Unseen Japan
@unseenjapan.com
The Japan you don't learn about in anime. News and social issues from Japan. Visiting Japan soon? Check out our tours service!
https://unseenjapan.start.page/
https://unseenjapan.start.page/
File under "ACAB Everywhere": Police in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, have filed charges against a 49yo sergeant in a road rage incident in which the officer not only drove recklessly but ARRESTED the VICTIM for "attacking" him after the two argued on the side of the road.
January 16, 2026 at 10:21 PM
File under "ACAB Everywhere": Police in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, have filed charges against a 49yo sergeant in a road rage incident in which the officer not only drove recklessly but ARRESTED the VICTIM for "attacking" him after the two argued on the side of the road.
Get more of Unseen Japan - join Insider today and get a bonus, in-depth article every week, access to our entire Insider back catalog, and "ask us anything" access to our Japan travel and culture experts. Check out our back catalog and subscribe below:
buff.ly/qYVJEBJ
buff.ly/qYVJEBJ
January 16, 2026 at 5:37 AM
Get more of Unseen Japan - join Insider today and get a bonus, in-depth article every week, access to our entire Insider back catalog, and "ask us anything" access to our Japan travel and culture experts. Check out our back catalog and subscribe below:
buff.ly/qYVJEBJ
buff.ly/qYVJEBJ
The JR Yamanote Line, a critical transit loop in Tokyo, and the Keihin-Tōhoku Line have been stopped since this am due to an electrical outage. Service won't be restored until 1pm, according to JR East. Here's how Ueno Station looked around 8:30am. "Ueno chaos," wrote OP.
January 16, 2026 at 2:18 AM
The JR Yamanote Line, a critical transit loop in Tokyo, and the Keihin-Tōhoku Line have been stopped since this am due to an electrical outage. Service won't be restored until 1pm, according to JR East. Here's how Ueno Station looked around 8:30am. "Ueno chaos," wrote OP.
Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato are two confections often pitted against one another. This month, however, they get to live in harmony. On Jan 21st, McDonald's Japan is releasing its limited-edition McFlurry, combining the two chocolate snacks into a single treat.
January 15, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato are two confections often pitted against one another. This month, however, they get to live in harmony. On Jan 21st, McDonald's Japan is releasing its limited-edition McFlurry, combining the two chocolate snacks into a single treat.
See, everyone who's ever lived in Japan or even just visited here for a week knows that Mamdani's cause is moral and righteous
January 15, 2026 at 6:36 AM
See, everyone who's ever lived in Japan or even just visited here for a week knows that Mamdani's cause is moral and righteous
Japanese politics continues to be WILD, y'all. The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and Kōmeitō, previously a staunch ally of the ruling LDP, have announced they will merge to form a new party ahead of February's Lower House election, named 中道改革 (Centrist Reform Party).
January 15, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Japanese politics continues to be WILD, y'all. The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and Kōmeitō, previously a staunch ally of the ruling LDP, have announced they will merge to form a new party ahead of February's Lower House election, named 中道改革 (Centrist Reform Party).
This vid is making the rounds on social media in Japan as an example of raw sexism. Old dude blows off and back-talks a female cop who tells him to walk his bike during pedestrian mall hours in Shibuya’s Dōgenzaka. The minute a male cop tells him to do the same, he complies.
January 15, 2026 at 12:50 AM
This vid is making the rounds on social media in Japan as an example of raw sexism. Old dude blows off and back-talks a female cop who tells him to walk his bike during pedestrian mall hours in Shibuya’s Dōgenzaka. The minute a male cop tells him to do the same, he complies.
An insight into how social media is rotting people's brains: In new NHK polling, only 8% of Japanese voters on average think "policies concerning foreigners" (green) was a top gov concern. That number hits a whopping 17% among voters aged 18 to 39.
January 14, 2026 at 8:48 PM
An insight into how social media is rotting people's brains: In new NHK polling, only 8% of Japanese voters on average think "policies concerning foreigners" (green) was a top gov concern. That number hits a whopping 17% among voters aged 18 to 39.
