Japan’s New Tax-Free Rules Will Give Shoppers Less Money Back
Japan's new tax-free shopping rules start November, leaving handling to private operators and leaving tourists with less than a full refund.
Unseen Japan
News, culture, travel, and tours in Japan
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Why You Still Need Cash in Japan: A Cautionary Tale
You just finished your meal at a Japanese restaurant. Then you realize the store only takes cash. Don't panic - here's what to do next.
Perfume in Japan: Why Less Is More, and Where to Wear None at All
Will your perfume cause problems? Here's what to know about what to wear (and when not to wear anything) while traveling in Japan.
Japan’s Extreme Heat is Killing Off Its Cultural Traditions One by One
As Japan gets hotter, age-old cultural rituals such as radio calisthenics, going to the beach, and even Obon dances are suffering.
Why Does Japan Have So Many Last Names Compared to China and Korea?
Why does Japan have hundreds of thousands of surnames while China and Korea rely on a handful? The answer lies in a Meiji-era law.
Ōsawa Takamasa’s Tokyo Restaurant Only Serves Biryani. It’s Earned Him Michelin Praise
Inside Biriyani Osawa: a tiny, reservation-only Tokyo spot serving one pot of biryani per seating, praised in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026.
Japan Is Building a Separate Transport Network for Tourists’ Luggage
A new hands-free travel service is part of Japan's latest effort to separate the flow of people from property.
A Japanese Soapland Fired Her. So She Turned Them In to the Cops
A soapland allegedly fired a worker after she was sent home with a fever. Here's the story of how she got her revenge.
The Museum of Roadside Art: Inside The Tokyo Museum Where Sex and Kitsch Collide
Inside Tokyo's Museum of Roadside Art, a Japanese photojournalist's mission to save erotic art others consider too "lowbrow" to preserve.
The Tokyo Neighborhoods With Japan’s Most Acclaimed Restaurants, According to Its Harshest Reviewers
Which Tokyo neighborhoods really have the best food? Tabelog scores from 794 restaurants reveal surprising winners and losers across the city.