Many foreigners view Japan as some marvelous dreamland of technology and culture; a place where crazy is the norm and embracing fantasy in everyday life is acceptable.
But to Japanese people, Japan is just that place you were born. Everyone and everything is routine, and it’s often difficult to see why the rest of the world get’s so worked up about “Japanese culture.”
Earlier this month, we sent one of our Japanese reporters to Comic Market (or “Comiket“), the world’s largest self-published comic book fair and otaku mecca, to interview real live foreigners and ask them what it is they really think about this country.
![[Quiz] How Well Do You Know Your Japanese Hand Gestures?](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/06/img_4379.jpg?w=640 "[Quiz] How Well Do You Know Your Japanese Hand Gestures?")
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
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
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Everything you need to know about dining at a sushi restaurant—in handy infographics!【Pics】
Legendary artist EYE to hold his largest mass-percussion event ever in Tokyo with crowdfunding underway
Chinatown in Yokohama has a feng shui pay toilet so we dashed over to use it right away
Octopus tentacle ear plugs coming to Japanese capsule toy machines
Tourists in Kyoto cause chaos at railway crossing near Fushimi Inari Taisha
Photos of Complete Strangers: Japan’s new strange, and strangely compelling, capsule toys【Pics】
Tokyo DisneySea’s Frozen Kingdom: Elsa’s home at Fantasy Springs has a surprising attraction
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan