Japan Facts & Trivia: 10 Things Foreigners Should Know

by Facts From Locals Worldwide, Japan40 comments

If you have been following my updates on Facebook, you would know by now that in a week’s time, I’ll be heading to Japan for 3 weeks! I’m CRAZY excited about this trip because ever since I was a little girl, I always aspired to see and experience their culture — both the old and the new (yep, even the “odd” parts! And yep, I’m one of those people who love watching anime and reading manga.) [Japan Facts]

With that in mind, it follows of course that I would be featuring this wonderful country for this month’s Fun Facts from Locals Around the World‘!

Top Activities in Japan?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Japan which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Tokyo, Kyoto, and more!

First things first: contacting a local was a hard task since apart from the fact that I do not know any Japanese person (yet), there was also that language barrier (it’s no news that a lot of Japanese people don’t speak English). Thankfully, I remembered that I have a friend from university, Kaila, who had truly integrated herself into Japan after moving and living there for years!

Of course, Kaila is technically a foreigner, but we all know how expats can already have TONS of insight about the country they’re in — so they can already be regarded as locals (in a sense). That’s why I think that it still fits to present her thoughts here about Japan.

So below, you will see 5 interesting facts about Japan from Kaila. The rest of the 5? It will be written by her friend, Ashley, who also lives in Japan!

Take it away, girls!

RELATED READ: Sample Japan Itineraries

Bios & Intros

Kaila Ocampo

Konnichiwa! My name is Kaila Ocampo and I am a Kawaii Lifestyle Blogger both based in Japan and in the Philippines.

I have been living in Japan for almost 5 years now and I love sharing about Japan travel information, kawaii (cute) culture, and my other creative pursuits on my blog, Rainbowholic.

I am also the founder of JapanLover.me, an online portal / growing community of Japan Lovers around the world. Together with my Kawaii friend Ashley, we launched “OurKawaii.Tokyo”, a website that shares all things cute that you can experience in the Tokyo metropolis.

– – –

Ashley Dy

My name is Ashley Dy and I am the other half of OurKawaii.Tokyo. When I was a child, my dream is to travel the world and of course, that’s what I’m trying to do until now — slowly but surely. I blog about the essential part of my life at AshleyDy.com

I was born in Greenhills, San Juan, and spent most of my years in Manila as well. After which, I moved to Japan when I was 20 years old. Whilst in Japan, I’ve already lived in 3 prefectures, Hyogo, Osaka, and Kanagawa.

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities in the world. There are endless things to do — and they are most of the time available only for a limited time! …How can someone not love Tokyo? The people are mostly polite, the cutest things are also there, everything is fast and convenient. It’s definitely a dream come true!

Top Japan Facts & Trivia

1. “Kawaii” is considered as a lifestyle in Japan

Japan Facts: Kawaii Culture (Cosplayer)

Kawaii (cute) is almost a way of life. It’s pretty normal to have cuteness embedded in the Japanese people’s daily fashion and life in general. There are the cute bentos (packed lunch), Disney-fied Milk tea bottles, pig-shaped pork buns, Totoro cream puffs, promotional character mascots for each prefecture, and so much more.

As you can tell, “Kawaii” or cute culture surely contributes a lot to Japan’s economy. Wherever you go, there is a hint of “kawaii” in almost everywhere and everything.

For one thing, Tokyo never seems to run out of kawaii café ideas for cute lovers to visit! Some of these kawaii cafes are Kawaii Monster Café, Cinnamoroll Café, My Little Pony Café, Owl / Rabbit / Cat Cafés, Sailormoon café… and so much more.

Most of the time, companies market their products and services effectively by coming up with cute packaging designs (that will make you buy the product even if you find it useless, haha) or by having kawaii personalities as endorsers like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (dubbed as the Kawaii queen or princess of Japan).

2. There is no “best season” to travel in Japan…

Ninna-ji Temple (Kyoto)

…because ALL seasons have their unique experiences to offer!

Once you travel to Japan once, you will find yourself coming back and wanting to travel in all four seasons.

During the winter season, you can enjoy the illuminations that lit up the city with its rainbow-sparkling lights. You can go snowboarding or skiing in Nagano and have a relaxing time in a Japanese onsen (hot spring).

Experiencing cherry blossoms in Japan when it’s springtime should be included in every traveler’s #BucketList. There are the seasonal Starbucks Sakura lattes, hanami viewing (flower viewing) picnics in the parks, and lots of kawaii pink trees enveloping the country.

