135 Pics That Perfectly Encapsulate What Makes Japan Special (New Pics)

Traveling to Japan is a dream of many people around the globe. In fact, the country attracted a whopping 36.87 million foreign tourists in 2024. Being able to witness the stunning nature in real life, devour the best sushi in the world and visit huge cities that function extremely well sounds magical. But if you haven’t been able to make it to Japan yet, you can live vicariously through the people who shared the photos on this list.

We also wanted to learn more about what living Japan is really like, so we got in touch with Tanja Warwick, aka Ryokou Girl. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain what makes this island country so special. 

“Japan has a unique history, having been closed off from the rest of the world for more than 200 years during the Edo period,” Tanja noted. “It has led to a unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else.”

“Some things that make it special are the attention to detail and care that goes into everything, the close relationship with nature and appreciation for the changing seasons, and diverse landscapes,” she continued. 

“Some things that surprised me when living and working in Japan are that, despite the reputation of ultra modern cities like Tokyo, it’s still very much a traditional place. And technology from the 80s and 90s is still commonly used,” Tanja revealed. “For example, fax machines are still used in offices, and you can still go to music stores like Tower Records and Tsutaya to buy CDs.”

We also asked Tanja what some of her personal favorite things about Japan are. “I love that no matter what time of year you visit Japan, there are always festivals and events tied closely to the seasons to enjoy, from cherry blossoms to summer fireworks, autumn leaves and winter illuminations,” she told Bored Panda. “Also the food is always a highlight. It’s rare to have a bad meal, and eating out is so affordable.”

What should all travelers know before visiting Japan? “To plan ahead and prebook where possible before visiting popular areas and attractions, especially during peak travel times such as cherry blossom season,” Tanja noted. “Public transport is amazing, and you can get around to most places easily by train/buses.”

Finally, Tanja recommends that travelers don’t just stick to Japan’s “Golden Route,” aka the places that the vast majority of tourists visit, such as Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka. “Think about what you want to experience instead of where you want to go, and you are likely to find much less crowded and more affordable options in other cities,” the expert shared.

If you’re curious about what else can only be found in Japan, The Travel has an article detailing some items that you’re not likely to find anywhere else. First up on the list is unique Kit Kat flavors. Anything from baked potato to hot chili has been turned into a Kit Kat, so be sure to check out the wide selection when visiting. 

The country is also home to some incredibly unique game shows, including Candy or Not Candy, where contestants bite into items to determine whether they are in fact candy or not, and Old Enough!, where children as young as two are sent to run errands by themselves.      

If you’re going to be renting a car in Japan, it’s important to know that the traffic lights don’t turn green when it’s time to go – they turn blue! This is apparently because the Japanese language didn’t always have a word for green, so they decided to make traffic lights blue, yellow and red.

Japan is also one of the only places in the world where you can find extremely expensive fruits and vegetables, such as the $100 mushrooms shared on this list and grapes that cost up to $500. Part of the reasoning behind this is because farmers want their products to look perfect in stores, so many items don’t make the cut. And those that do, come at a high price.

Are you enjoying this list all about Japan, pandas? Keep upvoting all of your favorite pics, and let us know in the comments if you’ve ever visited this fascinating island nation. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing what makes Japan so special, look no further than right here!