pieeeru81 - Japan Makes Sense

A foreign visitor finishes their meal at a Japanese restaurant and leaves some cash on the table as a tip. […]

The Art of Gift-Giving in Japan — Why the Wrapping Matters as Much as the Gift

Receiving a gift in Japan can be a surprising experience for foreigners. A carefully wrapped box. A noshi decoration on

One of the first things foreigners notice when they arrive in Japan is how often people bow. Shop staff bow

Foreigners who visit Japan tend to say the same thing. “The level of service is unbelievable.” Water appears at your

If you have spent time talking with Japanese people, you may have noticed something that feels puzzling. Someone clearly uncomfortable

You drop your wallet. You leave your phone on the train. You forget your bag at a café. In most

Life in Japan means encountering queues everywhere. At bus stops, on train platforms, at convenience store registers, outside popular ramen

Step onto an escalator in Japan and you will notice something unusual. One side is lined with people standing still.

One of the most disorienting experiences for foreigners in Japan is the bathhouse. Sharing a bathing space with strangers, without

In the Japanese summer, the sound of taiko drums fills the streets. People dressed in yukata move through the crowds.