Unseen Japan

One of Okinawa’s biggest selling points is its image as a beach destination: aquamarine oceans, picturesque islands, and unforgettable sights. However, the prefecture is now seeing a troubling side effect of its tourism boom: a sharp rise in foreign travelers falling...

You may have heard the myth that it is impossible to receive ADHD medicine in Japan, especially if it is a stimulant. That’s untrue. Both stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications are available in Japan (though Adderall is banned).

Unfortunately, since September 2024, it’s been even harder for people to access their medicine due to a disruption in the supply, as...

Uber is finally making a deeper move into Japan – but not in the way many expected. In a new partnership with Sony Group-owned taxi app S.Ride, the company is launching a service that lets foreign visitors use their existing Uber app to hail S.Ride taxis in Japan.

The twist? This service is for tourists only. Japanese residents, who can already use the S.Ride app di...

Just south of Kyoto city lies the home of green tea and the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin: Uji. Located less than 30 minutes away, the matcha capital is a convenient escape from heavier crowds in Gion and Arashiyama. For many visitors, it’s a brief stop – a place to sip tea, see one of Japan’s most iconic temples, and return to the city.

But Uji has far more to offer than...

Publisher’s note: Part of this article is paywalled. I get pushback from paywalling articles on topics such as this, as our readers say that it’s important for English consumers of Japanese news to understand how people in Japan are fighting against discrimination. I agree. That’s why, unlike other publishers that paywall everything, UJ only locks a singl...