Understand Japanese customs, traditions, and everyday etiquette to travel respectfully and confidently in Japan.
How to Use an Onsen in Japan: Bathing Etiquette, Private Baths & 5 Famous Hot Spring DestinationsNew!!
Japan's hot springs, known as onsen, are much more than places to take a bath. They offer a chance to relax, appreciate nature, and experience one of Japan's most distinctive cultural traditions. From open-air baths surrounded by mountains to historic hot spring towns and unusual sand baths, Japan offers an extraordinary variety of onsen experiences. […]
Akihabara for Beginners: Discover Tokyo's Anime and Otaku CultureNew!!
Step outside Akihabara Station in Tokyo, and you will find yourself surrounded by colorful anime billboards, electronics stores, game arcades, and shops filled with character figures and collectibles. But what if you are not a dedicated anime fan? What if you have heard about Japan's otaku culture but have no idea where to start? The […]
How to Use Chopsticks in Japan: A Beginner’s Guide to Holding Them and Dining EtiquetteNew!!
During a trip to Japan, you will encounter chopsticks in many places, from ramen shops and soba restaurants to traditional Japanese restaurants and izakaya pubs. Chopsticks are one of the most recognizable parts of Japanese food culture. But if you have never used them before, picking up food with two slender sticks may feel surprisingly […]
Yakiimo in Japan: Discover the Sweet, Warm Comfort of Japanese Roasted Sweet PotatoesNew!!
When traveling around Japan in autumn or winter, you might notice warm roasted sweet potatoes for sale at supermarkets, specialty shops, or street stalls. They are called yakiimo (焼き芋), a simple Japanese treat made by slowly roasting sweet potatoes. There is usually no need for sugar, syrup, or cream. Just a sweet potato, carefully cooked […]
Japanese Fireworks Festivals: A Year-Round Guide to Hanabi in JapanNew!!
If you are planning a trip to Japan, watching a fireworks festival could become one of your most memorable experiences. Fireworks are called hanabi (花火) in Japanese, literally meaning "fire flowers." Imagine brilliant colors spreading across the night sky, powerful sounds echoing over a river or lake, and crowds gathering to enjoy a special evening […]
Japanese Vending Machines & Canned Coffee: A Small Taste of Everyday JapanNew!!
Many travelers visit Japan looking forward to sushi, ramen, temples, shrines, and cherry blossoms. But some of Japan's most interesting experiences are hidden in everyday life. Even an ordinary vending machine on a street corner can offer a small cultural discovery. As you explore Japan, you may notice drink vending machines near train stations, in […]
How to Experience Sumo in Japan: Tournaments, Morning Practice, and Visitor Etiquette
Two enormous sumo wrestlers face each other on a clay ring. The arena falls silent. Then, in an instant, they collide with astonishing force. The cheers of the crowd, the salt scattered across the ring, the intense concentration before a match, and the explosive action that may last only a few seconds all make sumo […]
How to Use an Onsen in Japan: Rules, Etiquette, and Tips for First-Time Visitors
Imagine soaking in a warm outdoor bath while snow falls gently around you, or relaxing in a hot spring surrounded by the brilliant colors of autumn. Visiting an onsen is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Japan. But if it is your first time, you may have a few questions. Do […]
Shrine and Temple Etiquette in Japan: A Visitor's Guide
Japan is home to thousands of beautiful shrines and temples, from quiet neighborhood sanctuaries to world-famous landmarks. You may already have Meiji Jingu (Tokyo), Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine, Mie Prefecture), Izumo Taisha (Shimane Prefecture), Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo), or Todai-ji Temple (Nara Prefecture) on your travel itinerary. Ise Jingu is also affectionately known as […]
How to Use Japanese Toilets: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
Japan is famous for its clean, comfortable, and surprisingly high-tech toilets. For many international visitors, using a Japanese toilet for the first time can be an unexpected cultural experience. Some toilets have heated seats, built-in bidets, automatic lids, and control panels filled with unfamiliar Japanese characters. Others are simple, traditional squat toilets. The good news? […]