You have just finished an amazing Sushi dinner. The service was impeccable, the tea was constantly refilled, and the staff smiled the whole time. Naturally, you reach for your wallet to leave a 20% tip. Don’t do it.
View More Why You Can’t Bring Big Suitcases on the Bullet Train Anymore
You have just finished an amazing Sushi dinner. The service was impeccable, the tea was constantly refilled, and the staff smiled the whole time. Naturally, you reach for your wallet to leave a 20% tip. Don’t do it.
View More The “Library Rule”: Why Japanese Trains Are So Silent
You have just finished an amazing Sushi dinner. The service was impeccable, the tea was constantly refilled, and the staff smiled the whole time. Naturally, you reach for your wallet to leave a 20% tip. Don’t do it.
View More Why Are You Being Stared At? The “Women-Only Car” Trap
You have just finished an amazing Sushi dinner. The service was impeccable, the tea was constantly refilled, and the staff smiled the whole time. Naturally, you reach for your wallet to leave a 20% tip. Don’t do it.
View More Stop! Please Do Not Tip: The Beautiful Culture of “Omotenashi”
f you walk into a Starbucks in Tokyo, you might witness a scene that would give a New Yorker a heart attack. A customer gets up to go to the bathroom or order a drink, and they leave their brand new MacBook or iPhone sitting on the table to “save their seat.”
View More Shocking Safety: Why Japanese People Leave Their iPhones on Cafe Tables!
There are approximately 4 million vending machines in Japan. That’s about one machine for every 30 people! You can find almost anything in them: hot coffee in a can, cold green tea, corn soup, banana shakes, and in some regions, even “Dashi” (soup stock) or flying fish.
View More Why Japan Has 4 Million Vending Machines!
When you walk through the streets of Tokyo, you might feel like there is a convenience store (Konbini) on every single corner. With over 55,000 stores across the country, they are indeed everywhere. However, there is another type of shop that vastly outnumbers them: Hair Salons.
View More Surprising Fact: There Are More Hair Salons Than Convenience Stores in Japan!
Learn Japanese word with us!
View More Iwau (祝う) -“Celebrate” or “Congratulate” / Japanese Word
Raichō Hiratsuka (real name: Haru Hiratsuka) was born in 1886 in Tokyo into a wealthy, privileged family during Japan’s Meiji era. At that time, women were expected to conform to the societal model of ryōsai kenbo — the “good wife, wise mother. ” This philosophy shaped the entire education system for girls, emphasizing domestic skills such as sewing, child-rearing, and obedience, rather than intellectual development or professional ambitions.
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Raichō Hiratsuka
What is Shochu? Shochu is a spirit that features a variety of traditional ingredients drawn from Japan’s long history, offering a wide range of appealing aromas and flavors. There are two main types of Shochu: authentic Honkaku Shochu (single-distilled) and the more neutral-tasting Korui Shochu (multiple-distilled). Honkaku Shochu is crafted from a diverse array of raw, flavorful ingredients. Its alcohol by volume (ABV) typically ranges from 20% to 30%, which is lower than that of many other spirits worldwide. However, the aromas produced by different ingredients and distillation methods give Honkaku Shochu a truly memorable character. Let’s explore some of…
View More Shochu 101: From Classic Sips to Modern Cocktails
Shimokitazawa in Tokyo’s Setagaya City. Unique shops come together in this town that fosters a culture of originality.
View More Anime Place 2024
Shigenobu Okuma was one of the key figures in shaping modern Japan. He played a role in establishing the yen as the country’s currency, introduced Japan’s first railway, adopted the solar calendar, and developed the postal system.
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Shigenobu Okuma