Country book · Asia

Japan

Precision, nature and quiet obsession

Japan runs on a rare combination of ancient ritual and relentless innovation — shrines and bullet trains, centuries-old craft and same-day convenience. It rewards travellers who slow down and pay attention to detail.

Myths

What's true, what isn't

Actually true

Trains really do run on time
Japan Rail apologises publicly for delays measured in seconds; the shinkansen's average delay is famously under a minute.
Convenience stores are genuinely excellent
7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart sell fresh onigiri, hot food and quality coffee around the clock — a real dining option, not a last resort.
Public spaces are remarkably clean without public bins
People carry their own trash home; littering is socially unacceptable even though rubbish bins are scarce.
Craftsmanship is taken extremely seriously
Shokunin (artisans) spend decades perfecting a single skill, whether sushi, sword-making, or lacquerware.

Commonly believed, wrong

"Everyone works impossibly long hours everywhere"
Overwork culture is real in some industries, but labour reforms and remote work have shifted many companies toward better balance.
"Sushi is everyday cheap food"
High-end sushi is a serious, expensive art form; everyday sushi is casual conveyor-belt style, but the two are worlds apart.
"Japan is only Tokyo and Kyoto"
Hokkaido's ski powder, Okinawa's subtropical beaches and rural onsen towns are utterly different from the two big-name cities.
"It's a cashless society"
Cash remains widely used and expected at many small restaurants, shrines and rural shops despite tech-forward branding.

Highlights

The best of Japan

Cherry blossom season

Parks and riversides fill with hanami picnics for a few unforgettable weeks each spring.

Kyoto's temples and gardens

Fushimi Inari's endless torii gates and Arashiyama's bamboo grove are unlike anywhere else.

Onsen towns in the mountains

Hot spring ryokan stays with kaiseki dinners and steaming outdoor baths, often under snow.

Hokkaido's powder snow

Niseko and Furano draw skiers worldwide for the lightest, driest snowfall on the planet.

Culture

Cultural riches

Tea ceremony

Chanoyu is a slow, precise ritual of hospitality that can take years to learn properly.

Manga and anime everywhere

From convenience store magazine racks to giant billboards, manga and anime are mainstream, not subculture.

Shrine and festival calendar

Matsuri festivals with portable shrines, drumming and yukata fill the summer calendar nationwide.

Minimalist design philosophy

Wabi-sabi — beauty in imperfection and impermanence — shapes architecture, ceramics and everyday objects.

Food

What to eat

Sushi

Vinegared rice and fresh fish, from Tsukiji-trained masters to neighbourhood conveyor-belt spots.

Ramen

Regional broths — tonkotsu, shoyu, miso — each with fiercely loyal followings and hours-long queues.

Okonomiyaki

A savoury Osaka pancake of cabbage, batter and toppings, cooked on a griddle at the table.

Tempura

Featherlight battered and fried seafood and vegetables, a technique refined since the 16th century.

Kaiseki

A multi-course seasonal tasting meal built around precision, presentation and the calendar.

Music

World-famous voices

Hikaru Utada

The album that changed J-pop.

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Composer and electronic pioneer.

YOASOBI

Novel-to-song duo with global streams.

Babymetal

Metal and idol pop fused.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Harajuku pop icon.

History

Important people in history

Emperor Meiji

1867–1912

Presided over the Meiji Restoration, rapidly modernising Japan's economy, military and institutions.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

1603–1616

Founded the Tokugawa shogunate, ushering in over 250 years of relative peace and isolation.

Shinzo Abe

2006–2007, 2012–2020

Japan's longest-serving prime minister, known for 'Abenomics' and a more assertive foreign policy.

Cities