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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 9h

[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.

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[Insider] Exploring The Unseen Side of Downtown Shibuya - Unseen Japan

Want to see something beyond Shibuya Scramble? Here's a guide to some of the chiller places outside of the city's beating heart.

unseen-japan.com

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 3h

Part of a massive mall complex that replaced the only remaining green space in the Shibuya Station area, with most visitors unaware that a real-deal, actual Showa-era yokocho is right down the pathway. Yeah, gonna say the association between the "Faux-kocho" and Airbnb is just a little on the nose.

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 3h

There's something about Airbnb using an (admittedly well-made) bit of art depicting, of all things, the "Shibuya Yokocho" in Miyashita Park as their representational image of Tokyo. A corporate bit of faux-Showa nostalgia that apes real yokochos, with among the more mediocre kitchens in the region.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian @riversidewings.bsky.social · 1d

Years ago, a subscription drive was what resulted in my epic livetweet of Clavell's "Shogun." Now, I'm doing it again. 100 subs (12 more than what I have now) at buff.ly/R3YnYhq and I will livepost my read of Christopher Nicole's "Lord of the Golden Fan," which was Shogun before Shogun.

Lord of the Golden Fan by Christopher Nicole

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Emily @suika.bsky.social · 1d

According to Gearoid Reidy, Kishida is a "center-left figure"??

Expect to read a lot about Nippon Kaigi, a conservative advocacy group of which she is a member that some like to portray as a sinister secret organization pulling the strings of Japanese power. But it counts hundreds of lawmakers, including center-left figures such as former leader Fumio Kishida, among its ranks.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

MrGrimmace (Jason Hintz) @mrgrimmace.bsky.social · 4d

My mother, who is Japanese, has no problem with young children calling their parents “mama” and “papa,” but finds it cringy and childish when adults continue to call their parents “mama” and “papa.”

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 4d

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.

Mama, Papa: How the Japanese Words for Parents Lost Out to English - Unseen Japan

"Mama" and "papa" are such ubiquitous terms in Japan that it's easy to forget they're foreign words - words the government once tried to ban.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 6d

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.

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Kotobagari: Japan's Hunt for Taboo Words - Unseen Japan

It's often said that there are no swear words in Japanese. But while profanities may be rare, taboos - and banned words - abound.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 5d

The witching season is upon us, and Halloween fast approaches. In the mood to enter the eerie world of Japanese horror in anticipation? Look no further than these five classic films, all by masters of their craft: youtu.be/MRXcaLcfV2A

Five Japanese Horror Films for a Haunted Halloween

YouTube video by Unseen Japan

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 13d

I clearly don’t because I’ve already bought this one lol

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 14d

Such is the way with our beloved frenchies

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 14d

Hiroshima is a popular travel destination. Yet many people don't go far beyond the Peace Memorial Museum and Miyajima. Let our author, whose family hails from the region, fill you in on what you're missing (and where to go to avoid the crowds).

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Hiroshima’s Hidden Gems: Avoid The Crowds at These Unique Sights - Unseen Japan

Discover hidden Hiroshima gems beyond Peace Park and Miyajima, from ramen towns and sake alleys to rabbit islands and baseball games.

unseen-japan.com

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Jasper Sharp @jaspersharp.bsky.social · 15d

“In every industry, AI is being used to replace all the creative things that bring us joy instead of the boring, tedious tasks we hate doing,” she says.

Aaron Gerow @dengerow.bsky.social · 15d

No, we don't need AI translated subtitles.

‘Tentacles squelching wetly’: the human subtitle writers under threat from AI

Artificial intelligence is making steady advances into subtitling but, say its practitioners, it’s a vital service that needs a human.

