M. japonica range from approximately 17 to 25 mm in length and have wide wings which are shaped like melon seeds.

The Orthoptera Species File[2] lists two subspecies: M. japonica is an autumn kigo (season word) used in haiku.

Suzumushi is the title of chapter 38 of The Tale of Genji, authored by Murasaki Shikibu.

For unknown reasons, it is the only chapter skipped in Arthur Waley's translation of the book.

In the 1962 novel The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata, they are kept as pets by the main character, Chieko Sada, and are mentioned several times.