There is all kinds of kissing all over the world, but traditionally, in Japan there has only been two kinds and they are the romantic kissing done by couples or kissing babies. Public displays of affection have always been frowned upon, and still are: a kiss on the lips is serious business.
Not to mention how unnaturally kissing comes to most Japanese. The moment for a romantic kiss on any Japanese drama looks excruciatingly uncomfortable, especially in comparison to the “eat each other up” passion of western dramas. The jidaigeki, or Japanese period dramas, feature absolutely no kissing. With this in mind, SK Planet Japan did a survey on 400 20 to 30-year-old men and women to find out young Japanese people’s views on kissing—which is actually pretty interesting considering that kissing has always been an almost taboo subject.
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Finnish design brand Iittala partners with Pokémon for a golden first collaborative tableware set
Busty Digimon anime figure not child-friendly enough for the West, now barred from sale overseas
Manga publisher stops shrink-wrapping collected volumes, sees huge sales jump from new policy
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Manga publisher stops shrink-wrapping collected volumes, sees huge sales jump from new policy
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Tokyo DisneySea’s new Fantasy Springs area reveals the beauty of Rapunzel’s Forest
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】