fear
It’s almost summer and that means a lot of stuff in Japan—Golden Week, brain melting humidity, Obon, and of course, horror movies and haunted houses. While many people in the west binge on horror flicks and spooky attractions as Halloween nears, Japanese people tend to get their fright on during the summer months.
We recently caught up with Margee Kerr, a sociologist who studies fear and helps the world famous ScareHouse terrify their patrons—in a good way of course! Margee was in Japan studying how fear works across different cultures and we were excited to learn about the similarities and differences in the reactions between Japan and America to horror. Check out our interview with a true master of fear at one of Tokyo’s scariest bars: Yurei Izakaya in Kichijoji!
There’s a lot of talk about omega-3 fatty acids and their controversial health benefits ranging from cancer to joint pain and even mental disorders. And now it looks as if a team led by Masayuki Sekiguchi at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Tokyo have found another thing omega-3 possibly cures: lingering fear.



Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Same character, different animator – Fans compile comparison charts for anime’s biggest stars
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Beautiful hotel on Japan’s northern island has frozen rooms, ice outdoor bath【Photos】
We visit super popular tuna specialty joint Izakaya Hitoshi on Okinawa’s Ishigaki Island
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Beautiful hotel on Japan’s northern island has frozen rooms, ice outdoor bath【Photos】
We visit super popular tuna specialty joint Izakaya Hitoshi on Okinawa’s Ishigaki Island
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
How to make an epic pizza at a Japanese family restaurant
Tokyo’s new Square Enix Cafe is open, and we just stuffed our faces at the video game eatery
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Enjoy the sweet taste of autumn with the help of Kirby and pals
Glow-in-the-dark Ghibli Kodama figures will give your home a mystical forest mood【Photos】
Starbucks Japan’s new limited-edition Frappuccino tastes great, is good for the planet
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
23 flavors, five top recommendations for the wide world of Kikkoman soy milk【Taste test】