During Summer, you can go and visit Hokkaido for its famous flower fields (lavender, sunflower, etc.). And all over Japan, many people dress up in yukata and attend Japanese festivals with their friends and family.

Experiencing a Japanese festival even for once in your life is truly an unforgettable memory. Imagine a row of food stalls, festival games, and fireworks display afterward. Even if Japanese summer is sometimes unbearable because of the heat, you can always munch on the yummy kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) being sold in Japanese matsuris (festivals).

Autumn in Japan is also a breathtaking encounter for any traveler. Not too cold and not too warm; it is just right to go and have a spontaneous adventure in Kyoto. For photography enthusiasts and photo bloggers, autumn in Kyoto will absolutely mesmerize you. You can also have a maiko (apprentice geiko) makeover experience while you’re in the heart of Japan.

These are just a few of my recommendations. As you can tell, it’s so hard to answer the question “When is the best season to travel in Japan?” because Japan has thousands of things to offer for a wide-eyed traveler!

3. When in Japan, do as the Japanese do

Japan Train Etiquette

Before coming to Japan, do learn about their manners first.

In Tokyo, people stay at the left of the escalator if they are not in a hurry to make way for those who want to go up first. Inside the trains, it’s advisable not to cause hassle for others or converse in a loud voice. In other areas and shops, photography is prohibited (you would know if there is a sign) so it’s best to ask for permission first if you don’t want to be called out publicly.

Here’s a helpful page where you can learn about the other manners every foreigner should know before coming to Japan first.

4. You can enjoy tax-free shopping in Japan by bringing your passport with you

Harajuku : Japan Itinerary

Yep, you can shop until you drop without breaking a bank!

If you are planning to shop at the major department stores or gadget stores, it is advisable to bring your passport with you so you can get reimbursement for the 8% consumption tax.

Here’s a tax-free shop locator guide that might be helpful: [ click ] Besides tax-free shops, there are vintage shops or thrift stores in Japan as well! If you love second-hand goods, books, and magazines, BOOK OFF is a great place to shop.

5. Japan is super safe, but there can be… weird scenarios

Tokyo Itinerary

Though it is super safe in Japan (crime-wise and besides, people do NOT really steal here), be warned that you might encounter weird scenarios or circumstances during your stay.

Japan may be a safe place to leave your bags on your chair while you go to the toilet, but it’s not really a completely safe place if you’re a woman. Wondering why Japanese smartphones cannot have a silent camera even when it’s on silent mode? It’s because of the “upskirting” practice done by perverts (a.k.a. “Chikan”).

Also, there might be times that your train gets delayed for 30 minutes. If that happens and you hear “passenger injury (jinshin jiko)” being announced, it might be because somebody passed out inside the train or… somebody jumped off in front of the train.

Anyway, these are just isolated cases so you do not have to worry so much. Even if Japan appears to be a perfect first-world country because of the notable cleanliness, efficiency, culture, manners, and so much more, just like any other country; it has its own share of cons as well.

6. Japan has best transportation system (in the world!)

JR Bullet Train Shinkansen

You can easily travel anywhere via train!

TIP: Get a JR Pass. It’s like an unlimited pass to anywhere using JR (government-owned) trains if you want to maximize your trip by traveling to lots of prefectures (that’s what they call their regions in Japan).

Only tourists are allowed to use this, so you are very lucky if you are! Normally a round trip fare from Osaka to Tokyo is worth $250. Imagine how many places you can visit within 7 days if you have a JR Pass!

You can buy your JR Pass online here.
– 7 day JR Pass: $243
– 14 day JR Pass: $387

7. Fukubukuro (lucky bags) season is the best time to go shopping in Japan

Japan Facts: Fukubukuro (Lucky Bags)

It happens every first week of January and the Japanese go CRAZY for it! Some stores start on the first day, some on the second due to their New Year traditions — it depends. So if you have a specific store in mind, check their website about their schedule first.

The best and worst area to go shopping in is actually Tokyo. It’s the best since most brands have a store in Tokyo, but it is also the worst since it is cramped with people. They line up so early (it’s freezing in January mind you), just for this sale.

TRIVIA: The KonMari method of cleaning by Kondo Marie is actually a New Year’s tradition for the Japanese. They do general cleaning, they keep things that they want, and throw the unnecessary before New Year. This was picked up by the retail businesses of course so they took this opportunity for a New Year’s / Lucky bags sale (wherein they put random items and sell at a lower price).

