Daily Life in Japan

The Perfect Shirakawa-go Travel Guide – Gassho Houses & Winter Magic

Tucked away in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most iconic rural destinations. Famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses—steep thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snow—it’s a place where time slows down and tradition lives on.The village is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and draws visitors year-round for its fairytale-like…
Nature Love in Japan | Japanese Culture Guide

Nature love is all around in Japan. What’s the history of Japan’s relationship with nature? And how can you immerse yourself in nature when you travel to Japan?
Top Relaxing Activities in Japan for Mind and Body

Do you want to return from your trip to Japan completely refreshed? Why not end your holiday with a day or 2 of these relaxing activities?
The 100 Yen Shop in Japan | Very convenient and very popular

The 100 yen shop (dollar store) is very popular in Japan. It is a convenient shop because you can find almost anything you are looking for, including great affordable souvenirs for foreign tourists. Let’s find out what they sell!
Happy New Year’s Day in Japan

Just like in other countries, Japan has its own way to ring in the new year and its own traditions on the first few days of January. Let us give you some travel tips for Japan in the first week of January!
Gambling in Japan

Although gambling is officially illegal in Japan, there are still ways to enjoy a wager. How do Japanese people enjoy a gamble, and how does that work with the law?
How Japan Generates Its Energy

Japan has historically relied heavily on nuclear energy generation until the 2011 disaster has shown the need for alternative power sources. Is renewable energy on Japan’s agenda? And what other resources are (still) used?
Happy Coming of Age Ceremony

You can do a lot of things once you become an adult, so many young people look forward to this event. In Japan, it is no different, and there is even a special day for new adults. Read more about what it means to turn of legal age in Japan.
High Tech Toilets in Japan

Toilets in Japan are some of the most advanced in the world. What are the newest functionalities? And what on earth is going on with those sound buttons in public toilets?
Earthquake Safety in Earthquake-prone Japan

How is earthquake damage mitigated in Japan, and what can you do yourself to stay as safe as possible in the rare event of a large earthquake?
Fun vending machines unique to Japan

What’s the deal with all those vending machines in Japan? And what can you buy from them? Learn more about the history and raison d’etre of these convenient parts of daily life in Japan.
Minimalism Glimpsed Everywhere in Japan

Minimalism has been linked with Japanese culture for a long time, and it goes back to even before Zen Buddhism emerged in Japan which made minimalism here to stay. Learn more about minimalism’s history, and how minimalism is alive today in Japan.
The Daily Life of Office Workers in Japan

Have you always wanted to know what a day in the life of a Japanese salaryman or office lady looks like? Read this first-hand account from a former salaryman from Japan.
Secret of High Economic Growth in Japan

The Japanese economy was booming in the mid-20th century. What were Japan’s opportunities that caused this economic boom?
School Life in Japan (16-22 years)

Being a high school student in Japan is not much about fun and very much about studying until you drop. But once you pass that dreaded entrance exam for university, your life will drastically improve.
Typical Housing in Japan | Unique Japanese Room Structure and Usage

While you will mainly see single-family homes in the more remote suburbs and in the countryside in Japan, in more central city areas the majority of people will live in apartments that are often not much larger than 60m2, or even smaller.
Tsunami and Typhoons | Natural Disasters in Japan

If you have followed the news a bit over the last few years, you probably already know that Japan is quite prone to certain natural disasters. Learn more about the rare tsunami and more common typhoons.
Pachinko | Flashy productions and hands-on gambling

Pachinko is a pinball-like game that is one of the few legal forms of gambling in Japan. How does the game work? And is it easy to play it as a foreigner?