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The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
- SoraNews24
Feb 19, 2026 - Tweet
Train etiquette can be hard to navigate for tourists, but locals need to watch their manners too.
- Japan
- (COK • etiquette • Japanese trains • manners • society • subways • tourism • train etiquette • train manners • train travel • trains • travel)
Paying for prostitution isn’t illegal in Japan, but it could be soon
- Casey Baseel
Feb 11, 2026
Ministry of Justice eyeing changes to Prostitution Prevention Law.
- Japan
- (COK • crime • law • prostitution • Prostitution Prevention Law • society)
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
- Casey Baseel
Feb 10, 2026
Japan is pissed off about the off-piste skiing.
- Japan
- (COK • foreign tourists • Hokkaido • outdoors • overtourism • rescue • skiing • snowboarding • society • sports • video)
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
- Casey Baseel
Feb 9, 2026
It’s a gray area in terms of travel etiquette, but JR has a clear stance on the topic.
- Japan
- (Central Japan Railway Company • COK • etiquette • Japan Railway • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • manners • society • tourism • trains • travel)
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
- Casey Baseel
Feb 9, 2026
Mr. Sato leads an office roundtable discussion on weird things Japanese schools have said “Nope, you can’t do that” about.
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
- Master Blaster
Feb 7, 2026
Have fun and feel annoyed at the same time!
- Japan
- (anger • annoying • COK • crazy • Dododo Land • events • exhibits • funny • museums • psychology • Shibuya • SNJO • social media • society • Tokyo • weird)
A robot joins the team at a fast-food restaurant, but in an unlikely city in northern Japan
- Elliot Hale
Feb 6, 2026
OriHime arrives at a local Mos Burger to test the future of inclusive work.
- Japan
- (accessibility • Avatar Robot Cafe • cafes • clever • COK • cool • disabilities • fast food • food • Iwate • Morioka • Mos Burger • OriHime • OryLab • restaurants • robots • society • technology)
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
- Oona McGee
Feb 5, 2026
The fate of the first to board has long been a problem in Japan, but this could be the solution.
- Japan
- (culture • elevator etiquette • elevators • etiquette • heartwarming • hospitality • Japanese etiquette • kindness • lift etiquette • lifts • manners • SNJO • society • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan)
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
- Krista Rogers
Feb 4, 2026
We investigate whether now is a good time to grab some beef cutlets in a popular tourist area of Tokyo.
- Japan
- (Akihabara • beef cutlets • China travel advisory • China travel warning • COK • food • Gyukatsu 123 • Japan travel • P.K. Sanjun • restaurants • SNJO • society • Tokyo • tourism • travel)
Japan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
- Casey Baseel
Feb 4, 2026
Some employers want to flip the script to indirectly get rid of workers they don’t want, company says.
- Japan
- (COK • crazy • job-quitting service • Momuri • society • weird • working in Japan)
Japan has abolished advance deportation notifications to foreigners’ lawyers
- Casey Baseel
Feb 3, 2026
16-year policy swept away with less than a week for transition.
- Japan
- (COK • crime • deportation • foreigners in Japan • immigration • Living in Japan • society)
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
- Casey Baseel
Feb 2, 2026
Local residents’ complaints about bad-mannered tourists prompt pledges from mayor to consider tighten regulations.
- Japan
- (Airbnb • COK • hotels • Japan travel • Kyoto • short-term rentals • society • tourism • travel)
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
- Casey Baseel
Feb 1, 2026
Participants also list other ways a guy can make up for vertical shortcomings.
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
- Casey Baseel
Jan 31, 2026
Statistics show overall situation is improving, but some at-risk individuals need more help than ever.
- Japan
- (mental health • society • suicide • youth)
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
- Casey Baseel
Jan 30, 2026
After 15 years of needing a doctor’s permission, women and teens in Japan can now buy emergency contraceptives over the counter, but still with some strings attached.
- Japan
- (birth control • contraceptives • emergency contraceptives • health • medecine • morning-after pill • pregnancy • society)
Chinese government tells citizens to not travel to Japan during Chinese New Year
- Casey Baseel
Jan 28, 2026
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Japan has too many criminals and earthquakes to be safe for Chinese people.
- Japan
- (China travel advisory • China travel warning • Chinese New Year • Japan travel • Lunar New Year • politics • society • tourism • travel)
Japanese young women reveal their top dealbreakers in a man【Survey】
- Elliot Hale
Jan 26, 2026
If you don’t pass this one simple check, you won’t even get past the starting line.
- Japan
- (cleanliness • COK • grooming • relationships • romance • society • survey)
Ikea Japan closing two downtown Tokyo flagship stores — Why couldn’t they make it in the big city?
- Casey Baseel
Jan 26, 2026
It’s not a total withdraw, but the chain’s downtown Tokyo footprint is going to get a lot smaller.
- Japan
- (COK • furniture • Harajuku • ikea • Ikea Harajuku • ikea japan • Ikea Shinjuku • Ikea Tokyo • interior • society)
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
- Casey Baseel
Jan 24, 2026
We head to one of Japan’s top travel destinations to see the situation and take cafe recommendations from a deer.
- Japan
- (China travel advisory • China travel warning • COK • deer • Hiroshima • Japan travel • Miyajima • politics • shrines • SNJO • society • tourism • travel)
These are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
- Elliot Hale
Jan 24, 2026
In the train-heavy Tokyo area, convenience is what matters most to prospective residents.
- Japan
- (COK • commuting • living • Living in Japan • society • Subway • subways • survey • Tokyo • trains • Yamanote • Yamanote line)
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Recent Posts
- Starbucks releases tear-jerking new video inspired by heartwarming encounters in Japanese stores
- Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
- Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
- Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
- The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
This beautiful Okinawa beach gives you the best of both worlds when visiting the prefecture [Pics]
Wagyu ramen for foreign tourists appears in Kabukicho, with a very high price tag
Weekly
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million- Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
Monthly
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
This beautiful Okinawa beach gives you the best of both worlds when visiting the prefecture [Pics]
Wagyu ramen for foreign tourists appears in Kabukicho, with a very high price tag
Shinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
Did you know? Only one Beard Papa’s in all of eastern Japan sells soft serve in a cream puff
Japan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains
Japanese cat island reveals all its cats will soon be gone
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Family Mart unleashes sweet cats in Japan for Cat Day, but do they taste as good as they look?
7-Eleven Japan adds new doughnut-like tonkotsu ramen fried chicken to its hot food section
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