8. MYTH: Japan is “expensive”

Heian Shrine

It might be true 5-6 years ago when I moved to Japan; but recently, everyone could just afford to go to Osaka or Tokyo. There are lots of LCCs (Low Cost Carriers) that fly to Japan’s main cities. The chances of getting a cheap shared dorm room or AirBnB are also endless.

How to survive in Tokyo? The answer is konbini (convenience store). It’s the best place to get fast and cheap food. Your ¥1000/$8-10 (depends on the exchange rate) can get you far.

What else could you do in a convenience store? You can buy your tickets to theme parks in advance, you can withdraw cash from their ATM (if your bank allows international use), use FREE internet, read manga while waiting, etc.

9. Japanese people are proud of their country

Kyoto Itinerary

They love their culture, their people, their customs, their country, their food, and so much more!

They are also usually proud of their “unique” traits for something as meager as using the chopsticks really well. So don’t be shocked or don’t feel offended if someone greeted you that you are good or bad at using chopsticks — it’s just their way of starting conversations.

10. Fun and unique yearly ‘traditions’

Fushimi Inari

Aside from what I stated earlier about New Year traditions of cleaning up and buying lucky bags, they have a lot more such as The Coming of Age Day which is celebrated every second Monday of January. Its purpose is to officially celebrate everyone who turned 20 (the legal age in Japan).

Another famous (yet ridiculous) tradition in Japan is to have KFC chicken for Christmas. Since Japanese people are mostly Buddhist, Shintoist, or both, they are not supposed to have a Christmas celebration — but due to commercialism, they are actually celebrating it now. Though… it’s mostly for couples dating (like how we usually celebrate Valentine’s Day).

• • •

» Top Japan Tours «

Robot Restaurant Show

Robot Restaurant Show
See this famous show in Tokyo!

Kimono Rental

Kimono Rental
Try out Japan’s traditional kimono for a day!

• • •

Japan Facts

Overall

If you’re from Japan or an ‘expat’ in Japan like Kaila and Ashley, do you agree with these Japan facts that they wrote about? Maybe you have something to add, too?

If you ask me, since I’m such a HUGE fan of Japan, these are all points that I already know and agree to!

• • •

Have you seen my latest vlog?

How I Afford to Travel the World (Vlog)

About Me

About Aileen : Sidebar

Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid.
At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful digital nomad (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

My mission? To show you how it is absolutely possible to create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

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40 Comments

  1. Anita Hendrieka

    This is bringing back all my Japan memories!! I love Japan so much and totally agree with you when you say there is not a specific time you should visit here because it’s beautiful all year round!

    Reply
    • Aileen

      This is why I hope to visit it during all seasons! :D

      Reply
  2. Kristen

    Great post! thanks for the tips. Im going to Japan in March 2017 and I’m so excited, I’m just stressing over buying the air plane ticket though! haha

    Reply
    • Aileen

      Glad you like it! I’ll be putting up more articles soon too about guides to Japan so watch out for those :D (Good luck on the cheap ticket hunt ;)

      Reply
  3. Neil

    Great tips! I had always thought Japan was super expensive, but recently learned that it was fairly cheap to get around and eat. Was that your experience as well?

    Reply
    • Aileen

      I’m currently here in Japan and I can attest that it’s much like Europe — it seems expensive but if you know where to stay and eat, you can stay within your travel budget. There’s AirBnBs here in Japan and there are also “konbinis” (convenience stores) that offer meals at very affordable prices!

      Reply
  4. Maggie

    Such a lovely blog! I’m glad I stumbled on it while browsing the web. Looking forward to read more of your posts in the future.

    Reply
    • Aileen

      Thanks! I’m happy to hear that, Maggie!

      Reply
  5. Essie

    I’ve never been super big on Japan or the Japanese culture but EVERYTHING in this post appealed to me. I have a cousin who is super into it though, so I learned a few things from her but when she said the only place she ever wants to visit outside the US is a Japan I was like, “you can go by yourself.” Now I think I’m changing my tune. It’s not ALL hello kitty, lol!

    Such a good post. :)

    Reply
    • Aileen

      Oooh you should absolutely know that there’s more to Japan than hello kitty! Haha ;) Think geishas, FOOD, samurais, ryokans, onsens, temples, shrines, kimonos, aaaah I can go on and on haha. I hope you get to come visit it soon — I bet you will love it!

      Reply

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