All four of the great post towns at the gates of Edo (Naito Shinjuku, Itabashi, Senju, and Shinagawa) steadily evolved into party towns, even attracting denizens within Edo to make day trips beyond the city’s gates for drinks and debauchery.
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
All four of the great post towns at the gates of Edo (Naito Shinjuku, Itabashi, Senju, and Shinagawa) steadily evolved into party towns, even attracting denizens within Edo to make day trips beyond the city’s gates for drinks and debauchery.
"I stumbled across the National Corporate List, which lets you see companies that have previously violated labor standards. It's also shown as a map, but Japan's totally blacked out lol"
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 PM
"I stumbled across the National Corporate List, which lets you see companies that have previously violated labor standards. It's also shown as a map, but Japan's totally blacked out lol"
Confused about getting around Tokyo, Osaka, or other Japanese cities? It can be a lot for first-time visitors to navigate. Let Unseen Japan Tours help show you around, get you accustomed to the transit systems, and introduce you to places you're unlikely to find on your own.
buff.ly/By0KCEv
buff.ly/By0KCEv
January 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Confused about getting around Tokyo, Osaka, or other Japanese cities? It can be a lot for first-time visitors to navigate. Let Unseen Japan Tours help show you around, get you accustomed to the transit systems, and introduce you to places you're unlikely to find on your own.
buff.ly/By0KCEv
buff.ly/By0KCEv
Rather than being heaped on a plate, wanko soba is served in bite-sized portions in small bowls. Restaurants will serve a number of these bowls at a time. When you’ve finished your first set, you can ask for more.
buff.ly/iGXDdZC
buff.ly/iGXDdZC
January 13, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Rather than being heaped on a plate, wanko soba is served in bite-sized portions in small bowls. Restaurants will serve a number of these bowls at a time. When you’ve finished your first set, you can ask for more.
buff.ly/iGXDdZC
buff.ly/iGXDdZC
For the first hundred years during which the Tokugawa shoguns ruled Japan from their capital of Edo, the area that is now Shinjuku was known as Naito-machi — a mere collection of villages and farmland along the final stretches of the Koshu Kaido road.
January 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM
For the first hundred years during which the Tokugawa shoguns ruled Japan from their capital of Edo, the area that is now Shinjuku was known as Naito-machi — a mere collection of villages and farmland along the final stretches of the Koshu Kaido road.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will skip a sumo award ceremony where the PM traditionally hands out prizes to champions. The dodge seems aimed at avoiding a challenge to Edo-era rules that prevent women from entering a sumo ring.
January 13, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will skip a sumo award ceremony where the PM traditionally hands out prizes to champions. The dodge seems aimed at avoiding a challenge to Edo-era rules that prevent women from entering a sumo ring.
Japan is set for a rare five-day work break in September. For the first time in 11 years, Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day fall on Monday & Wednesday, respectively. Japan's "Othello Holiday" law means the intervening Tuesday is automatically a holiday.
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Japan is set for a rare five-day work break in September. For the first time in 11 years, Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day fall on Monday & Wednesday, respectively. Japan's "Othello Holiday" law means the intervening Tuesday is automatically a holiday.
We wrote a bit ago about Ogawa Akira, the mayor of Maebashi, Gunma, who resigned after repeatedly meeting a city employee at a love hotel. Ogawa stood for re-election - and won amidst elevated turnout, defeating four other candidates.
January 12, 2026 at 7:47 PM
We wrote a bit ago about Ogawa Akira, the mayor of Maebashi, Gunma, who resigned after repeatedly meeting a city employee at a love hotel. Ogawa stood for re-election - and won amidst elevated turnout, defeating four other candidates.
Hmmm...it's like these monetized accounts just repeat the same old drivel about Japan, exploiting people's lack of familiarity with Japanese culture for a quick buck. I wonder if we can learn anything about how we engage with social media from this 🧐
January 12, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Hmmm...it's like these monetized accounts just repeat the same old drivel about Japan, exploiting people's lack of familiarity with Japanese culture for a quick buck. I wonder if we can learn anything about how we engage with social media from this 🧐
"Japan is living in 2060" and it's just a change reader, I can't with you people anymore istg.
