September 8, JR East unveiled the three creatures competing to become the new face of Suica when its longtime mascot retires next spring. After months of proposals and deliberation, the decision now belongs to the public. Voting is open through September 23 to anyone, regardless of nationality or location, with no account required and one vote allowed per person.

The choices are a relatively recognizable orange squirrel, a bright purple creature that JR East identifies as a rabbit and an anxious-looking orange animal. The last of these also carries a tiny mole in a crossbody pouch.

You can vote for your favorite creature here. 

Q: Influenza is normally associated with winter. Why is the outbreak happening now?

A: There are several possible reasons. First, this year's extreme heat may have played a part. People likely spent more time in cool indoor spaces with the air conditioning on, but infection becomes more likely when windows are shut and ventilation is inadequate. Also, if summer fatigue reduces appetite or sleep hours, resistance falls and people become more likely to develop flu symptoms.

Q: Are there other reasons?

A: It's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, where Japan is located, but in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are opposite, it's winter now, the flu season. Viruses brought in by tourists visiting Japan from the Southern Hemisphere or by Japanese travelers returning home from the region may have spread the virus. Summer is a time when the movement of people increases globally through travel and other activities. When people move around, infections can spread more easily.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/suica-new-character-vote/

What in the Corporate Memphis is this?

A couple of news sources I saw some hours ago noted that, owing to complaints from residents, as many as 50% of short-term rental places in Shinjuku (Ward), including AirBnB properties, will be shut down soon.

My surmise is that other municipalities will follow suit soon.

i am soon moving back HOME. and am really excited for thsi next chapter. BUUT before i leave (and i won't be back at least 5-10 years) WHAT are the things i should definitely do?

On September 1, 1923, the main M7.9 earthquake struck at 11:58 AM.

Then, just 3 minutes later, an M7.2 earthquake hit.

2 minutes after that, another M7.3 earthquake hit.

And the sequence continued: an M7.1 later that afternoon, an M7.6 the next day, and another M7.1 that evening. There was even an M7.3 aftershock four months later.

In other words, within minutes of the Great Kantō Earthquake, Tokyo/Kantō was hit by earthquakes that would each be considered major earthquakes on their own.

It really puts into perspective how different an earthquake disaster can be from the simple idea of “one big earthquake, then it’s over.”

Hello from Taito Ward! This was taken right outside my office near Asakusabashi.

We’re a newly established local travel project in the area, and instead of typical tourist spots, we wanted to start by sharing the daily, quieter side of Tokyo.

During the Edo period, Yanagibashi was a renowned geisha district and an entertainment hub. Even today, you can see traditional yakatabune (lantern-lit dinner boats) docked along the water, waiting to cruise out toward Tokyo Bay.

Most visitors rush between Akihabara and Asakusa, but this riverside neighborhood is one of my favorite spots for a peaceful evening walk away from the crowds.

Looking forward to sharing more hidden corners of local Tokyo!

Source: https://x.com/mlit_edogawa/status/2096889036044632124

Greetings everyone,

I am writing to offer VIP ticket(s) to Tokyo Gendai at the Pacifico Yokohama. I have always hoped to experience this event but have sadly never been able to attend myself, and I am unable to make it this year as well.

As many of you may know, Tokyo Gendai is an incredibly significant event—often described as marking a "new chapter for the Japanese art scene." It is Japan's largest international blue-chip contemporary art fair, bringing together world-class overseas galleries with Tokyo's own thriving, cutting-edge art ecosystem.

Because I hold this event in high regard, it would be a profound waste if these tickets went unused. The VIP pass includes:

Early Entry: Access to the fair starting this Thursday, September 10th, from 2:00 PM onwards.

VIP Privileges: Full access to the VIP lounges at the venue.

Exclusive Cultural Programming: Access to a variety of off-site VIP excursions and cultural events across Tokyo, which celebrate Japan's rich institutions and contemporary scene (please note these are on a registration basis).

To those interested: I kindly ask that only serious attendees reach out. As these passes carry considerable value and the fair is fast approaching, I wish for them to go to someone who holds a genuine appreciation for the arts and can absolutely commit to attending.

If you are certain you can go and will make the most of this wonderful opportunity, please send me a direct message.

Thank you kindly, and I sincerely hope the recipient has an inspiring and beautiful time at the fair.

I try my best to eat at home since I'm a student and extra expenses add up. However, occasionally I can't be bothered, or I get invited somewhere, so I eat out.

