JapanUp! magazine

You might have “Dollar Stores” in your country, but Japanese “100 Yen Shops” (like DAISO, Seria, Can Do) are on a completely different level. They are not filled with cheap junk; they are treasure troves of high-quality, cleverly designed products. From ceramics and stationery to kitchen gadgets and cosmetics, the quality is often so high you won’t believe the price tag.

Get on a train in Japan, and you will see a shocking sight. Businessmen in suits are slumped over, heads bobbing, sometimes leaning completely onto the shoulder of the stranger next to them. Are they okay? Yes. They are practicing “Inemuri,” which translates to “sleeping while present.”

You just finished a bottle of Green Tea or a wrapper from a Rice Ball, and you look for a trash can. You look, and look… and realize there are none. Despite Tokyo being one of the cleanest cities in the world, public trash cans are almost impossible to find on the streets. For tourists, this is the biggest mystery (and frustration) of traveling in Japan.

If you see a giant blue penguin mascot and hear a catchy song playing on loop (“Don Don Don, Don Ki…”), you have arrived at Don Quijote (often called “Don Ki”). It is not just a store; it is a chaotic jungle of commerce. They sell EVERYTHING: Matcha KitKats, luxury Rolex watches, weird cosplay costumes, skincare products, and adult toys, all crammed into narrow aisles from floor to ceiling.

The first time you use a public restroom in Japan, you might think you’ve entered a cockpit. The seat is surprisingly warm (heated for your comfort), and the control panel on the side has more buttons than your TV remote. Do not panic. These high-tech “Washlets” are standard in Japan, found everywhere from hotels and department stores to subway stations.

If you see a giant blue penguin mascot and hear a catchy song playing on loop (“Don Don Don, Don Ki…”), you have arrived at Don Quijote (often called “Don Ki”). It is not just a store; it is a chaotic jungle of commerce. They sell EVERYTHING: Matcha KitKats, luxury Rolex watches, weird cosplay costumes, skincare products, and adult toys, all crammed into narrow aisles from floor to ceiling.

Japan is famous for its Onsen (hot springs), but if you have tattoos, you might face a harsh reality: a sign saying “No Tattoos Allowed.” Historically, tattoos in Japan were strongly associated with the Yakuza (organized crime syndicates). To keep bad elements out, bathhouses banned ink completely. Even today, despite tattoos being common fashion for tourists, many traditional Onsens strictly enforce this rule, regardless of whether it’s a giant dragon or a tiny butterfly.