What makes this even more funny is that there are STILL tons of vending machines here that don't accept the new bills that were released TWO YEARS ago (I ran into one yesterday!).
What makes this even more funny is that there are STILL tons of vending machines here that don't accept the new bills that were released TWO YEARS ago (I ran into one yesterday!).
January 11, 2026 at 8:52 PM
"Japan is living in 2060" and it's just a change reader, I can't with you people anymore istg.
What makes this even more funny is that there are STILL tons of vending machines here that don't accept the new bills that were released TWO YEARS ago (I ran into one yesterday!).
What makes this even more funny is that there are STILL tons of vending machines here that don't accept the new bills that were released TWO YEARS ago (I ran into one yesterday!).
Police in Hokkaido's Hidaka arrested 49yo Matsukura Toshihiko (not a foreigner) after discovering the body of a dead woman in her 20s in the walls of his restaurant. Customers tell police that Matsukura seemed "sullen" in recent days & had four or five air purifiers running.
January 11, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Police in Hokkaido's Hidaka arrested 49yo Matsukura Toshihiko (not a foreigner) after discovering the body of a dead woman in her 20s in the walls of his restaurant. Customers tell police that Matsukura seemed "sullen" in recent days & had four or five air purifiers running.
1,200 demonstrators came out in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, to denounce the right-wing hate campaign aimed at the city's local Kurdish population. Demonstrators walked 5km from West Kawaguchi Station, chanting "Stop hate" and "Live in harmony."
January 11, 2026 at 8:25 PM
1,200 demonstrators came out in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, to denounce the right-wing hate campaign aimed at the city's local Kurdish population. Demonstrators walked 5km from West Kawaguchi Station, chanting "Stop hate" and "Live in harmony."
Starting on the 15th, JR East will wrap its Yamanote line with an anti-groping message. One X user wonders why these messages always feature cute anime girls & instead suggests replacing them with the mugshots & personal information of assailants.
January 11, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Starting on the 15th, JR East will wrap its Yamanote line with an anti-groping message. One X user wonders why these messages always feature cute anime girls & instead suggests replacing them with the mugshots & personal information of assailants.
The Kyoto store for Ramen Jirō in Japan is urging customers not to eat until they vomit. Leaving food uneaten at restaurants is considered wasteful in Japan, but Jirō's portions are huge, & the store says that puking causes more harm than leaving a little food behind.
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 AM
The Kyoto store for Ramen Jirō in Japan is urging customers not to eat until they vomit. Leaving food uneaten at restaurants is considered wasteful in Japan, but Jirō's portions are huge, & the store says that puking causes more harm than leaving a little food behind.
There's a bypass entrance in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, that ends in a loopback if you miss the bypass turnoff. But instead of calling the road a "dead end" in English, it simply says "The End." This is currently amusing pretty much everyone on Japanese social media.
January 10, 2026 at 9:59 PM
There's a bypass entrance in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, that ends in a loopback if you miss the bypass turnoff. But instead of calling the road a "dead end" in English, it simply says "The End." This is currently amusing pretty much everyone on Japanese social media.
Join our community - talk about Japan news, culture, the Japanese language, and travel with like-minded readers on the UJ Discord.
buff.ly/cHeiQQk
buff.ly/cHeiQQk
January 9, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Join our community - talk about Japan news, culture, the Japanese language, and travel with like-minded readers on the UJ Discord.
buff.ly/cHeiQQk
buff.ly/cHeiQQk
You can get the first issue(s) of tons of titles on CmoA for free. Heck, you can pull up the first issue of Chainsaw Man free of charge right now without even creating an account
January 8, 2026 at 10:28 PM
You can get the first issue(s) of tons of titles on CmoA for free. Heck, you can pull up the first issue of Chainsaw Man free of charge right now without even creating an account