Culture

Stabbing your chopsticks upright in rice, pouring your own drink, leaving food on your plate — small habits that carry big meaning in Japan. Food is a social ritual here, and knowing the etiquette shows more respect than any Japanese phrase you’ll learn. Here’s what you need to know before your next meal. Before You Eat Itadakimasu (いただきます) Say this before every meal. It means roughly “I humbly receive” — an expression of gratitude for the food, the cook, and everything that went into the meal. ...

Quick Answer Which Japanese language school is right for you? If you’re coming to Japan specifically to study Japanese full-time → an accredited Japanese language school (¥700,000–1,200,000/year, student visa). If you’re already living and working in Japan and want to improve → NOVA or a private conversation school (no visa required, ¥8,000–15,000/month, 300+ locations). If you want flexible self-study + speaking practice → online tutors on italki (¥1,500–4,000/hour, no commitment). The biggest mistake: choosing a full-time school when you just need conversation practice. ...

Japan has a dense set of unwritten public behavior rules that nobody tells you about when you arrive. Breaking them won’t get you arrested, but it will earn you looks — and it matters if you want to actually fit in. Here’s what foreigners most often get wrong. On the Train The rules of Japanese train etiquette are semi-legendary, and for good reason — 40+ million people use Tokyo’s train system every day. The system only works because everyone follows the rules. ...

Your neighbors noticed everything on your first day. In Japan, how you behave in your building and on your street matters more than most foreigners realize. Get the basics right early and you’ll avoid complaints, tension, and awkward confrontations. The Greeting Visit (引越し挨拶, Hikkoshi Aisatsu) When you move into a new apartment, visiting your immediate neighbors to introduce yourself is standard practice. Who to Visit The apartments directly above, below, and on either side Sometimes the building manager (管理人) When to Go Within the first few days of moving in Avoid early morning or late evening — try mid-morning or late afternoon on a weekend What to Bring A small gift: ...

New Year’s in Japan is nothing like New Year’s anywhere else. The streets go quiet, shrines fill up at midnight, and centuries-old traditions play out in ordinary neighborhoods. Here’s how to experience Oshogatsu the way it’s meant to be experienced. The New Year Timeline Date What’s Happening December 28–30 大掃除 (Osoji) — major home cleaning December 31 年越し (Toshikoshi) — New Year’s Eve; eat soba noodles January 1 元日 (Ganjitsu) — New Year’s Day; most important day January 1–3 初詣 (Hatsumode) — first shrine visit January 7 七草粥 (Nanakusa gayu) — rice porridge with 7 herbs January 11 鏡開き (Kagami-biraki) — break and eat the mochi offering Key Traditions 年越し蕎麦 (Toshikoshi Soba) — New Year’s Eve Noodles Long soba noodles eaten on December 31 before midnight. The length symbolizes a long life. Buy at any convenience store or restaurant — eating it while watching TV (Kōhaku Uta Gassen on NHK at 7pm) is the standard evening. ...

Sixteen public holidays per year — and some of them cluster together in ways that shut down entire cities. Knowing Japan’s holiday calendar isn’t just convenient, it affects your schedule, your travel plans, and your work life. Here’s a complete breakdown of every holiday and what it actually means day-to-day. Japanese Public Holidays 2025 Date Holiday (English) Holiday (Japanese) Jan 1 New Year’s Day 元日 (Ganjitsu) Jan 13 Coming of Age Day 成人の日 (Seijin no Hi) Feb 11 National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 Feb 23 Emperor’s Birthday 天皇誕生日 Mar 20 Vernal Equinox Day 春分の日 Apr 29 Showa Day 昭和の日 May 3 Constitution Day 憲法記念日 May 4 Greenery Day みどりの日 May 5 Children’s Day こどもの日 Jul 21 Marine Day 海の日 Aug 11 Mountain Day 山の日 Sep 15 Respect for the Aged Day 敬老の日 Sep 23 Autumn Equinox Day 秋分の日 Oct 13 Sports Day スポーツの日 Nov 3 Culture Day 文化の日 Nov 23 Labor Thanksgiving Day 勤労感謝の日 When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday (振替休日). ...

Japanese summer is intense — 35°C heat, crushing humidity, and a calendar packed with festivals, traditions, and events that most foreigners know nothing about. Once you understand what’s happening and why, summer in Japan becomes genuinely magical. Here’s your guide. Obon (お盆): Japan’s Most Important Summer Holiday Obon is a Buddhist tradition honoring the spirits of ancestors. It’s observed in mid-August (typically August 13–16, though some regions use July). For foreigners, the most noticeable effects are: ...

Japanese workplace culture has clear rules — but most of them are never written down. Hierarchy, after-work drinks, overtime expectations — these operate differently than in Western countries. This guide explains what to expect before your first day. Punctuality Means Something Different Here In most countries, showing up on time is fine. In Japan, showing up on time means you’re almost late. The unwritten rule: arrive 5–10 minutes early. Exactly on time feels slightly disrespectful to many Japanese colleagues. Late without notice is a serious problem. ...

Karaoke in Japan is not the public humiliation most Westerners imagine — it’s private rooms, cheap drinks, and one of the most fun social experiences the country offers. First-timers are always surprised. Here’s how to enjoy it from the moment you walk in. How Japanese Karaoke Works Enter and book — tell the front desk how many people and how long Get your room — private, soundproofed, with a TV, microphones, tambourines, songbooks Order drinks and food — via phone or tablet to the room Sing — search songs on the tablet, add to the queue, take turns or all sing together Pay when done — either on exit or extend your time Nobody is judged. The private room format means you sing for your friends, not a crowd. Even terrible singing is enthusiastically supported. ...

You will go to karaoke in Japan. It’s not optional. Your coworkers will invite you, your friends will drag you, and eventually you’ll go voluntarily. Japanese karaoke is nothing like the bar karaoke you might know — it’s private, it’s social, and there’s a whole system you need to understand. How Japanese Karaoke Works In Japan, karaoke is done in private rooms (カラオケボックス, karaoke box). You rent a room by the hour with a group, not sing on a stage in front of strangers. This makes it far less terrifying and far more enjoyable. ...