Why Smartphone Cameras in Japan Almost Always Make a Shutter Sound
In Japan, it often feels impossible to take a discreet photo with your smartphone—even if you bought the phone abroad. As soon as your device connects to Japan’s cell networks,…
What Do “Free Information Offices” Really Offer in Japanese Cities? How to Tell Them Apart from Tourist Information Centers
If you’ve ever walked through a bustling Japanese entertainment district at night—think Kabukicho in Tokyo, Susukino in Sapporo, or Sakae in Nagoya—you may have noticed brightly lit storefronts labeled “無料案内所”…
Is Putting on Makeup on Trains or Buses Truly Rude? Or Is the Real Problem the Social Pressure to Wear Makeup?
In Japan, applying makeup on public transport is one of those everyday actions that sparks surprising levels of debate. Some see it as an unforgivable breach of manners, while others…
Japan’s Garbage Separation Rules: A Patchwork That Varies by Ward
Navigating garbage rules in Japan can be surprisingly tricky—even within Tokyo’s 23 wards. Depending on where you live, the categories, bags, schedules, and procedures differ significantly. This article unpacks how…
How the “Ugly Japanese” Generation Views Japan’s Overtourism Today
When I ponder how the so-called “Ugly Japanese” generation—sometimes labeled as “Japanese Locusts”—feels about today’s overtourism in Japan, several threads emerge: nostalgia, awareness, and a wry sense of justice. Let…
When Train Photography Crosses the Line: Why Some Japanese Rail Fans Are Hated
Rail photography, or “toritetsu,” may sound like a harmless and wholesome hobby. Yet in recent years, it has become a growing social problem in Japan. While most train enthusiasts enjoy…
Why Do Japanese Office Workers Nod Off? The Distorted Employment System Born from Seniority-Based Culture
In Japan, it’s not unusual to see office workers dozing off—on trains, in the office, or even during meetings. This isn’t necessarily a sign of laziness. Instead, it reflects deeper…
Why Japanese People Feel Ashamed of Speaking Broken English: Unpacking Japan’s English Complex
Introduction: A Nation That Studies, But Rarely Speaks English 🇯🇵📘 Japan is one of the most English-educated non-English-speaking countries in the world. From elementary school through university, most Japanese people…
Japan’s “Quiet Trains” Are a Myth: Why Silence Only Reigns in the Morning
If you’ve ever ridden a train in Japan during morning rush hour, you may walk away believing that Japan has the quietest public transportation system in the world. Rows of…
Why So Few Japanese Opt for Orthodontic Treatment — And Delving into Japan’s Aesthetic Culture
As of August 4, 2025, orthodontic treatment in Japan is still often misunderstood, and its adoption remains dramatically lower than in many Western nations. Let’s explore whether orthodontics counts as…
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Why Only 17% of Japanese Hold Passports—and Why Young People Are Losing Interest in Traveling Abroad
