Every nation has its distinctive traits, but Japan consistently stands out in ways that leave the rest of the world in awe. When you step onto the streets of Japan, you enter a vibrant world where ancient temples coexist with futuristic robot cafes. Centuries-old traditions intertwine effortlessly with cutting-edge technology. Nowhere else can you experience such a striking blend of profound simplicity and dazzling complexity.
These 17 photos capture just a glimpse of what makes Japan feel like an entirely different world.
Related: There Are Some Things You'll Only Ever See in Japan...
1. Sometimes Japan doesn’t seem real (Photo from Takamatsu, Kagawa)
2. Nagano, Japan
3. Sewer cover in Osaka, Japan
4. Cats sleeping under the Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station
5. Hospital food in Japan doesn't seem so bad, does it?
6. Miyama, Kyoto Prefecture
7. Trucks in Japan Open “up” so you can unload them with a forklift anywhere
8. This cafe in Japan is staffed by robot avatars remotely controlled by people with severe disabilities
9. Meanwhile in Japan
10. There’s a quiet room at Narita Airport for people with autism
11. Mannequins in Japan
12. Is this the cutest train you've seen? (a train on the Kintetsu line in Japan)
13. Nachi Falls, Japan
14. This is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world - the Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Okawaso in Fukushima
15. There are open-air escalators super high up in Tokyo
16. So pretty!
17. Many Japanese inns, or ryokans, offer private room onsens. This allows you to experience the traditional hot springs in the comfort and privacy of your own space, making it a great way to dip your toes in, so to speak.
