Japan has gone through a lot of changes in the past half-century. It emerged from the end of World War II willing to become a part of the international community, but not willing to give up some of its stranger quirks, some of which are part of the reason that we love it for today.
But some of those quirks are more annoying than others, and they’ve slowly faded away as people have realized they’re not really necessary. So with that in mind here’s the list of five things that were once taboo in Japan, but are now (mostly) okay today. Read on and find out if something you do would have once been frowned upon!
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Coming of Age Day costumer turns our 40-year-old reporter into a glammed up, garish Yankee【Pics】
Enjoy a taste of traditional Japan in self-operated Edo period cable car
Tiny house by Muji finally goes on sale in Japan
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s seijinshiki ceremony
Here’s what US$90 worth of katsu curry looks like at CoCo Ichibanya: A mountain of cutlets!
Fan makes functional Hatsune Miku digi-keytar
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
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
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Tiny house by Muji finally goes on sale in Japan
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s seijinshiki ceremony
Here’s what US$90 worth of katsu curry looks like at CoCo Ichibanya: A mountain of cutlets!
Fan makes functional Hatsune Miku digi-keytar
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Travel to a Japanese convenience store at an active volcano
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Bros? Kart? Party? Japanese gamers pick their top 5 Mario series
Secret unstaffed hot spring in Japan will make you feel like you’ve been spirited away
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli summer merchandise puts famous anime characters on Japanese fans and wind chimes