Verdict handed down in multi-year fight between facial hair and Municipal Transportation Bureau.
beards
Fans of the hit anime Attack on Titan may also know it by its original Japanese title, Shingeki no Kyojin, which literally translates to “Advancing Giants.”
Giants aren’t the only thing advancing upon us, though, because now there’s an unusual advertising campaign announcing the arrival of Shingeki no Bijin, or Advancing Beauties, and the war we’re fighting is the war on body hair.
Live overseas for long enough, and you’ll start to experience reverse culture shock on your visits home. On my last trip back to L.A., I was surprised to see how popular beards have gotten in the States, and judging from the foreign travelers I see here in Japan, they’re just as trendy throughout western Europe.
As someone whose Arabic ancestry means every day is a battle against a phalanx of facial hair, I have to say I can see an upside to this new golden era for beards. But, as with any decision a man makes, it’s important to first ask yourself that critical question, “Will this make women think I look cool?” To help answer that question, today we’re looking at the results of a survey asking Japanese women whether or not they like a guy with a beard.



Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Yakuza-themed love hotel rooms! Great for couples, friends, and business meetings, owners say
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Cherry blossoms blooming on new sakura Air Jordans from Nike【Photos】
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Aliens attend baseball game, thrown out, never heard from again
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】