Hey, I’m Taka.
I was born and raised in Japan.
But for a long time now, I’ve lived my life abroad.
And this unique position—being both an insider and an outsider—has taught me something crucial.
When my foreign friends ask me about Japan, they don’t just want to know the best ramen spot.
They want to know why Japanese people slurp their noodles so loudly.
They don’t just want to know where the famous temples are.
They want to know why Japanese people are so quiet on the trains.
They are asking about the heart, the mind, the invisible software that runs Japanese society.
And I realized that most travel guides completely fail to answer these “Why?” questions.
This blog is my attempt to answer them.
This Is Not Another “Where to Go” Guide
Let me be clear.
If you are looking for a list of the “Top 10 Instagram Spots in Tokyo,” this is not the blog for you.
There are thousands of other websites that do a great job of that.
This blog is different.
This is a “Why they do it” guide.
My goal is not just to show you Japan, but to help you understand Japan on a much deeper level.
I will share my personal stories, my cultural insights, and my honest opinions—both the good and the bad—to give you a real, human picture of my homeland.
I promise to explore the confusing, fascinating, and often contradictory parts of the Japanese mind that lie just beneath the surface.
Your Journey into the Japanese Mind Starts Here
This blog is a collection of cultural explorations.
If you’re new here, I recommend starting with one of these deep dives into the core of Japanese culture.
They will change the way you see Japan.
→ Why Do Japanese People Apologize So Much?
→ Honne & Tatemae: The Two “Faces” of a Japanese Person
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
I’m excited to explore the real Japan with you.
– Taka