* Ace: See asexual.
* Alloromantic: Someone who is interested in romantic things. This is independent of their interest in sex.
* Aromantic: Someone who is uninterested in romance and romantic things. This is independent of their interest in sex.
* Asexual: Someone who is not interested in sex. This is independent of if the person is interested in romance.
* Cheki: A small instant photo sold by chika. A two-shot cheki includes the purchaser along with the idol. Cheki can be autographed or unautographed with autographed ones costing more.
* Chika: Underground. Also used as a term for idols who mainly work in clubs.
* Chirashi: Sushi rice in a box or bowl with a variety of ingredients sprinkled on top.
* Dafuku: A sweet rice dough (Mochi), with a flavored filling often red bean.
* Dogeza: Bowing with one’s forehead touching the floor.
* Ghost: A yuurei, a Japanese spirit of the dead. Despite using the Western word, ghosts in this story conform to the Japanese archetype, not the Western one.
* Hostess: A woman who works in a club as a paid companion.
* Jigoku: The Buddhist hell realms.
* Kakuriyo (隠り世): The hidden world — Realm of youkai, spirits, and kami
* Kami: A supernatural entity that is worshiped, i.e., a god.
* Kirakira: Glittering; sparkling; glistening; twinkling.
* Kitoushi (祈祷師): A type of shaman, faith healer, exorcist.
* Kitsune: Fox. Folklore holds they can shape-shift and are often, but not always, cruel pranksters. Especially noted for carrying lanterns and leading travelers astray.
* Konbini: Convenience store.
* Konbini suto: A person who goes to convenience stores frequently.
* Kotatsu: A low table with a blanket over it and a heater under it.
* Kretek: Cigarettes flavored with cloves.
* Kuzu ningen (クズ人間): A garbage person.
* Mugicha: Roasted barley tea.
* Onigiri: Rice balls.
* Onryo: A vengeful ghost, one of the most feared and dangerous types of ghosts.
* Ochazuke: Rice served with tea or dashi (stock) poured over it.
* Peony Lantern: There’re many versions of this Japanese folktale. In all of them, a woman’s ghost comes back for her lover.
* Polycule: An extended non–monogamous group of partners.
* Pianissimo Peche Menthol One: A peach flavored cigarette marketed to appeal to women.
* Reibai (霊媒): A spirit medium, someone who can talk with the dead and similar activities.
* Reikan (霊感): The ability to sense the supernatural
* Shine (死ね): Die, drop dead. This is a vulgar word often used to curse someone.
* Shoujo: Girl; a young woman.
* Shochu: A distilled liquor. Multi-distilled shochu is like vodka. Better single-distilled shochu has a mild flavor, depending on what it’s distilled from.
* Showa: Approximately late 1926 to early 1989.
* Stan: A internet term for an avid fan. I have substituted this word for wota, an avid idol fan, since it is better understood in the West.
* Suzume: Swallows
* Tamoto Suzume: Sleeve Sparrow or Yosuzume/night sparrow is a minor youkai typically found associated with more powerful youkai.
* Teke Teke: A well known onryo that has lost the lower part of her body. As a result, she walks on her elbows making a teke teke sound.
* Trans: A person who identifies as being the opposite gender from the one they were assigned at birth.
* Transfem: A person assigned to the male gender at birth who identifies as the feminine gender.
* Transmasc: A person assigned to the female gender at birth who identifies as the masculine gender.
* Unagi: Eel.
* Wota: An avid follower of idols. Like an otaku. Sometimes called an idol otaku.
* Yakiniku: Japanese dish of grilled meat like Korean barbecue.
* Yankii: Delinquent (youth) noted for their modified motorcycles and cars.
* Youkai: A supernatural creature. Sometimes harmful and other times helpful.
* Yuurei: A ghost or spirit.