• Sat. Mar 29th, 2025

Japan Subculture Research Center

A guide to the Japanese underworld, Japanese pop-culture, yakuza and everything dark under the sun.

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A Second of Satori: Sunset in Nara

Note: Now and then at JSRC, we come across a whimsical or interesting post about Japan that captures some of the quirkiness or beauty of this place. This is from @tomoshiga…

Saying Goodbye To Japan

I count this as one of my teaching successes. One of my Japanese students is a budding illustrator, and one of her characters is Gachico. Last year when she started…

Autumn Equinox (秋分の日): Honor your ancestors, remember the departed

While Shubun no Hi symbolizes the transition of summer into fall, the day also marks a time when Japanese people pay respects to their ancestors.

Hello Kitty isn’t a cat?

A recent revelation that Hello Kitty isn't a cat has left people, including ourselves, scratching their heads.

“Karaoke Man”: An Ode For the Expat In Japan Reeling From Ennui

And the hostess is practicing pouring green tea As the businessmen get drunk real slow Yes they're sharing a drink they call loneliness But it's better than drinking Jinro

Scary Tales From Japan’s Marriage Graveyard: My Wife Divorced Me Over “Frozen”

A husband's lack of interested in the Disney movie "Frozen" was the icing on the cake that triggered his wife's demand for a divorce.

No Spitting On The Train…Staff or Conductor. Japan Commuter Etiquette #1

Don't spit on station workers. They're human, too. JR Railways releases a series of hilarious posters warning passengers to be nice to railway staff.

A Benediction For The Bereaved

May the frightened cease to be afraid And those bound be freed. May the powerless find power And may people think of benefiting each other.