Category: Etiquette & Culture
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Beautiful Soul
First, thank you to everyone abroad who has taken an interest in Japan and come to love it. I truly believe that everyone reading this blog is, at heart, a genuinely wonderful person. If all of you get to enjoy your trip to Japan, that makes me very happy. And thank you, always, for reading…
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Japan’s Gourmet Shaved Ice Boom
Kakigori: Japan’s Gourmet Shaved Ice Boom, and Where to Try It: Kakigori has existed in Japan for centuries as a simple summer treat, but over the past decade or so it’s transformed into something else entirely: a serious dessert category with dedicated specialty shops, long lines, and a genuinely devoted following. If you associate shaved…
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The Comfort You Experience in Japan
The sense of comfort and security that people experience when traveling in Japan, for example, the politeness of the Japanese people, a society where lost belongings are properly returned to their owners, the low level of theft and overall sense of safety, quiet streets and neighborhoods, cities free of litter, towns without graffiti, clean public…
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How to Use Taxis in Japan
A Practical Guide: Taxis in Japan are reliable, safe, and notably different in a few key ways from what many travelers are used to, from automatically opening doors to a firm no-tipping norm. This guide covers what you need to know before hailing or booking one. The Automatic Door Is Not Optional The single most…
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Climbing Mt. Fuji
A Complete Guide for First-Timers: Climbing Mt. Fuji is one of the most popular bucket-list experiences for visitors to Japan, and it’s genuinely achievable for reasonably fit travelers without technical mountaineering experience, provided you plan around the right season and pace yourself properly. This guide covers what you actually need to know before attempting it.…
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Escalator and Elevator Etiquette in Japan
Which Side Do You Stand On?: It’s a small thing, but standing on the wrong side of an escalator is one of the quickest ways to feel like you’ve made a rookie mistake in Japan, and it’s genuinely one of the more commonly searched practical questions from first-time visitors. This guide covers escalator sides, elevator…
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Japanese trains run on time
Ekiben Culture: Japan’s rail system isn’t just a way to get from A to B, it’s an experience in its own right, from the almost eerie punctuality to the small ritual of picking out a bento box before boarding. This guide covers two things worth knowing: how seriously Japan takes its train schedules, and why…
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How to Use a Japanese Toilet
A Complete Guide: Japanese toilets have a genuine reputation, and for once, the hype is deserved, though not always in the way first-time visitors expect. Between advanced washlet functions and the occasional traditional squat toilet, it’s worth knowing what you’re actually looking at before you’re standing in front of one trying to figure out the…
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Izakaya/Japanese Tapas
Japan’s Answer to the Neighborhood Pub: If your image of Japanese food starts and ends with sushi and ramen, an izakaya is where that picture gets a whole lot bigger. These casual, pub-style restaurants are built around small shared plates, drinks, and a relaxed, social atmosphere, and they’re one of the best ways to experience…
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How to Stay at a Ryokan
What to Expect: A ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, is one of the most memorable overnight experiences you can have in Japan, but the format is different enough from a typical hotel stay that first-timers often aren’t sure what to expect. This guide walks through the full experience, from check-in to check-out, so you can…
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Vending Machines in Japan
A Complete Guide: Japan has one of the highest densities of vending machines in the world, and they go well beyond the soda and snack machines familiar to most travelers. For visitors, they end up being a genuinely useful, low-effort resource throughout a trip, especially in a country where staying hydrated and having small cash…
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How to Visit a Shrine or Temple in Japan
Prayer Etiquette Explained: Shrines and temples are among the most visited spots on any Japan itinerary, but many travelers walk through the gate unsure of what they’re actually supposed to do once they’re inside. The good news is that the core steps are simple and easy to pick up quickly. This guide walks through exactly…