:00:54 UTC

Sanae Takaichi is a conservative and nationalist politician known for emphasizing “Japan First” policies. She frequently champions stricter immigration rules and tighter oversight of foreign visitors.
https://unseen-japan.com/takaichi-sanae-nara-deer-foreigners/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/327/346/325/479/237/original/6e15bd7860e4629d.jpeg

2025-10-06 11:30:21 UTC

ICYMI: Ryokan or hotel for your Japan trip? Many assume hotels are the more convenient option, while ryokan are more of a cultural experience. And while there’s some truth to that, the reality is a little more nuanced.
https://unseen-japan.com/ryokans-vs-hotels-japan-travel/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/326/990/248/022/149/original/31378df3994a68ef.png

2025-10-05 22:50:42 UTC

Moroi Masahide, a 56-year-old independent representative in Saitama Prefecture, recently declared that foreigners in Japan "have no fundamental human rights." He backtracked on the statement after being slammed by other politicians.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-lawmaker-foreigners-human-rights/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/324/003/003/556/474/original/aea64c174c773e6f.jpeg

2025-10-05 12:45:12 UTC

By asking their hotels to issue a Temporary Leave Permit, which certifies that the bearer resides at a given address in Japan, tourists were able to bypass the residency requirement and get Japanese driver's licenses.
https://buff.ly/k5ZHgVe
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2025-10-05 11:00:50 UTC

ICYMI: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Sento Association are promoting the unique appeal of public bathhouses (sento) to international visitors in a new campaign running through the end of February 2026.
https://unseen-japan.com/sento-tokyo-tourism-campaign/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/321/211/825/557/935/original/236184ef171275a0.png

2025-10-04 22:26:51 UTC

Japan is famous worldwide for its food. But in Kitakyushu, at the northern tip of Fukuoka Prefecture, udon isn’t just food — it’s comfort in a bowl. Now, one famous local chain is making itself felt in Tokyo and Japan's central Kanto region.
https://buff.ly/uCkRLY8
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2025-10-04 13:06:08 UTC

When most people think “Japanese food,” they probably think of sushi or ramen. But there’s so much more to Japanese cuisine. Here's why tourists increasingly have their eyes on the country’s vast number of variations on the incredible, edible egg.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-egg-cuisine-tourists-popular/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/316/042/226/707/165/original/5780b27e743a036b.png

2025-10-03 13:06:09 UTC

There's a pervasive myth that the Japanese language lacks swear words. It's true that Japanese doesn't have a codified list of socially egregious expletives à la English. Yet there does, in fact, exist a level of words beyond mere rudeness.
https://unseen-japan.com/kotobagari-japans-hunt-for-taboo-words/
#japan #unseenjapan #japanese
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/310/379/949/872/960/original/a4eef88cf6e4ad2b.png

2025-10-03 12:00:34 UTC

The “Nikoniko Lunch” was created as an allergy-friendly option, not for religious purposes. However, some people distorted this fact and spread false claims on social media, saying that Muslim-friendly lunches were now on the menu.
https://unseen-japan.com/kitakyushu-muslim-meals-hoax/
#japan #unseenjapan #news #religion
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/310/122/190/864/147/original/be8558c4a2a572f1.jpeg

2025-10-03 11:30:20 UTC

Through its political wing, the Shintō Association of Spiritual Leadership (SAS, or Shintō Seiji Renmei), Jinja Honchō lobbies for conservative causes such as constitutional revision, moral education, and support for Yasukuni Shrine.
https://buff.ly/rF8F1zZ
#japan #unseenjapan #politics #religion
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2025-10-02 23:36:01 UTC

Tourists to Japan used to be able to get a powerful souvenir: a Japanese driver's license. But that's all changed. The country has officially closed a loophole that let some travelers get a local license with nothing but a letter from their hotel.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-drivers-license-exchange-loophole-closed/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/307/194/495/507/943/original/5a13d5c5e8cecab2.jpeg