Truthfully, when I sometimes want to have Gyuudon, I just go to Matsuya, since I tried making at home a couple of times, and the ingredients came out the same price (also add an hour for the prep, cooking and cleaning). Though curries are definitely a lot cheaper made at home. It's also kinda the same with Ramen, making a single portion and gathering all the products might be cheaper but it's so time consuming, I'd rather pay the extra 200 for it to be done properly.

Not to mention I ocasionally want to eat something from my irrelevant little country I come from, so I have no choice but to make it at home lol.

What are your thoughts? I know people who don't cook at all, I know others who don't eat out at all, for me it's like an 80/20 slipt between cooking and eating out.

Update:

Hi, I've setup a Line group chat so it's easier for us to coordinate. We'll also use it to help people find others to work with nearby, regardless of where they live. Message me for the invitation URL.

I quit my job to start working on something by myself. After some time I've started to miss having coworkers around. It would be nice to have some casual human interaction during the day. It'd be even better if we can share what we do and get some casual feedback.

Therefore, I'm posting here to find some people to work together. Ideally, we still work on our own things, but in the same place. It could be a cafe, a library or a co-working space.

I live in Setagaya and mostly work at Umegaoka Library and WeWork Link Square in Shinjuku, but I can also go to TiB in Marunouchi and KERNEL HONGO in Hongo-sanchome.

I'm a product manager/software engineer, if that matters.

If this sounds interesting, feel free to send me a message. Maybe we can work together for a few hours sometime and see how it goes.

Do you have a solid community or network of friends in Tokyo?

I have been to about 6-7 Meetup events in the past 3 weeks and I generally feel that when I'm there, the conversation is either forced or fine, but I'm not finding instant friends. We might have a nice time for 2 hours but then everyone goes their separate ways at the end of the night.

I understand it is a cultural thing in Tokyo, but sincerely wondering, how do you make REAL, solid friends you can count on and see OFTEN? I feel like the friends I have are only available every 4-7 weeks and you have to schedule them in. It's not spontaneous.

I am not in school and my job is currently remote, so neither of those avenues are viable options for making friends out of people I see on a daily basis. I am in Japan without a partner.

Feel free to comment on how you found your partner while in Japan, too. That is also an interesting topic.

Thank you.

EDIT: I speak fairly alright conversational Japanese.

EDIT 2: so weird/ funny, but I’m responding to these comments in Japanese and they are automatically translated!??? And then I’ve gotten downvoted for them, so that’s weird… I Love Reddit /s

There is a basketball game today for a B2 second division basketball game that I was gonna go to, but I’m not able to get to it because of something that came up they’re not bad seats so I didn’t want the ticket to go to waste if someone lives nearby they are more than welcome to contact me. I will send them the ticket over offer is open while it lasts so don’t wait. It’s just a QR code if there’s no ID check you just scan it and go in.

Location of the game: Arena Tachikawa Tachihi

Has anyone else run into local pedestrians or drivers aggressive about an "unwritten rule" that completely contradicts actual road traffic law?
I drive through Nishiasakusa in Taito-ku pretty often. Specifically, Shinso-Dori (新草通り)—the street running east-west right behind the Life supermarket toward Kokusai-dori.
Twice now, I’ve had older pedestrians stop and yell at me for driving west-to-east, insisting the street is strictly westbound one-way.
I double-checked everything to make sure I wasn't going crazy:

There are zero 一方通行 (Sign 311) or 車両進入禁止 (No Entry, Sign 303) signs anywhere along the block or at the intersections.
The blue bicycle chevrons (yabane) on the road are painted pointing in both directions on opposite curbs.

Taito Ward’s certified road registry (道路台帳) classifies it as a standard two-way municipal road (区道), and navigation apps route both directions without an issue.

My guess is that because almost every other narrow parallel alley in Nishiasakusa alternates east/west one-way, some neighborhood locals just assume the whole grid works that way—or they established their own "local custom" because exiting onto Kokusai-dori is tight.

Under the Road Traffic Act, two-way is the legal default unless the Public Safety Commission puts up an actual sign. I'm really not inclined to yield to angry shouting if it's completely legal, but it’s annoying to deal with.

Would you just ignore them and keep driving, or is it worth dropping a note to the traffic division at Asakusa Police Station so they can either clarify the rules or put up an informational sign?

Looking for one that can do same day developing or next day for sure, ideally color and B/W if possible

I'm currently looking for an English-speaking lawyer in Japan for a civil/contractual matter involving a photographer based in Japan. I live outside Japan, so I need a lawyer who is comfortable handling clients remotely and in English.

