What Is a ‘Hobiaka’ (ホビ垢)? Inside Japan’s Cute Hobby-Account Trend

Stickers, mini figures, fan goods, all arranged just so. ホビ垢 — ‘hobby accounts’ — became one of 2026’s Word of the Year nominees. Plus: why Japanese calls a social media account ‘dirt.’

‘NISA Poverty’: Why Some Young Japanese Are Investing So Much They Can’t Afford to Live

Japan pushed its citizens to invest — and some young people took it a little too far. NISA貧乏 made this year’s Word of the Year shortlist. Here’s what it means, and the money Japanese behind it.

What Is a ‘Dopagaki’ (ドパガキ)? Japan’s Slang for Being Hooked on the Scroll

Scrolling short videos in the bath, under the hair dryer, in bed at 2 a.m.? Japan has a cheeky new word for that — and it’s one of 2026’s Word of the Year nominees.

‘Frenemy’ in Japanese: Why フレネミー Became One of 2026’s Words of the Year Nominees

Japanese borrowed ‘frenemy’ from English — and this year it went mainstream. What フレネミー means in Japan, how it’s used, and the other words Japanese has for complicated friendships.

Riding a Bike in Japan? The ‘Blue Ticket’ Rules Every Cyclist (and Tourist) Should Know

Since April 2026, cyclists 16 and over can be fined on the spot for using a phone, ignoring a red light or riding with an umbrella. The new rules, the fines, and the Japanese on the signs.

It’s Official: The 30 Words That Defined Japan in 2026 (Riku-Ryu and 滅 Made the List)

Japan’s Word of the Year nominees are out. From Olympic gold to idol slang, click farms and a 1% tax plan, here’s the full list — and the ones learners should know first.

Fried Chicken, Strawberry Cake and Date Night: Why Christmas in Japan Looks So Different

Christmas lights are already going up across Japan. Here’s how a country where few people are Christian built its own Christmas — and the Japanese you’ll need to join in.

What Does ‘Gachi’ (ガチ) Mean? From Sumo Slang to ‘For Real’

ガチで? Seriously? This tiny word started in the sumo ring and became one of the most common ways young Japanese say ‘seriously.’ Plus: ガチ勢, エンジョイ勢 and ガチる.

Japan Is Going to a Moon of Mars — and Bringing a Piece of It Home

JAXA’s MMX probe is on its way to Phobos, aiming for the first-ever sample return from the Mars system. What the mission is, why it matters, and the space Japanese you’ll hear in the news.

Oshi-katsu Explained: How Supporting Your Fave Became a Japanese Lifestyle

Acrylic stands, member colors, themed cafés and ‘oshi’ budgets. 推し活 started in idol fandom and became part of everyday Japanese life. Here’s the vocabulary you need to join in.

What Does ‘Emoi’ (エモい) Mean? The Japanese Word for a Feeling English Can’t Quite Name

Film photos, old train stations, a song from your school days. Japanese has one small word for that bittersweet, nostalgic ache — and you can start using it today.

Kansai-ben 101: ‘Nande ya nen’, ‘Shiran kedo’ and Why Osaka Japanese Sounds So Fun

Japan’s most famous dialect just showed up in a teen hit song title. Learn the ten Kansai words that make Osaka Japanese sound warm, funny and impossible to ignore.

What Are Japanese Teens Saying in 2026? 5 Words From the Girls’ High School Trend Awards

An 11-year-old YouTube line, a song title in Osaka dialect, and a squishy toy. Japan’s teen trend rankings show that in 2026, ‘new’ and ‘old’ have melted together.

97 New Shows in One Season: Your Guide to Japan’s Autumn 2026 Anime (and the Words in Their Titles)

The Apothecary Diaries is back, Blue Box returns, and Ranma 1/2 keeps going. Here’s what Japan is watching this fall — plus a crash course in the Japanese of anime titles.

Japan’s Autumn Leaves Are Running Late This Year. Here’s When to Go

A long, hot summer pushed back koyo season across Japan. The latest forecasts, the best spots, and the words every Japanese weather report uses this month.

Winter Starts This Saturday (Officially): 6 Japanese Words for November

Japan’s old calendar says winter begins on November 7. From 立冬 to 七五三 to the first hot pot of the season, here are the words that define the month — and when you’ll hear them.

What Does ‘Yabai’ (やばい) Mean? The Japanese Word That Means Both ‘Terrible’ and ‘Amazing’

Your Japanese friend tastes the ramen and says ‘yabai.’ Is it good or bad? Here’s how one word came to mean danger, disaster and delight — and how to tell which one.

Japan Asks Every Household to Stock a Week of Food and Water. What That Means — and What It Doesn’t

On its first day, Japan’s new disaster agency issued an ‘emergency request’ to stockpile supplies. Some people online panicked. Here’s what the government actually asked, and the Japanese behind it.

‘Goodbye Bad Halloween’: Why Shibuya Keeps Asking People Not to Come

Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, and Tokyo’s most famous party district braced for crowds. Here’s the story behind Shibuya’s street-drinking ban — and the Japanese on the signs.

‘Taipa’ (タイパ): Why Young Japanese Watch Shows at 1.5x Speed

Cost performance was the old obsession. Now it’s time performance. Meet タイパ, the word that explains double-speed streaming, spoiler-first viewing and a whole generation’s relationship with time.

Japan Launches a New Disaster Agency. Here Are the Emergency Words Every Visitor Should Know

On November 2, Japan opened 防災庁 — a new command center for earthquakes, typhoons and floods. What it does, why it matters, and the Japanese that could keep you safe.

Japan Just Changed Tax-Free Shopping. Here’s What Visitors Need to Know Now

Since November 1, tourists pay full price at the register and get the 10% back at the airport. The new rules, the catch, and the Japanese words you’ll see at the counter.

It’s Culture Day: Why Japan Takes November 3 Off (and Why It Almost Never Rains)

Free museums, imperial medals and a weather legend. Today’s national holiday has a surprisingly dramatic backstory — here’s what Culture Day is really about.

‘So Cute I’m Destroyed’: Why Japanese Teens Can’t Stop Saying 滅

One kanji, one syllable, and a whole lot of feelings. Meet 〇〇で滅 — the slang that took over Japanese social media in 2026.

Sweet Potato Season Is Ending. Here’s How to Read a Konbini Like a Local

Japan’s convenience stores change their shelves with the seasons — and the labels tell you everything. Learn the five words that turn a konbini run into a treasure hunt.

It’s Official: The 30 Words That Defined Japan in 2026 (Riku-Ryu and 滅 Made the List)

Japan Is Going to a Moon of Mars — and Bringing a Piece of It Home

Japan’s Autumn Leaves Are Running Late This Year. Here’s When to Go

What Is a ‘Dopagaki’ (ドパガキ)? Japan’s Slang for Being Hooked on the Scroll

‘Frenemy’ in Japanese: Why フレネミー Became One of 2026’s Words of the Year Nominees

What Does ‘Gachi’ (ガチ) Mean? From Sumo Slang to ‘For Real’

What Is a ‘Hobiaka’ (ホビ垢)? Inside Japan’s Cute Hobby-Account Trend

Oshi-katsu Explained: How Supporting Your Fave Became a Japanese Lifestyle

97 New Shows in One Season: Your Guide to Japan’s Autumn 2026 Anime (and the Words in Their Titles)

‘NISA Poverty’: Why Some Young Japanese Are Investing So Much They Can’t Afford to Live

Japan Asks Every Household to Stock a Week of Food and Water. What That Means — and What It Doesn’t

‘Goodbye Bad Halloween’: Why Shibuya Keeps Asking People Not to Come

Riding a Bike in Japan? The ‘Blue Ticket’ Rules Every Cyclist (and Tourist) Should Know

Fried Chicken, Strawberry Cake and Date Night: Why Christmas in Japan Looks So Different

Kansai-ben 101: ‘Nande ya nen’, ‘Shiran kedo’ and Why Osaka Japanese Sounds So Fun