Official city survey highlights the issues that left some visitors less than satisfied with their Kyoto experience.
Japanese etiquette
The fate of the first to board has long been a problem in Japan, but this could be the solution.
Difference between Tokyo and Osaka kicks off a nationwide debate on Japanese miso placement etiquette.
Model daughter of former SMAP member gets caught up in controversy involving shoes and kimono.
Seductive poses criticised for being disrespectful to Japanese culture.
Onsen etiquette can be confusing for a foreigner visiting for the first time, and there are many small rules and customs that even many Japanese people aren’t quite clear on. There aren’t usually any written instructions around the baths as it is expected that everyone will already know the basic customs surrounding communal bathing. This means that things people who have grown up in Japan take for granted, such as putting your shoes in a locker when you arrive or knowing which towels to use for what, can be hard to figure out for first-timers, and your supposedly relaxing spa break can become a little bit stressful.
Check out the video below to see how our Japan Wish competition winner Ashley navigated her first ever trip to an onsen and see if she found it relaxing…or stressful!
One of the first things you notice when you visit Japan is how nice and polite everyone seems to be. Shop staff bow to you, people greet you in the hotel lobby, even the guy at the combini sprints across the store to open up the second register when there’s more than one person waiting to be served.
But spend any prolonged amount of time here and you’ll realise that there are plenty of rude people here too (just like in the rest of the world…). And there are even a few niceties we in the west generally perform as a matter of habit that just aren’t part of the Japanese way of doing things.
So just how are Westerners unintentionally schooling the Japanese in manners?
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Japan’s favorite popsicles add multilingual packaging to better connect with foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
We tried Starbucks Japan’s new coffee for people who don’t drink coffee
Weekly
- Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
- Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data- Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]- Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Sweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
We tried Starbucks Japan’s new coffee for people who don’t drink coffee
Is covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
Japan’s Super Volunteer, 86-year-old Haruo Obata, heads to the Kumamoto earthquake site
Coco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
Japanese popsicle experiment says eating one before going outside in summer helps keep you cool
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Daiso now sells stress-relief punching bags, but are they worth beating on?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
-
