change
Japan has gone through a lot of changes in the past half-century. It emerged from the end of World War II willing to become a part of the international community, but not willing to give up some of its stranger quirks, some of which are part of the reason that we love it for today.
But some of those quirks are more annoying than others, and they’ve slowly faded away as people have realized they’re not really necessary. So with that in mind here’s the list of five things that were once taboo in Japan, but are now (mostly) okay today. Read on and find out if something you do would have once been frowned upon!
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Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
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Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
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Monthly
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- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list- Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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Tokyo police arrest two men for theft of 4.98 million-yen Yu-Gi-Oh! card
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
Star of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service now comes as a doll with four cute accessories
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Coca-Cola Japan releases new clear coke this month, we get to try it before it goes on sale
Japan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to Japan’s snowy Hokkaido Prefecture!
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Japan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
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