EXPLORE JAPAN

A clean everyday street in Japan

Why Are There So Few Trash Cans in Japan?

Japan’s streets can be remarkably clean, yet public trash cans aren’t always easy to find. Here’s what visitors should know about dealing with rubbish while exploring Japan.

Why Are There So Few Trash Cans in Japan?

Japan’s streets can be remarkably clean, yet public trash cans aren’t always easy to find. Here’s what visitors should know about dealing with rubbish while exploring Japan.

A Japanese street in autumn with a seasonal Tsukimi Burger display

What Is "Tsukimi"? From Moon Viewing to Japan’s...

From moon viewing and tsukimi dango to egg-topped autumn burgers, discover how an old Japanese seasonal tradition still appears in everyday life today.

What Is "Tsukimi"? From Moon Viewing to Japan’s...

From moon viewing and tsukimi dango to egg-topped autumn burgers, discover how an old Japanese seasonal tradition still appears in everyday life today.

A vending machine on an everyday street in Japan

Why Japan Has Vending Machines Everywhere

Vending machines are part of the everyday landscape in Japan. Look beyond what they sell, and you’ll start to notice how naturally they fit into streets, neighborhoods and daily life.

Why Japan Has Vending Machines Everywhere

Vending machines are part of the everyday landscape in Japan. Look beyond what they sell, and you’ll start to notice how naturally they fit into streets, neighborhoods and daily life.

A neighborhood koban police box in Japan

What Is a Koban? Japan’s Neighborhood Police Box

You may have walked past one without knowing what it was. A kōban is Japan’s neighborhood police box — a small but useful part of the local streetscape.

What Is a Koban? Japan’s Neighborhood Police Box

You may have walked past one without knowing what it was. A kōban is Japan’s neighborhood police box — a small but useful part of the local streetscape.

Inside an everyday supermarket in Japan

Why Japanese Supermarkets Feel Different

Japanese supermarkets offer a quiet look into everyday life — from seasonal ingredients and prepared meals to the ordinary things people take home for dinner.

Why Japanese Supermarkets Feel Different

Japanese supermarkets offer a quiet look into everyday life — from seasonal ingredients and prepared meals to the ordinary things people take home for dinner.

Japanese signs and shops on an everyday street in Japan

Japanese You’ll Actually Use: 10 Small Phrases ...

You don’t need fluent Japanese to make everyday moments a little easier. These 10 simple phrases are ones you can actually listen for and use while travelling in Japan.

Japanese You’ll Actually Use: 10 Small Phrases ...

You don’t need fluent Japanese to make everyday moments a little easier. These 10 simple phrases are ones you can actually listen for and use while travelling in Japan.