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

‘Tentacles squelching wetly’: the human subtitle writers under threat from AI

Artificial intelligence is making steady advances into subtitling but, say its practitioners, it’s a vital service that needs a human to make it work

www.theguardian.com

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 15d

Yui made an apple pie for Rosh Hashanah - real Jewish-American new year here in Japan! 😆🍎

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Jay Allen @gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social · 16d

The funny thing about the Rapture coming while living in Japan is that the country is <1% Christian, so no one will even notice

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 16d

I was thinking this exact thing lol

Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 17d

It’s… it’s actually comfortably cool out? In Tokyo? What is this witchcraft!

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 18d

Friends & authorities in Makkari, Hokkaido were looking for an 87yo man who went missing while foraging for mushrooms. While Fuji News was interviewing his friends, the man emerged from the woods: "Hey guys, sorry."

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Friend describes where man entered the woods

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 19d

It's more important than ever in this climate of increasing censorship to support independent media. Some great recs below

onion person @junlper.beer · 19d

i've subscribed to:
rolling stone
WIRED
404 media
defector
the handbasket

chicago journalism i subscribed to:
unraveled
block club

it's time to support media directly so they don't fall into the hands of fascists, the replies to this post have additional great news media i recommend supporting

onion person @junlper.beer · 21d

it looks like the only way to have honest media is directly support them. i currently subscribe to WIRED and rolling stone, and about to subscribe to 404 media. any other WOKE and antifa media orgs i should support?

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 19d

He’s known as one of Japan’s most prolific and important writers. Now, thanks to BookTok, anime, and the newly released translation of his short stories, Dazai Osamu is laying bare his soul once again for a new global audience.

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Dazai Osamu Wants Us To Feel Less Alone - Unseen Japan

A new collection of the Japanese author's short stories in English comes as he enjoys a resurgence thanks to BookTok and anime.

unseen-japan.com

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 21d

Despite its very 70s vibes, international settings, and jazzy music, Lupin often features deep Japanese cultural pulls. Transposing the action to late 16th-century Japan works more easily than you might imagine.

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The Lupin cast in their usual anime form in an advertisement for the Minami-za production of Rupan Sansei.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social · 22d

Someone recently asked me what’s the weirdest #torii I’ve seen outside of Japan. I’m always hesitant to answer bc they often cannot compete (respectfully) with the weirdness of torii found INSIDE Japan! Case in point: Kitakata Ramen Museum and Ramen Shrine in Fukushima prefecture. ⛩️🍜

Photo of a torii gate with two chopstick shaped horizontal beams.

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 23d

Nice! Very glad you’re be able to see it. Really blew me away.

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 23d

The beloved and long-lived Lupin III anime series has an excellent kabuki adaptation running at the Minami-za in Kyoto. Read our new review to learn more!
unseen-japan.com/we-saw-the-l...

We Saw the Lupin III Kabuki, and So Should You! - Unseen Japan

The beloved and long-lived Lupin III anime series has an excellent kabuki adaptation running at the Minami-za in Kyoto. Read our review to learn more!

unseen-japan.com

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Noah Oskow @noahoskow.bsky.social · 25d

There’s one great thing about the Kabukicho Tower - the Shinjuku 109 Premium Theater with sound designed by Sakamoto Ryuichi. Relaxed lounges with great views too. The rest, though? I’ve used it as an example as to how /not/ to portray Japan.

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 26d

Kabukicho Tower is plastic, gaudy, and largely a bust as a tourist attraction. But none of that matters to its owner. We examine how the building still generates revenue - and why its mere existence may benefit Japan's right wing - in our latest subscriber-only article.

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[Insider] Plastic Japan: Why Kabukicho Tower Is Empty - But Still Makes Money - Unseen Japan

Kabukicho Tower is plastic, gaudy, and largely a bust as a tourist attraction. But none of that matters to its owner.

unseen-japan.com

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Reposted by Noah Oskow

Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 26d

Sorry for the relative silence this week, folks. It's been a case of "life happens" for pretty much every one of our writers. We have a backlog of content that's coming in now and we will be posting over the next week (including this week's Insider newsletter), so stay tuned!

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