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!







Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Japan has a cute Pokémon menu you probably don’t know about yet
Is this Tokyo government office still one of the best places in the city for a curry rice lunch?
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Tokyo bus line praised for handling of driver’s mental health
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Japan’s train travel soundscape faces sad change as JR East axes special station departure melodies
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Tokyo bus line praised for handling of driver’s mental health
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Japan’s train travel soundscape faces sad change as JR East axes special station departure melodies
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Photos of Complete Strangers: Japan’s new strange, and strangely compelling, capsule toys【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We go looking for the best natto (fermented soybeans) in all of Japan【Taste test】
Watch a kabuki classic at home: National Theatre uploads Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura for free【Video】
Japan’s weeping plum trees are so beautiful they’ll bring tears to your eyes【Photos】
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Cute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon[Photos]