Japan is known for its reverence for animals, and dogs are no exception. Thanks to stories of great loyalty and heroism, many of the native breeds in Japan have been designated as national treasures. A few Japanese dog breeds, like the Akita and Shiba Inu, have grown popular across the world and can be found fairly easily through breeders in the United States. However, most … [Read more...] about 9 Popular Japanese Dog Breeds
Culture
Tokyo’s Top 10 Weirdest Ramen Shops
Given the Japanese penchant for the quirky and peculiar, it’s no surprise that there are some oddballs among Tokyo’s estimated 10,000 ramen shops.From “big breast ramen” to pineapple ramen to a shop where the staff all wear wrestling masks, here are ten of the strangest ramen shops we’ve encountered in a decade of regular ramen hunting across the Tokyo megalopolis. 1) … [Read more...] about Tokyo’s Top 10 Weirdest Ramen Shops
20 Rare Pictures Of The Last Samurai From 1800s
In 1868, the samurai were outlawed and disbanded, marking the end of Japan's feudal system and the beginning of the modern era. The Meiji Restoration, a series of events in 1868, restored effective imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. While emperors had existed before the Restoration, this event restored real power to the emperor, solidifying the political system under imperial … [Read more...] about 20 Rare Pictures Of The Last Samurai From 1800s
18 Things Not to Do in Japan
Before you travel to Japan, it pays to brush up on some cultural differences to avoid offending local sensibilities. Manners and social rules are not universal, and it’s easy to commit a gaffe if you’re not aware of their customs and conventions. The Japanese are relatively reserved and polite, so you probably won’t even realize you’re affronting anyone but they’ll notice.Part … [Read more...] about 18 Things Not to Do in Japan
10 things Japan gets awesomely right
Although Japan is not without its faults, it is nevertheless an incredibly efficient and easy-to-live-in country, and we’ve discovered that there are numerous things that the Japanese get not just right, but awesomely right. Here are 10 things Japan gets awesomely right. 1. Vending machines If you’re looking for something to quench your thirst – whether hot or cold – … [Read more...] about 10 things Japan gets awesomely right