Culture & Manners

When eating in Japan, the most fundamental tool at the table is the chopstick. But chopsticks in Japan are more […]

One of the things that surprises foreign visitors to Japan most consistently is the quality of the public toilets. Station

Foreigners living in Japan sometimes experience a moment of genuine puzzlement. Nobody said anything. No announcement was made. No instruction

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

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

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

One of the first words foreigners learn when they start studying Japanese is “sumimasen.” But once they begin living in