2025-10-02 21:00:30 UTC

ICYMI: The National Police Agency (NPA) is considering amendments to Japan’s Stalker Regulation Act. The proposed changes would enable officers to issue warnings to suspected stalkers without requiring victims to file requests first.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-stalking-crackdown/
#japan #unseenjapan #crime #women
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/306/582/943/992/789/original/40c8bfd578e7e38b.jpeg

2025-10-02 13:06:13 UTC

ICYMI: With its strict drug laws, it can be hard to get high in Japan. That leads some people to resort to any means necessary for a buzz. The latest dangerous trend is leading to calls for an outright ban on all vaping.
https://unseen-japan.com/zombie-cigarettes-japan-vaping-crackdown/
#japan #unseenjapan #drugs #health
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2025-10-02 12:30:17 UTC

ICYMI: Some in Japan choose to use karaoke booths to do the deed rather than spend the extra money on a couple of hours at a love hotel. The question is: why? And what happens if you're caught?
https://unseen-japan.com/karaoke-room-sex/
#japan #unseenjapan
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2025-10-01 20:00:44 UTC

ICYMI: Japanese place names can be notoriously difficult to read - even if you're a native speaker. Here are some of the most difficult as determined by various surveys across the years.
https://buff.ly/aT5wRk8
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2025-10-01 14:30:21 UTC

ICYMI: More municipalities across Japan plan to introduce lodging taxes on hotel and inn stays, a Kyodo News survey found. The poll, covering 1,723 municipalities nationwide, showed 92 in 32 prefectures are considering new levies.
https://unseen-japan.com/lodging-taxes-increase-japan/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/299/386/494/546/069/original/0d7cdc9a4a449fee.jpeg

2025-10-01 13:06:07 UTC

Yabusame takes years of practice to perfect, but it is a highly coveted art that emphasizes the samurai spirit and the unspoken language between rider and horse, known as kyuba no michi (弓馬の道) (きゅばのみち), or “the way of the bow and horse.”
https://unseen-japan.com/yabusame-japanese-horseback-archery/
#japan #unseenjapan #history #culture
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/299/055/245/080/027/original/5795c5f1f2b9baea.jpeg

2025-10-01 11:30:20 UTC

Onomichi is a port town where the Seto Inland Sea narrows into a channel that feels like a river cutting through the city. Wedged between the water and surrounding hills, its houses, temples, and stone-paved alleys form a view locals call a “miniature garden.”
https://buff.ly/iXzqIom
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2025-09-30 13:06:14 UTC

Did you come to Japan to admire the natural beauty, only to find yourself surrounded by ugly power lines? Why ARE Japanese skies so wiry, anyway? We take a look at how cable and power lines came to blanket the urban Japanese landscape.
https://buff.ly/LKOHT1Y
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/293/392/980/248/305/original/d9943d7b57f54dd5.png

2025-09-30 12:01:15 UTC

Not all visitors come to Kamakura for Slam Dunk. Many want photos of the retro green train passing in front of the glittering sea at sunset. Crowds spill into the road to capture the scene. Some even cross despite oncoming cars.
https://buff.ly/LCPT1Hl
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/293/137/820/532/942/original/415efbb698bb3d82.png

2025-09-30 12:00:20 UTC

Despite LDP politician Takaichi Sanae's claims, Nara Prefectural officials have not confirmed any recent cases of foreigners kicking deer. Daily patrols by park staff, Nara Deer Preservation Society members, and visitors have reported no direct assaults.
https://unseen-japan.com/takaichi-sanae-nara-deer-foreigners/
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/293/134/287/354/866/original/d492d5ba1498b78f.jpeg

2025-09-29 23:22:40 UTC

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Insider is our newsletter for our financial supporters who keep us viable as independent media. Members get a content article every week. You can subscribe here:
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2025-09-29 23:22:40 UTC

Just an FYI - we're busy with tours this week, so the next issues of the Unseen Japan Newsletter and UJ Insider are delayed. We'll be back at full strength next week! In the meantime, you can subscribe to the free Newsletter here:
https://unseen-japan.com/newsletter
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/290/155/023/115/866/original/8d68ed1d220095b1.jpeg

