cultural differences
Our Japanese-language reporter had his world turned upside down when his German wife commented on his childhood memories.
Japanese people dish on things foreigners told them that they’d never realized before about their home country.
None of the natives at this Canada Day celebration seemed to care, but in Japan, this would never happen.
Should I stay or should I go? A Japanese employee shares some insight from his American boss about when to take time to recuperate.
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A simple act leads to a deep discussion on important cultural values within Japan vs. outside countries and traditional gender roles.
Would these Finnish students be as successful if they’d gone through the Japanese school system instead?
Japanese tourists wearing everyday casual flu masks apparently caused upset amongst supermarket shoppers in British seaside town
Are you Japanese, American, Korean or Chinese when it comes to smartphone game transactions?
‘Tis the season for grumbling about cultural differences, but does it have to be?
There’s some things you just don’t do when you visit other places. You wouldn’t go around dissing the champagne in France, the pyramids in Egypt, or the Red Sox in Boston. Disrespecting a town or country’s claim to fame is liable to get you glares and maybe even fists from the locals.
And the same thing goes for Japan. Each region is very protective of its local specialties, so much so that they’ve created a Twitter hashtag to show everyone exactly what they should be wary of disrespecting if they visit.
As much as we all love Japanese anime and manga, we also have to admit that they can be a little… confusing. For almost all of us, there’s probably been a few times when watching a show or reading a manga that something happened to make you go, “Wait, what?”
Why is that guy’s nose bleeding? Why are they eating a “Christmas cake?” Our cultural misunderstandings can be pretty funny to the Japanese, so much so that they’ve been compiled into a book: If Japan’s So Safe Then Why Are There So Many Chikan? With all the questions in one place, Japanese netizens have stepped up to finally provide some potential answers.
Ready to finally clear up some of your anime misunderstandings? Read on to find out the answers!
These days, Japanese food is pretty widely consumed in the west, even if sometimes the original taste gets slightly lost in translation. In general, though, even non-Japanophiles can be found enjoying a range of Japanese food, whether at home or out for dinner with friends. Sushi is no longer shocking, and “comfort foods” such as okonomiyaki, ramen, and yakiniku can all be enjoyed overseas. But did you know that apparently we’re still making five major mistakes when it comes to Japanese cuisine? Read on to find out if you’re a major offender who doesn’t know their ikura from their elbow!
Take a look at this picture – what’s your first impression? Personally (and perhaps due to my prior experiences as a kindergarten teacher in Japan) my first thought was: “How convenient that must be when it comes to potty-training!”
These Chinese “split pants” are considered completely normal for children to wear in China, so when a Chinese-American parent took their little boy out to play in Monterey Park in Los Angeles, they surely weren’t expecting a concerned citizen to call the police on them.
Bonsai and sushi are two of Japan’s most well-known cultural exports with fans all over the world. But while Japan may cling to the traditional presentation of these two icons, globalization has taken these Japanese icons and turned them into something new. Not just happy with tiny trees and raw fish on top of vinegar rice, these cultural hybrids have evolved into something far beyond their origins in the Japanese archipelago. Click below to see some very creative bonsai as well as some food that really stretches the definition of “sushi.”
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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
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
- Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community- 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】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
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
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
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
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
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
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
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The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Tokyo’s most famous arcade announces price increase, fans don’t seem to mind at all
What do you eat when you catch a cold? We asked 11 of our Japanese reporters
Amazing photos of off-the-beaten-path Japanese castles to add to your travel wish list【Photos】
Starbucks releases a special sparkly tumbler in Japan to support diversity
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