As a reader of RocketNews24, chances are you already have a pretty big soft spot for Japan. You may even already be living in the Land of the Rising Sun or have plans to fly out just as soon as circumstances allow.
But sometimes, even when we love a place with every fibre of our being, we just can’t stay forever. Family anxiously awaiting our return; work commitments; financial constraints and more mean that, at some point or other, many of us have to wave goodbye to Japan and return to our respective homelands.
Some of the things people miss about Japan will be immediately obvious, but others tend to sink in only a few weeks or months after returning home. Today, we’re taking a look at 21 of the little things, in no particular order, that Japan does so uniquely or so incredibly well that foreigners really start to pine for them once they finally say sayonara and head home.

One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Nintendo’s Kirby zooms into Japanese convenience stores Family Mart’s Super Satisfied Fest
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Eight fun fall origami designs!
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Star of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service now comes as a doll with four cute accessories
Convenience store fried chicken going into school lunches in Japan for Family Mart anniversary
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Eight fun fall origami designs!
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Star of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service now comes as a doll with four cute accessories
Convenience store fried chicken going into school lunches in Japan for Family Mart anniversary
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Häagen-Dazs Japan’s delicious mochi ice cream makes a comeback this fall
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Samurai’s severed head moved in Tokyo, earthquake occurs at his body in Ibaraki
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
New indie game The Exit 8 may make us never want to enter another Japanese subway station again
Line up in the hall, open your shirts, show your bras – Real instructions from one Japanese school
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
New anime train and bus ready to receive the love of Love Live! Sunshine!! fans in Shizuoka