2025-09-29 23:00:36 UTC

Are foreigners mistreating the deer in Nara? Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politician Takaichi Sanae accused visitors of kicking the animals. When challenged, she insisted she had "personally confirmed" it. Nara Prefectural officials, however, refuted her.
https://buff.ly/XcjrEOd
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/290/068/204/931/502/original/7e82321b41b8703f.jpeg

2025-09-29 19:01:02 UTC

ICYMI: Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City have launched a targeted social media campaign aimed at foreign visitors. It echoes measures in other regions of Japan that are grappling with overtourism.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-tourism-manners-social-media/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/289/126/230/522/547/original/08a1c4c84f1071b0.png

2025-09-29 13:01:58 UTC

ICYMI: Are Chinese solar panels warming Japan? Do they pose an infrastructure threat to the country? The answer is simple - and complicated. Learn more in our post for our Insider subscribers. Not a member? Subscribe below.
https://unseen-japan.com/chinese-solar-panels-japan/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/287/714/251/135/908/original/4e2697732ca02f9b.png

2025-09-29 13:01:26 UTC

ICYMI: After several African news outlets misreported a pedestrian announcement, Japan’s right-wing sprang into action. The result? A protest in Tokyo where over a hundred clueless people openly expressed their Fear of a Black Japan.
https://unseen-japan.com/japan-africa-hometown-protests/
#japan #unseenjapan
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/287/712/245/109/134/original/c49502472df48aec.jpeg

2025-09-28 13:00:49 UTC

ICYMI: A new survey from a major Japanese marketing firm finds that Japan remains a top draw for repeat tourism. The country’s combini also remain as popular as ever – with an unexpected dish topping travelers’ list of must-try goods.
https://unseen-japan.com/combini-sushi-popularity/
#japan #unseenjapan #food #travel #tourism
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/282/047/488/599/930/original/c2aa0b3fd62d66ad.jpeg

2025-09-27 13:30:13 UTC

In 1964, Sōka Gakkai founded Kōmeitō as its political arm. The new party claimed to represent ordinary citizens, especially those outside Japan’s traditional elite. Over time, it became known for pacifism, social welfare, and education reform.
https://unseen-japan.com/religion-politics-japan/
#japan #unseenjapan #politics #religion
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/276/500/794/478/749/original/423aa129cf024672.png

2025-09-27 13:06:05 UTC

Dietary requirements. Personal tastes. General uncertainty. Restaurants can be a minefield of problems for some, especially when abroad. Here are some Japanese phrases and words you can use to navigate the experience on your next trip.
https://unseen-japan.com/dining-out-in-japan-useful-japanese/
#japan #unseenjapan #travel #japanese #food
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/276/405/920/261/189/original/4752dd1e1be90ee0.jpeg

2025-09-27 13:06:05 UTC

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Want more help? Ask Unseen Japan Tours to guide you around and help you create a safe, fun, one-of-a-kind Japan experience:
https://buff.ly/kJo138T

2025-09-27 12:00:15 UTC

The misinformation campaign alleged that an Afghan Muslim woman petitioned the city of Kitakyushu to provide school lunches for her elementary school child that excluded pork and pork extract, which are religiously prohibited.
https://unseen-japan.com/kitakyushu-muslim-meals-hoax/
#japan #unseenjapan #religion #islam
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/276/147/036/670/855/original/b26c054b616c39ac.jpeg

2025-09-27 00:43:46 UTC

Misinformation about school lunches for Muslim students has sparked a storm in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture. There, false claims of "Muslim-friendly meals" triggered more than 1,000 complaints and disrupted city operations.
https://unseen-japan.com/kitakyushu-muslim-meals-hoax/
#japan #unseenjapan #islam #religion
https://img.mstdn.jp/media_attachments/files/115/273/486/970/461/508/original/5a8b6c3a6f604ea9.jpeg