JapanUp! magazine

The Toy CarsWhen you look at traffic in Japan, you will notice something funny. Almost half of the cars on the road look like cute, highly-efficient toy boxes on wheels. They are incredibly small but surprisingly tall. What are they? The “Kei” StandardThese are “Kei Jidosha” (Light Vehicles), often just called K-cars. This is a unique vehicle category that only exists in Japan. To be classified as a Kei car, the vehicle must meet extremely strict legal limits on its physical size and its engine power (a tiny 660cc engine limit). Look at the License PlateYou can instantly identify a…

The Wall of DreamsWhen you visit a Shinto shrine in Japan, you will inevitably find a large wooden rack overflowing with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of small wooden plaques. Some have beautiful paintings of animals, while others are covered in handwritten text. What is an “Ema”?These wooden plaques are called “Ema” (which translates to “Picture Horse”). In ancient times, wealthy people would donate living, real horses to the gods when making a wish. Because normal people couldn’t afford a horse, they started offering wooden boards with a picture of a horse instead. Write Anything You Want!Today, you can buy an Ema…

The Tourist TrapRenting a beautiful Kimono or Yukata to walk around Kyoto is a dream for many tourists. Sometimes, tourists buy a cheap Yukata and try to put it on themselves in their hotel room. But beware: if you fold the fabric the wrong way, you might horrify the locals! The Curse of “Left-Over-Right”When wrapping the kimono around your body, you must ALWAYS bring the left side over the right side (so you can slip your right hand into the fold). If you do it the opposite way—bringing the right side over the left—you have just dressed yourself as a…

More Than Just CatsYou have probably heard of “Cat Cafes” where you can sip a latte while petting a fluffy kitten. Japan popularized this trend. But today, cats are just the beginning. Walking through Tokyo, you can find cafes filled with owls, micro-pigs, hedgehogs, and even giant capybaras! The Concrete Jungle CureWhy are these animal cafes so popular in Japan? It is because of the housing situation. Most people in cities live in small apartments where pets are strictly forbidden. These cafes provide stressed-out workers and students a rare chance to interact with animals and experience “Iyashi” (healing). Welcome to…