Japanese culture (Page 2)
In just the first day of his stay, designer tweeted more than 50 things that pleasantly surprised him about Japan.
We visited Mariko’s home near Shinjuku for a variety of unique cultural experiences, including a lesson in making gyoza and a homemade feast complete with sake and shochu.
We’ve talked before about geisha as one of Japan’s distinctly female professions, so this time we’re going to share with you a few fun facts about the geisha and their floating world.
Weeaboos often get a bad rap for being out of touch with reality and over-idealising Japan. But what do ordinary Japanese people think of them?
Is Japanese smartphone culture really so different from other countries? Foreigners weigh in…
“From birth to death, a woman must never forget to display fondness and affection … a woman will surely experience a life of sorrow without it.”
Check out these drowsy drivers catching 40 winks during a typical day in Japan’s busiest city.
Believe it or not, there’s a Japanese Way of taking photos. We’ve compiled some cultural guidelines as well as language tips to help you take happy snappies on your next trip to Japan!
Today, we present five phases Western expats go through, from arriving fresh off the boat to thinking about retirement, when living in Japan.
The Japanese are known for their politeness, so it’s only natural that visitors to Japan want to know what to do, or not do, to avoid appearing rude. Check out this list of little behaviors that you won’t find in your guidebook.
We asked Japanese people to tell us the things foreigners say or think about Japan that really gets their goat—and they were happy to oblige! How many of these faux pas are you guilty of?
Every time I visit my home country and talk about my life in Japan, one thing becomes clear to me: Japan remains incredibly misunderstood overseas. With this in mind, today we’ll be discussing three stereotypes of Japan: the country’s apparent disdain for those who stand out from the crowd, the notion that Japan is a strict society, and that the idea of ‘losing face’ is a quintessentially Asian concept.
Kyoto, which was the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years, is one of those cities that looks beautiful no matter what time of the year it is. But out of all the seasons, autumn is by far the most popular time to visit, and now that the leaves are beginning to change people are also starting to plan trips to catch a glimpse of Kyoto’s gorgeous fall scenery.
If you happen to be one of those tourists, we have just the book for you, a unique insight into city by foreigners who now call Kyoto their home, called Amazing Kyoto.
After having lived in Japan for a number of years, you get used to the certain ways in which it smells kinda different to your home country. For example, people here tend to wear less cologne and perfume so you’re not as likely to have your nostril hairs singed by someone who has doused themselves with eau de celeb as you share a train carriage on your morning commute. On the other hand, smoking is absolutely everywhere in Japan and you can expect to come home with your hair and clothes stinking of smoke after barely an hour at your local izakaya, even if you never touch the cancer sticks yourself.
But a new survey conducted by an oral care company has found evidence that suggests one of the things foreign visitors to Japan notice is the huge number of people with bad breath! Apparently, this halitosis has left many a foreigner visitor “disappointed” with the country, whatever that means…
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Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
We tried Japan’s Strawberry Daifuku? liqueur, one of three dessert-themed liqueurs
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Gohobi Melon Frappuccino really the ultimate melon Frappuccino?
This northern Tokyo capsule hotel is cheap, clean, comfortable, and has amazing amenities
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru releases new video and recording of “Traveling”【Video】
Weekly
- Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community- New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things- Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train- Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Gohobi Melon Frappuccino really the ultimate melon Frappuccino?
This northern Tokyo capsule hotel is cheap, clean, comfortable, and has amazing amenities
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru releases new video and recording of “Traveling”【Video】
Enjoy viewing Kyoto’s cherry blossoms from above on a guided zipline tour
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Looking for great sushi near Sapporo? Try this hidden restaurant in an airport souvenir shop
Train driver sues Japan Rail…over 56 yen for a one-minute delay
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Starbucks Japan’s new summer drinks deliver all the goodness of Matcha and Youthberry
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