Unless you grew up in Japan, you may be baffled by the emphasis that Japanese employees place on customer service. Customers in Japan are treated as royalty from every possible angle, even if they’re just out buying a few pieces of fried chicken at the local convenience store. If you’re not used to it, you may find the special treatment to be endearing, but after a while you may come to think of all the excess services as unnecessary and annoying.
It turns out that some Japanese people feel the same way about their own country’s customs regarding customer service. Have you ever felt the same about any of the following situations?

Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
The 8 least crowded weekends and holidays at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
We try to collect all 7 limited edition Pokémon figurines from Yoshinoya’s Pokémon beef bowl sets
The best cosplayers from Day Two of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival
Pizza Hut x Tamagotchi collaboration features first-ever pink-dough pizza
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
We try to collect all 7 limited edition Pokémon figurines from Yoshinoya’s Pokémon beef bowl sets
The best cosplayers from Day Two of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival
Pizza Hut x Tamagotchi collaboration features first-ever pink-dough pizza
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Osaka Obachan are here to rock your world, make sure you don’t go hungry
Japanese men share what they can put up with in a girlfriend, but would be marriage deal-breakers
One Piece teaming up with 5 NCAA basketball teams
Dress like an aristocrat from the Nara period at new costume rental shop in Nara【Photos】
10 +1 Japanese-Style Fonts For Typing English That Will Confuse Your Friends