Japan
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Why is Japan Overrated?
The Land of the Rising Sun has long been seen as the ultimate clichéd fantasy destination of anime lovers and introverted dreamers alike. The praises for the land of samurai, sakura, and sushi are sung ad nauseam across social media and through the perspective of doe-eyed visitors alike. However, does the Japanese experience deserve such high praise? A surprising number of travellers find themselves feeling rather disappointed, while some might go as far as to say Japan as a whole is overrated! How could that be? What isn’t being talked about? It’s time to explore why some visitors might need to manage their expectations before touching down in Japan. The…
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Why Foreigners Should NOT Wear Kimonos!
Amongst each national monument, Buddhist temple and historic avenue in modern-day Japan, men and women from across the world come to play out their little fantasies of living as 16th-century nobility by dressing up in authentic rented kimonos. Many say that it’s a beautiful sight to behold and blends so perfectly amongst the narrow brick lanes and high-rising pagodas. Of course, those who wear kimonos think they look utterly fantastic and truly lose themselves in their mythical fantasies. Yet the cold hard reality is that these tourists look absolutely ridiculous, and some even find the practice to be offensive! So before you mark down this tired cliché onto your itinerary,…
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Tattoos in Japan: Are They Taboo or Not?
Before going to Japan, everyone gave me the exact same warning: it’s going to be difficult there with your tattoos. This was said to me by both people who lived there and those who had never visited the country. You’ll have to cover them up! You won’t be able to go to such and such with them! People will think you’re a criminal! It seems to be a “fact” that most people “know”. People really do believe that tattoos in Japan are not appreciated. But how much truth is there to it, and how much is purely overblown stigma? A Brief History The contrasting relationship between the Japanese and tattoos is…
