customer service
Japan is now at a cultural tipping point, where foreign influences threaten to destroy local customs.
Cat got your tongue on where to stay? Choose one of these lodgings where the felines play a purrfect part of the customer service.
“More than friends less than lovers” team shows us what it takes to look after thousands of commuters on the rails.
Orient Industry shows that in Japan, the customer is always supposed to be appreciated and respected.
Unusual design in Kansai is a clever example of thoughtful customer service, designed specifically with the user in mind.




















Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Tokyo station platform to transform into sake bar with hot drinks, hot oden, and hot kotatsu
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Japan’s most popular maid cafe, Akiba Zettai Ryoiki, opens new “Maid Cafe Winery” in Akihabara
Akihabara’s otaku shrine celebrates PlayStation 5 launch with ethereal one-night event
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Tokyo station platform to transform into sake bar with hot drinks, hot oden, and hot kotatsu
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Japan’s most popular maid cafe, Akiba Zettai Ryoiki, opens new “Maid Cafe Winery” in Akihabara
Akihabara’s otaku shrine celebrates PlayStation 5 launch with ethereal one-night event
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Fujifilm removes promotional video after it causes outrage【Video】
How sexy is Japan’s for-bar-hostesses “sexy mask?” Let’s find out【Photos】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan