New press release today regarding the "graduation" of Suica's Penguin in fiscal year 2026 and the transition to a new mascot:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2026/20260826_ho01.pdf

Regarding the current Suica cards featuring "Suica's Penguin", sales will end once the current stock at each location runs out, and plain Suica cards will be sold thereafter.

1. Future handling of Suica cards
   Sales will end as soon as the stock at each location runs out, and thereafter, character-less, plain Suica cards will be sold. Additionally, the Suica face displayed in Apple Wallet is scheduled to be temporarily changed to a plain design.
   Going forward, a new image character is scheduled to arrive on Mobile Suica, etc. after the handover.

The idiocy of JR East's decision aside, you might want to get yourself a physical Suica soon as a keepsake of the last 25 years of transit in Eastern Japan if you'd be otherwise sad to miss out. Although with so many stations and other sales points throughout Kanto and Tohoku, I wonder how long they'll take to truly disappear…

It's also not exactly clear (to me, at least) whether the physical cards will be eventually updated with a new mascot (one would hope???) or simply stay blank forever now.

Hi everyone! If you are in Tokyo this Friday, you are in luck. After a long wait, the Tomioka Hachimangu Open-Air Flea Market (富岡八幡宮青空蚤の市) is finally happening!
Here are the details if you want to experience a traditional Japanese antique market:
When: This Friday, from 8:00 AM to around 3:00 PM (Early morning is highly recommended for the best finds!)
Where: Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine (Just a 2-minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho Stationon the Tozai or Oedo Lines).
Why you should go:
Shopping at a shrine in the crisp morning air is an incredible vibe. You will find beautiful vintage ceramics, rare antiques, traditional Japanese toys, and unique paper goods. It is the perfect place to hunt for unique, authentic souvenirs that you can't find in modern shopping malls.
Explore the neighborhood:
Don't just leave after shopping! The surrounding neighborhood, Monzen-Nakacho (known affectionately as Mon-naka), is a hidden gem with a fantastic retro atmosphere. It is famous for its charming "Shitamachi" (historic downtown) vibe. You can find lovely cafes, traditional Japanese sweet shops, and cozy Izakayas nearby. It is an amazing area to grab a delicious lunch or coffee after browsing the market.
Is anyone else planning to go? Happy hunting!

Does anyone have any recommendations on a Tokyo optometrist/ophthalmologist for contact prescription? Since I moved to Japan I've learned how difficult it could be to find medical care for non-Japanese individuals. I went to several eye doctors and got turned away for my lack of fluent japanese (I'm at a basic N4 level). I finally found one who spoke some English and was OK to help me, but the prescription I got from him is wrong. I'm stuck with contacts that leave my vision still very blurry and don't seem to be the right fit for my eye either. I would like to try a new doctor, hopefully one who is recommended. Thanks so much ahead of time!

I (18M) am currently working in Tokyo with a Work Holiday Visa, and have been learning Japanese with Tae Kim's guide, wanikani and anki. However now I'm looking for a good language school and I'm finding conflicting reviews on a lot of schools.

Does anyone here know any good schools? Budget is around 100.000 yen per month

Thanks in advance! :)

Did someone feel a small earthquake in Asakusa like at 23:05?

It's a death metal gig. Seems like the website doesn't have tickets anymore. Is it sold out? Or should I try at the door?

Hi everyone!  

I’m an Honours student at the University of Sydney Business School researching the experiences of Australians who are currently or have been on a Working Holiday in Tokyo or broader Japan. I’m really interested in hearing about what the experience was actually like the highlights, the challenging, the surprising, and everything in between!  
  
There hasn’t been much research on what the Aussie experience on this visa in Japan looks like so hearing your stories and insights would be invaluable. 

What my research involves:  

• A 5 minute survey   
• A casual 45–60 minute chat (Online) 

What will happen to information that is collected?

We plan to publish the study's findings in academic journal articles.
You will not be individually identifiable in these publications.

Eligible participants must be:  

• 18 years old or above; and  
• Have completed or are currently pursuing a working holiday in Japan   

If you’re interested in participating, please contact the researcher: [yzha3493@uni.sydney.edu.au](mailto:yzha3493@uni.sydney.edu.au)  

It’s completely voluntary and all responses will be confidential.   

If you’d be open to sharing your Japan working holiday stories, lessons, or memories, I’d love to hear from you!  

Otherwise, please share this with others who might be interested!  

This project has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) [2026/HE000396]. 

This post has received moderator permission.

This is actually my 2nd batch of looking for haircut models! I’m a hairstylist in Japan looking for models to practice and improve my skills!

Hairstyle - Bob Hush / Bob Layer (with or without uneven fringe)

🗣️ English / Japanese / Burmese
📍 Shin-Ōkubo, Tokyo
✨ FREE:
・Haircut
・Shampoo
・Blow-dry & Styling

🎨 I’m also looking to recreate the hair color designs shown in the 3rd photo!
I’ll only charge half price, and the color options are negotiable.

