castle
Despite its well-deserved reputation as an extremely hard-working nation, Japan is also a country that knows how to relax. Every city has a number of cafes where you can stop, sip a drink, and soak in the soothing ambiance.
Some of these establishments style themselves after a comfy living room, while others feel more like a stylish library or lounge. Or, if you happen to be in Tokushima Prefecture, there’s the café built into what appears to be a crumbling castle.
As Google Maps expands its reach across the globe, netizens are finding more and more hidden treasures amongst the usual images of street signs and roadways. Sure, we catch a flock of human pigeons every now and then, but this next photo gallery is a little subtler than mobs of masked people purposely trying to live on forever in Google Maps. No, this is a different kind of mob…the mob. The yakuza, rumored to number in the hundred-thousands in Japan, have landed themselves on Google Maps more than a few times and we’re not quite sure they appreciate being photographed.
Japan really loves to put its tourist spots into a top three list, such as the top three gardens or the top three hot springs. And a lot of tourists like to visit all three of the places to be able to say they’ve completed the set. But which of these famous trios do Japanese tourists want to visit the most? The website Web R25 recently surveyed 664 of their readers to ask them which of the top three lists they most want to visit. Click below to find out which trio of tourist hotspots topped the list and be sure to let us know which one you prefer in our RocketNews24 poll at the bottom!
MOST POPULAR
Now
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Man arrested for threatening a shrine in Kyoto because they used AI art
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Final Fantasy XIV’s Ul’dah city-state recreated in real world in massive diorama【Video】
Weekly
- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
- Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Yearly
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
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
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】
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Man arrested for threatening a shrine in Kyoto because they used AI art
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Final Fantasy XIV’s Ul’dah city-state recreated in real world in massive diorama【Video】
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Bangkok has its own magical moving emporium stuffed with snacks, candies and toys!
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
The phantom juice only available from vending machines at JR East train stations
You can make and eat anime’s most famous butt with the Shin-chan purin kit【Photos】
Japanese dad challenges daughter’s boyfriend to video game grudge match, gets kicked out of house
-
