JapanUp! magazine

The American Leftover Paradise In the United States, restaurant portions are famously massive, and taking your leftovers home in a “doggy bag” or a styrofoam box is a completely standard practice. Whether it is half a pizza, a giant steak, or even a bowl of soup, Americans love saving their food for tomorrow’s lunch. However, if you try asking a waiter in Japan for a takeout box for your half-eaten meal, you will almost certainly be met with a very polite but firm “No.” Many foreign tourists are completely shocked by this strict refusal, assuming the restaurant is just being…

The Sea of Black and Navy If you work in Los Angeles, business casual is the golden rule. Tech CEOs wear hoodies, and marketing managers wear jeans and sneakers to the office. But if you step out of a major train station in Tokyo like Shinjuku or Marunouchi during rush hour, you will be met with a massive, perfectly synchronized sea of black, navy, and dark grey. Almost every single office worker (Salaryman) and businesswoman is wearing a sharp, formal suit. In Japanese corporate culture, wearing a suit is not just about looking nice for a meeting; it is considered…

A Land of Living History The United States is a young, vibrant nation with a history of about 250 years. In the fast-paced business world of Los Angeles or Silicon Valley, a company that lasts 50 years is considered a legend. But when you look at Japan, the scale of time is completely different. Shockingly, about 40 to 50% of all companies in the world that are over 200 years old are located in Japan! There are thousands of Japanese businesses that were already thriving long before the United States was even founded. From the world’s oldest hotel (Nishiyama Onsen…

The Concept of the Mini-Onsen For many travelers visiting Japan, the famous “Onsen” (hot spring) culture can be a bit intimidating. The idea of getting completely naked in front of strangers can be a major psychological hurdle. This is where “Ashiyu” (foot baths) come to the rescue. An Ashiyu is a small, public pool of hot volcanic spring water designed specifically for soaking only your feet and ankles. You can find them in city parks, outside train stations in mountain towns, and even at some luxury hotels. It is the ultimate “lite” version of the Japanese onsen experience, requiring zero…

More Than a Simple Nod In the United States, a greeting is usually physical and vocal—a firm handshake, a friendly “Hello,” or a casual nod of the head. But in Japan, the most vital form of communication is “O-jigi” (bowing). To a visitor, it might seem like people are just constantly nodding at each other, but bowing is actually a highly sophisticated non-verbal language. The depth, speed, and timing of a bow communicate everything from a simple “thanks” to a profound apology or deep professional respect. In a society that values “Wa” (harmony), mastering the geometry of the bow is…