Japan Unwritten

Valentine’s Day in Japan Valentine's Day and White Day's Origin Imagine if the roles were reversed on Valentines Day. Where the ladies of the relationships were the ones who had to make the moves, and the men didn’t have to pretend they forgot or “aren’t good at this sort of thing.” Valentine's Day in Japan is exactly that.  After the end of the second world war a western style chocolate company called Mary's in Japan introduced the idea of Valentine's Day. They started the association of February 14th as a day for women to give gifts to the men they like. The men got to see how popular they are by comparing how much chocolates they got from different people. And the women get to feel empowered because they get to take the reins and initiate something if their crush wouldn't get the hint. Or that was the idea back then. The tradition further became popularized by other companies and it became a full fledged commercial holiday. The holiday later evolved into some...

Gestures in Japan In many cultures our hands tell stories. From saying hello to a friend, to getting a thumbs up from a parent. Gestures are the easy way to communicate a thought or a feeling. Japan is a culture that values harmony and respect. A gesture here is worth a thousand words. Tourists do what they can to learn the basics of a language before traveling. But sometimes the words don’t immediately come to mind. Below are five useful gestures that would be good to know to get around when the words in Japanese fail us. Cultural Side Note. People in Japan avoid speaking in a direct or frank manner. When two people talk to each other they try to broach the subject of sensitive topics in a way that seems gentle. This is to avoid making the other person uncomfortable. No one in Japan wants to be seen as aggressive or confrontational. People speak indirectly rather than speak on something directly. One example of this kind of scenario is if a customer wants to return something. It might...

Is it okay to eat while we walk? Angry sister eating ice cream Last April, my sister visited me in Japan for the first time. While showing her around Arashiyama Sengen Park, we got some soft-serve from some nearby food trucks. When I told her we shouldn't eat while walking and suggested sitting near the truck, she wasn't happy. She spent the rest of the trip pointing out people eating and walking, making sure to note if they looked Japanese. Later at home, she asked my wife if I was right. My wife said it was fine to eat and walk. Thanks for backing me up, love . The Answer: The answer is that it depends. The etiquette is not to eat while walking . But, there are some exceptions. And in some cases it is even encouraged. There are some things to know about Japanese etiquette on eating while walking. Clean Street Why Eating while Walking is Frowned Upon For one thing––you do not litter. Littering is forbidden in Japan. It is believed that the likelihood of littering is highest wh...

Greeting the locals!  Four every day Japanese greetings, and a brief guide to the nuances of greetings in Japan! Picture yourself walking through a serene mountain village in rural Japan. The locals on the street pass by with a warm smile and a friendly greeting. Would you know how to respond? For visitors, mastering these simple phrases goes beyond politeness—it opens doors to meaningful interactions and unforgettable experiences. And understanding Japanese social etiquette for travelers.  In Japan's bustling cities, it's common to pass by countless people without exchanging a word. But in smaller towns, rural villages, or wile hiking scenic trails a simple greeting can go a long way. Greeting others helps foster a warm and trusting atmosphere that's deeply rooted in Japan's culture of community. You would think like this of your own hometown as well, right?   Why Greet? A warm atmosphere within a small town creates trust and opens communication among neighbors. This i...