surnames
When we think of an Asian country where many people have the same last name, Korea usually comes to mind. With just 250 surnames in use, half the Korean population bears one of three names: Kim, Lee or Park. Compare that to Japan that has over 100,000 surnames. So when we hear of a place in Japan where over 20 percent of the people share the same last name, it’s enough to pique our curiosity.
Meet the Amanos: Amano-san the ferry port manager and Amano-san the grocer; Amano-san who owns the liquor shop and Amano-san who serves curry lunches; Amano-san the plumber and Amano-san the carpenter. They’re all different people who live on the same small island and who, believe it or not, are not related.
How can this be? We bet you can’t guess why!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
10 Japanese expressions that sound delightfully strange and funny when translated
Weekly
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
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?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Monthly
- 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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
10 Japanese expressions that sound delightfully strange and funny when translated
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Japanese bathroom has a clever countermeasure for guys who pee on the floor at the urinal【Photos】
-
