bowing
Assembly rules at commercial high school called cult-like, disrespectful to students.
Even people born and raised in famously polite Japan are amazed by Iwate Prefecture’s manners.
If you’re starting a new job, you might want to stretch out your back before showing up at the office for your first day.
The 96th National High School Baseball Championship, better known as Summer Koshien, is now underway in Hyogo Prefecture. In other words, Japan is once again swept up by baseball fever.
The championship takes the form of a single elimination tournament between the regional champions from each of Japan’s 47 prefectures (Hokkaido and Tokyo are both allowed two teams each). One of the teams this year, which hails from northern Japan’s Yamagata Prefecture, has become an especially hot topic online, even though they were recently knocked out in the third round. The reason for their popularity is not only because of their skill, but also for their unbelievably well-mannered conduct off of the field. Introducing the team that has now become known as the most polite high school baseball team in all of Japan.
The cleaning crews who maintain Japan’s high-speed bullet trains have a mere seven minutes to make the interior of the train spotlessly clean for its next journey. Those seven minutes are carefully divided into different tasks to make sure everything gets done in the allotted time.
Another curious detail people often notice about these cleaners is the way they bow as trains are entering and exiting the station. While this act is generally thought to be a respectful gesture, the intended recipient of the bowing seems to be a matter of great debate, with plenty of conflicting opinions out there, even among the Japanese!







Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
We taste the Adult Cream Pie from McDonald’s Japan
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Hello Kitty shows up at Baskin-Robins Japan for 50th birthday party with special sweets and merch
A visit to Subnade: Downtown Tokyo’s survivor subterranean shopping center【Photos】
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Hello Kitty shows up at Baskin-Robins Japan for 50th birthday party with special sweets and merch
A visit to Subnade: Downtown Tokyo’s survivor subterranean shopping center【Photos】
Oodles of noodles! Udon chain pays homage to all 47 prefectures of Japan with 47 dishes【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
New indie game The Exit 8 may make us never want to enter another Japanese subway station again
Tokyo junior high school demands students wear white underwear as part of dress code
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Hello Kitty learns sign language in newest friendship with Japanese artist
Discovering Paapo, the secret flavor behind the happosai enjoyed by Osakan families
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Gohobi Melon Frappuccino really the ultimate melon Frappuccino?
Studio Ghibli serves up anime characters on new lacquered trays
Kirby’s angry American version re-imported to Japan for the first time