“Meanwhile In Japan”: 50 Photos People Just Had To Take In Japan (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, who has been living and working in Japan since 2015. 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 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, she 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."

And, of course, you can find many more helpful travel tips from Tanja on Ryokou Girl!

We were also lucky enough to get in touch with Alyse, aka The Invisible Tourist, to hear her thoughts on this topic. She has spent plenty of time in Japan and even has detailed travel guides for visiting the beautiful country on her site.

"Japan is unique in the sense that it manages to blend the past and present so seamlessly," Alyse shared. "Whether that's different architectural styles through the centuries to old customs and traditions, Japan has embraced its cultural heritage without diluting it. I also call it the Land of Convenience, because if you can't find what you need there, it probably doesn't exist!"