The decision to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo has been met with much excitement from the majority of Japan. The news spread quickly between citizens of the island nation, and Japan’s Stock Exchange flourished in the wake of the announcement. However, the underbelly of Japan’s urban life might not be so happy with the news. In the days leading up to international events such as these, law makers and enforcement officials have a tendency to crack down on some of the morally ambiguous crimes that they would normally turn a blind eye towards. For example, around the time of the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted in Japan and Korea, metropolitan areas saw some high-level crackdown on brothels and other sex-selling establishments.
If we anticipate the same sort of rally to clean up the streets in the years leading up to 2020, then modern red-light districts, like Yoshiwara and Kabukicho in Shinjuku, had better buckle down for some legal disruption. These regions, often referred to as “soap streets” are presumably on the brink of a massive clean-up. And yet, it appears that the famous electronics district and otaku haven, Akihabara, may be the first to suffer a heavy blow in spite the decidedly 2-D nature of its choice adult entertainment. Read More
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Instant bear curry from the northeastern mountains of Japan【Taste test】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Beef bowl king Yoshinoya to start serving ramen this summer with new beefy mazesoba
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Cosplay as a sexy soldier with new military uniform leotards from Japan
Yoshinoya sells frozen beef bowl topping packs, but are they as good as the restaurant kind?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Is that restaurant in Tokyo with the giant mecha crab sign any good?
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Cosplay as a sexy soldier with new military uniform leotards from Japan
Yoshinoya sells frozen beef bowl topping packs, but are they as good as the restaurant kind?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Is that restaurant in Tokyo with the giant mecha crab sign any good?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japan’s schoolgirl roomwear outfits are ready for winter with new, extra-warm versions
10 badass four-character phrases to add to your Japanese language toolkit
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
We try it out: Does Uniqlo’s HeatTech Ultra Warm work on a motorbike ride in the dead of winter?
We try roasted horseshoe crab in Thailand, regret our choice yet strangely long for more
Korean fashion trend reveals significance of wearing rings on different fingers