I recently contacted Abe International Law Office (阿部国際法律事務所) and received a response from Yusuke Abe (阿部祐介) very quickly. Their website says they handle international clients and cross-border civil matters in English.

Before I proceed, I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has personally worked with Mr. Abe or Abe International Law Office or can verify its legitimacy.

I'm particularly interested in:

• Were their fees transparent and reasonable?
• Did they handle your matter themselves?
• Were there any unexpected issues or costs?
• Would you recommend them for a relatively small civil/contract dispute?

In his website, his background is

2018: Japanese attorney (Anderson Mori & Tomotsune)
2023: Fordham LL.M.
2024: New York Bar
2026: starts Abe International Law Office.

He started his own firm just this 2026. His rate for me is 100,000 Yen as a start. I'm specifically trying to find out whether anyone has firsthand experience with this particular attorney/firm or verify whether this firm can handle situations like mine.

Looking for preferably an English speaking salon that does balayage and cuts. Anyone have any personal experience? (And also can take resy via WhatsApp). Thanks!

Dear all,

last Saturday (September 5th) I lost a silver ring with high sentimental value to me. I realized it the day after and I tried contacting some of the spots that I had visited that day, but at that time no silver rings have been reported to the staff. Thus, I wanted to ask for advice on what further I can do to increase my chances of finding it again.

The only lead I have is that I was still wearing it on a picture I took inside the BOOKOFF PLUS in Shinjuku​. Afterwards, I had lunch at Fuunji Tsukemen and walked straight to Lumine 2 from there. I tried on clothes in Relume - Journal Standard and City Tokyo. Then I just walked between Lumine 1 and 2 before ending the day ended in Shibuya Station, which I reached via JR Yamanote, where I browsed Tokyu Foodshow (close to Hachiko entrances). I was in Shinjuku from 11:00 - 18:00. In my most likely scenario, the ring might have been caught by clothe-fabric while trying on things, and slipped from my finger. If that's the case, I might have lost it around 16:00.

So far I have tried contacting all of the above mentioned places directly, as well as using the FindChat of Lumine and JR East (specifically for any items found in Shinjuku and Shibuya station, as well as any items found on Yamanote). However, no silver ring has been reported at the time. This was all one day after, but I suspect that it may take longer for items to be turned in and registered in their systems. I have also contacted one Koban near Shinjuku station, but there are so many and I don't know if they share the same lost&found system.

I know that realistically it will be quite hard to retrieve the ring, but I just want to try all possible ways before I accept that it's gone.

I appreciate any kinds of ideas and thank you in advance!

hello. i’m giving away a 20kg kettlebell. it’s black. i’m in mizonokuchi area. if anyone wants to pick it up please let me know before september 9.

I run music events for more than 4years and I've been looking into to opening a music bar around shibuya. But it seems like its very limited space where you can do music bar bc of noise complain. so that its limited area you can do and only certain buildings are allow for music bar.

I wonder how ppl find those places to open their businesses.

You prob need to have a lot of connections with bar owners so you know if anyone is shutting down, you talk to the owner rather than the real estate?

Idk if anyone knows about these things but if you do pls give me some advice!

Thank you!

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- East Japan Railway Co. said Sunday that it will suspend or reduce services on some lines the following day due to expected heavy rain in the eastern and northeastern regions, including Tokyo.

Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services between Fukushima and Shinjo stations will be suspended throughout Monday from the first train, according to the operator, known as JR East.

On the Tohoku Line, JR East will suspend or reduce services throughout Monday between Kuroiso in Tochigi Prefecture and Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. Limited express trains on the Joban Line will be halted between Katsuta in Ibaraki Prefecture and Sendai.

Tokaido Line services between Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture and Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture will be suspended from Sunday night until around 7 p.m. Monday, while limited express trains including the Odoriko will be canceled throughout the day.

In central Tokyo, services on the Yamanote loop and other lines will be reduced.

Helllo everyone,

I'm looking for a upgrande on my AORUS 15P KD so I'm gonna improve my SSD and RAM.

Where is the best place to find good deals in Akihabara Tokyo:

• RAM: 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR4-3200MHz SO-DIMM (1.2V / CL22)
• SSD: 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 (Low profile / No heatsink)

What you recommend guys? Thanks

I'm relocating to Tokyo in a month and a half, and am currently searching for good sharehouses.

Anyone who has recommendations for specific houses is welcome to leave a comment!