The Japanese are known for their politeness, so it’s only natural that visitors to Japan want to know what to do, or not do, to avoid appearing rude. Check out this list of little behaviors that you won’t find in your guidebook.
faux pas
We asked Japanese people to tell us the things foreigners say or think about Japan that really gets their goat—and they were happy to oblige! How many of these faux pas are you guilty of?
MOST POPULAR
Now
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Japanese sangria is the most refreshing drink you’ll have all week【Recipe】
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Find a red envelope on the ground? Here’s why you should never pick it up
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo- All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】- Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
One of Tokyo’s most famous meeting-spot landmarks is closing for good
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Japanese sangria is the most refreshing drink you’ll have all week【Recipe】
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Find a red envelope on the ground? Here’s why you should never pick it up
Are you faster than a 90-year-old? Japan’s Turbo Granny still smashing records
How to avoid queues at this Ichiran ramen restaurant in Japan
Muscly Japanese men fill stock photo site with hilarious poses in unusual settings
Our visit to the coolest Book Off used Japanese book store that we’ve ever seen
Massive-variation new Pikachu plushie line lets you find the perfect Pikachu just for you
Is Japan’s massive Shizuoka steak sandwich really as delicious as it looks in promo photos?
Kyoto’s uniquely beautiful New Year’s tradition is being carried on by Starbucks Japan【Photos】
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
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