You may have heard that tattoos are not very welcome in Japan—especially at onsen (hot springs) or swimming pools. And yes, most of the time, that’s correct. Flash a tattoo at the entrance and you’ll likely be turned away faster than you can mumble sumimasen in embarrassment. But why? In much of the world, tattoos…
At first glance, 7-Eleven looks like the ultimate American brand. Neon logo, Slurpees, hot dogs spinning on rollers since the Cold War — it’s all red, white, and blue convenience. But plot twist: today, 7-Eleven is Japanese. Yes, the global king of late-night snacks is run out of Tokyo, not Texas. So technically, every time…
Behind the serious facade of Japan’s government, international media and comedians have often picked up on its stranger-than-fiction moments — from revolving-door prime ministers to bizarre scandals. Here’s how Japan’s politics gets the comedy treatment overseas. The Prime Minister Turnstile ” Japan changes prime ministers like I change socks. “– Common Reddit joke during the…
I’d say Uniqlo is now one of Japan’s global icons—right up there with samurai, sushi, and anime. You think it’s just another fast fashion brand? No, no, no! Uniqlo doesn’t stir up environmental or labor scandals like some brands that have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead, it quietly dominates. In fact, the…
As it’s widely known that Japan is an earthquake-prone country. I’ve lived through quakes of all sizes — and let me tell you, there’s no such thing as “getting used to it”. But hey, as long as you are in Japan, you can’t always hug your futon like a life raft. You need to know…
I often witness situations like my overseas friends saying, “Ewww, you eat that?!” or politely refusing a sweet snack I offer. As you may know, Japanese food culture is often linked to our long life expectancy. We consume a lot of fermented foods like natto and miso, soy-based products, and of course, fish. You can…
Not into anime? No worries—I’m not here to give you a full-on nerd fest about every detail of the Japanese anime world. Frankly, I can’t, because anime otaku overseas know every little nuance of their favorite series already. But the popularity of Japanese anime is absolutely insane, and I’m genuinely curious about what makes these…
Have you ever wondered which country lives the longest? You’ve probably seen articles or TV programs about it—and Japan almost always shows up at the top. But why does Japan have such a high life expectancy? I’ve been curious about that myself. Is it really true? Many people say it’s because of the food. That…
Whether you’re gearing up for a whirlwind vacation or plotting a full-on life swap, here are some insider nuggets to get you ready. If you’re looking for the things to know before going to Japan, you’re in the right place. With these tips, you’ll navigate Japanese culture and etiquette without losing your mind. Some reveal…
We all want to make our trips special and unforgettable, right? I’ve traveled to several countries with a spontaneous, go-with-the-flow style—minimal planning, just pack what I can think of, and off I go. It felt cool and adventurous… until I landed in places thinking, “Why didn’t I research more?” Now older (and hopefully wiser), I’ve…