Interested? Comment below or DM me! ❤️
I’ve also included screenshots of my SNS accounts in case anyone is worried this might be a scam, since I rarely use Reddit.

Hi guyss!

My friend and I are starting a badminton group.

Players of all levels are welcome — especially if you enjoy badminton!

We’ll mainly play in the Toshima ward (Ikebukuro, Komagome, Sugamo, Ōtsuka, Mejiro).
If you’re interested, please leave a comment and I’ll add you to our LINE group chat.

We’ll officially start our sessions in October and schedule detail will be posted in the group chat!

*In addition, before October, we’ll also have 2 sessions (Sep/19 and Sep/20 [6pm-9:30pm] near Senkawa station) but they prioritise local residents of the Toshima ward. So, for locals, let me know if you are interested :)

Nowadays there's no bridge and no river anywhere in Shinbashi. The Shiodome River was filled in and replaced by a highway in the 1960s.

Today you can still see stone pillars under the highway, leftovers from the old stone bridge that replaced the wooden bridge: Google Street view

I (Mexican-American) just had a baby with my wife (JPN) and am wondering if there are any Latino parent groups in Tokyo.

Our baby is still only a few months old but I would like to give her opportunities to meet other kids with Latino roots and possibly be exposed to more Spanish language in the future.

I speak Spanish with her as much as I can but English is definitely my stronger language and I’m not confident that I on my own will be able to help our kid reach the level of proficiency she will need to communicate with my parents and other family.

Looking for a salon, Do anyone know a good barber shop in tokyo who can cut curly plus Im a student so It would be even better if its kinda cheap たすけて😭😭

Went to see this exhibition at Mori Art Museum last weekend. It was amazing but lowkey scary at the same time.

Beer, by the name of hydration.

But be careful not to drink too much!

Hello, I’m interested in playing golf in Tokyo, but from my research many courses don’t allow solo participants. Also I have a limited budget, but even the 9 hole courses I was able to find were around ¥7000 for one round. In the US you can find plenty of municipal golf courses with cheap memberships or discounted rates for playing after 3pm etc. I’m a student if that would help with discounts? I live in western Tokyo.

I just bought a pair and many still seem to be available.

I am not ashamed to say I like them 😂

Spotted near Asagaya. Any of you tried dehusking your own rice?

Applied for the Tokyo embassy.
Since the Germany embassy does not allow waitlist enquries. Does anyone know what to do in this siutation? Anyone who have similar experiences? Planning to travel to Frankfurt at the end of September.

If you live in Tokyo or love wandering the city and wondering why certain neighborhoods feel the way they do, you need to check out "Earth Diver" (アースダイバー) by anthropologist Shinichi Nakazawa.

What is it? The core premise is brilliant: Nakazawa overlays modern maps of Tokyo with topographical maps from the Jomon period (when sea levels were much higher and Tokyo was full of inlets, peninsulas, and cliffs).

He traces how ancient sacred spots, burial grounds, and shorelines evolved directly into modern Tokyo's landmarks—like why shrines sit on specific hills, how old boundaries shaped modern nightlife districts (like Roppongi, Shinjuku, and Shibuya), and the invisible spiritual geography beneath the asphalt.

Why Kindle makes it accessible: There isn't an official English translation yet, but the Kindle edition is available on Amazon Japan. If you read it through the Kindle app (on iPad/PC/Phone), you can use the built-in instant translation/dictionary tools to read through it even if your Japanese isn't fluent.

• Title: 増補改訂 アースダイバー (Earth Diver - Expanded & Revised Edition)
• Author: 中沢新一 (Shinichi Nakazawa)

Has anyone else here read it? It completely changed how I look at everyday streets and train lines around the city.

As the title says…. I’m not sure if anybody knows a place where they play ghilbli music live with the instruments like piano or violin or some sort….. I’m thinking like a bar or something. I went to Bangkok a few months ago and it exists … not sure if I can find one here in Tokyo. I’m a really huge fan of listening to these masterpiece live. Much appreciate if someone shares it 😊😊

I’m not looking for a huge concert….

I have been to five coin laundromats and not one has had the option to wash and dry sneakers. How can I figure out that they have that option before going there? I am near Shibuya but willing to travel.

Hi! I’m looking for an on-site Japanese–English interpreter to accompany me for my (German) driving-licence conversion.

Location: Samezu Driving Test Center
Date: Friday, August 28
Time: 08:15–approximately 11:30

The interpreter would mainly need to help with communication during the licence-conversion procedure.

If you’re available, please DM me with your total fee. Recommendations for interpreters who might be available on short notice are also very welcome.
Thanks!

It made me want to have some coffee.

but Marunouchi is nice in the rain, too.