deafness
From the downright obvious to the surprising yet amusing, Japanese Sign Language has it all.
Tokyo Legoland Discovery Center bricked themselves into an uncomfortable corner when it comes to disability rights, and has issued a formal apology.
It was Saturday, October 3 when a hearing-impaired woman and her service dog, a hearing dog for the deaf, attended an event promoting the awareness of service dogs at the Hankyu department store at Hankyu-Umeda Station in Osaka. After the event, the unnamed woman, her dog, and a friend went for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants located inside the same department store on the same floor as the event. Ironically enough, and much to the surprise of the woman, a member of staff stopped her from entering the restaurant, stating that animals were not allowed inside.
The woman’s friend pulled out a guidebook about hearing dogs for the deaf, trying to explain that the dog wasn’t a pet but an animal trained to assist its owner. The staff still refused, however, and the pair finally gave up and went elsewhere, thinking that it must have just been an unfortunate misunderstanding. Perhaps this was just one uninformed staff member who didn’t realize service animals are actually allowed in public places, they thought.
But even at the next restaurant they were turned away yet again…
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Flying Totoro appears in new Studio Ghibli x Foxfire collection
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Weekly
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
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】- Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Monthly
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
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- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Yearly
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Flying Totoro appears in new Studio Ghibli x Foxfire collection
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Japanese curry chain becomes a hot topic with foreigners on Reddit, but is it any good?
Best practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
Passing the JLPT N1 — Here’s how I did it, so you can too!
Private teleworking booths–how much work can you get done in one? We test it out
-
