family name
What’s in a name? In Japan, those with a strong understanding of kanji, those pesky Chinese characters that are always tripping up language learners, can immediately understand the significance of anyone’s appellation.
Although the most common surname in Japan is “Sato,” it turns out that there’s a far more popular name combination that doesn’t include our quirkiest reporter‘s last name. Let’s take a look at the most common given and family names in Japan and the meanings behind them.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Celebrating Good Couple’s Day in Japan…by getting our significant others to dress us
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Want some great ramen in Akihabara? Then head to this…karaoke joint?!?
Nara man arrested for burying mother in his cemetery plot by himself
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Domino’s Japan has all-you-can-eat pizza isn’t an Internet rumor, but it is hard to find
What happens when our reporters show up to work dressed like their fathers?
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Weekly
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】- Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge- Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
- Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Starbucks Japan unveils second Holiday Frappuccino for 2024
Monthly
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】- One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row- Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too- Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Nara man arrested for burying mother in his cemetery plot by himself
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Domino’s Japan has all-you-can-eat pizza isn’t an Internet rumor, but it is hard to find
What happens when our reporters show up to work dressed like their fathers?
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Japan’s new frozen sushi DIY kit – Great foodie fun, or cold-hearted abomination?【Taste test】
Made In Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster now on sale in Japan
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
Low price, free booze and curry, late check-out, and great location — Akihabara capsule hotel has it all
Japan’s caramel gacha machines offer sweet thrills, but do they deliver?
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
Japanese breast size study shows rapid growth in previously smallest-busted region of county
Spinoff novel of Shinkai’s Your Name film gets manga in July
Chirin-chirin ice cream: The frozen treat that sounds like a bell and looks like a rose
-
