Unseen Japan

Where can you see the most astounding cherry blossoms in Japan? Here are a few festivals you might not otherwise have considered. #Japan #Travel https://lnkd.in/g4A2tgHE

Where can you see the most astounding cherry blossoms in Japan? Here are a few festivals you might not otherwise have considered. #Japan #Travel https://lnkd.in/g4A2tgHE

Review: Kitano "Beat" Takeshi just had a new film premier globally on Amazon Prime. At a glance, Kitano’s "Broken Rage" looks much like his latter-period yakuza Outrage trilogy – But it turns out the film is something more enjoyably off-kilter.

What better destination could there be for Vtuber fans than Tokyo? With March comes the Hololive Super Expo, an industry event bound to draw Holofans from around the world. Here's some ideas for what to do around Japan's capital while in town, from Vtuber bars, pop-ups, shopping, and more.

To beef up credit card security, Japan in March will end the "PIN bypass" system, which has allowed forgetful residents to sign for purchases over 10K yen. But don't worry, US travelers - you can still make signature-based purchases here with your terribly insecure cards. https://buff.ly/4h8ShuY

The Board of Education in Saitama City, Japan has apologized for expelling a Kurdish sixth-year elementary student after her parents lost their immigration status. Japan's government says the decision contradicts its guidance to keep students in school while parents appeal. https://buff.ly/4awuqTw

35-year-old Takahashi Motoki probably thought he hit a nice payday when he snatched a bag from a man in Kabukicho with 850K yen (USD $5,444) in cash. The bag had something else, though: the victim's AirPods. Cops used location tracking to arrest the thief. https://buff.ly/40uj0Lo

Ito Shiori's BLACK BOX DIARIES, her film about her struggle for justice after her sexual assault, has earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary. She's the first Japanese director ever to earn a nomination in the category. The film has yet to release in Japan. https://buff.ly/4h9n5vp

Booking a hotel for Japan travel? Expect a bit of a sticker shock: the average room rate nationwide just broke a record previously set in 1997. Industry experts say tourist demand + the weak yen are driving up prices. https://buff.ly/4h6bWvC

There have been zero female professional shogi (Japanese chess) players in the country's regular league since its inception in 1924. This week, pro women's player Nishiyama Tomoka came close to breaking down that 100-year-old wall. Sadly, it was not to be. https://buff.ly/4ho3FU1