I’m Lee Ji-hye, a Korean journalist and author based in Seoul, South Korea. Although my main beat is Korean entertainment—covering everything from K-dramas to K-pop idols—I once spent a year living and working in Tokyo. At the time, I was early in my career and took the opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese entertainment news and pop culture. As someone who grew up in Korea, I believed that Korean culture and Japanese culture shared many similarities—after all, we’re both East Asian countries with a passion for pop music, drama, and all things cute.
However, it only took me a few weeks of living in Tokyo to realize just how different life is there compared to my home country. I also noticed how many foreign visitors and expats held certain stereotypes or misconceptions about Japan—ideas that didn’t reflect my daily experiences at all.
In this article, I want to break down some of those misconceptions. I’m by no means an expert on all facets of Japanese life, but my year in Tokyo taught me lessons I’ll carry forever.
Here are some of the biggest things foreigners often get wrong about Japanese culture.
1. “Everyone Is Always Polite and Reserved”
One of the first clichés foreigners talk about is the idea that Japanese people are always polite, reserved, and almost robotic in their daily interactions. It’s true that respect and politeness are core values in Japan. You’ll see this reflected in everyday etiquette: bowing to greet people, using honorific language, and taking care not to inconvenience others. However, this doesn’t mean Japanese people lack warmth or spontaneity. In fact, once you get to know someone personally, you’ll often find that they have the same wide range of emotions as anyone else.
I had coworkers who were outwardly formal in the office, but after a few beers at a late-night izakaya, they’d become some of the most animated, hilarious people I’ve ever hung out with. They’d crack jokes, sing karaoke with a passion, and swap stories just like my friends back in Seoul. So yes, Japan has a culture that values politeness and social harmony, but that doesn’t mean everyone is stiff, calm, or reserved all the time.
2. The Myth of the “Silent Society”
Another misconception is that Japan is a “silent society,” where people don’t speak up or share opinions openly. You might see people on the train quietly tapping away on their phones or wearing headphones, and assume that Japanese people just aren’t very talkative. This isn’t entirely true. In public, it’s common to speak in softer tones and avoid being a disturbance. That’s out of respect for the people around you—a concept known as meiwaku in Japanese.
However, if you watch a live show on TV or catch a group of friends at a restaurant, you’ll see the conversation can get pretty lively. In my experience, once Japanese people feel comfortable, they open up just as much as anyone else. The key is recognizing that there’s a clear distinction between public behavior (quiet, respectful of others’ space) and private or semi-private behavior (where everyone feels more free to express themselves).
3. Group Harmony Doesn’t Equal No Individuality
A common trope is that Japanese culture values group harmony so much that individual opinions are suppressed. While it’s true that “fitting in” and maintaining social cohesion is a huge deal—especially in the workplace—it’s a stretch to say that individuality doesn’t exist in Japan. People simply learn to express their personal tastes in more subtle ways.
For instance, Japan has an incredible street-fashion culture. Just walk around neighborhoods like Harajuku, and you’ll see people wearing bold, creative outfits that challenge the notion of conformity. Even in the business world, people will find unique ways to assert their individuality, from choosing whimsical phone cases to decorating their desks with collectible figurines or plushies. Indeed, I was constantly impressed by how people balanced a group-centric mindset with personal expression.
4. Work and Social Life: Not One and the Same
There’s a rumor going around that Japanese people work 24/7 and have no time for fun. It’s true that the work culture can be demanding. Long hours at the office and the expectation to socialize with colleagues afterward are real. But it’s not all doom and gloom. People do find time to pursue hobbies and hang out with friends—often in ways that are surprisingly inventive.
One of my Japanese friends participated in weekly pottery classes, and another volunteered at local animal shelters on weekends. Others joined sports clubs or dance crews. Tokyo, in particular, never sleeps. There’s always a café, bar, or karaoke joint open for those who want to unwind. The key is balance—though it’s admittedly more challenging for some industries. But the notion that everyone is perpetually chained to their desks just isn’t accurate.
5. “They Only Eat Sushi and Ramen”
When I first told friends and family that I was moving to Tokyo, some of them teased me, saying I’d be eating nothing but sushi and ramen for a year. While sushi and ramen are undeniably popular—and delicious!—Japanese cuisine is a whole lot more diverse. You’ll find an abundance of local dishes in every region, from okonomiyaki in Osaka to miso katsu in Nagoya. Even in Tokyo, you can have soba, udon, yakitori, tempura, and so many other unique specialties.
On top of that, Japan is also a place where “fusion” cuisine thrives. There are restaurants serving French-Japanese, Italian-Japanese, and Korean-Japanese fusion dishes everywhere. Ever heard of kimchi natto pizza? It might sound strange, but it’s quite popular in certain izakayas. So, while you should absolutely enjoy the world-class sushi and ramen scene, don’t forget to explore the lesser-known local delights.
6. Pop Culture: More Than Just Anime and Manga
In my current role, I focus heavily on Korean entertainment news, but living in Japan opened my eyes to the depth of Japanese pop culture. Most foreigners think that Japanese pop culture begins and ends with anime, manga, and maybe some J-Pop. Yes, anime and manga are big deals in Japan, and it’s hard to overstate their cultural impact. But Japanese pop culture also includes an entire idol industry, a thriving indie music scene, traditional theater like Kabuki, and so much more.
During my year in Tokyo, I started following a few Japanese rock bands and discovered a budding underground music culture that was just as intense and devoted as anything I’ve seen in Seoul’s club scene. I also learned about Enka (a traditional Japanese ballad style) and how older generations still enjoy it just like some Koreans love trot music. So don’t let anime overshadow everything else—there’s a massive range of cultural experiences waiting to be explored.
7. Not Everyone Knows About Korean Entertainment
As a journalist covering K-dramas and K-pop, I was curious about how big these were in Japan. I found that while groups like BTS and BLACKPINK have a strong following among younger Japanese fans, not everyone is tuned into Korean entertainment. Some do watch Korean dramas on local TV networks, but just as many are more interested in their own J-dramas or variety shows.
Interestingly, K-dramas are often viewed in a similar light as Western dramas: a popular foreign import. If you’re traveling in Japan expecting every single person to be a die-hard K-pop or K-drama fan, you might be disappointed. There’s definitely a fandom, but it’s not all-encompassing. Japan has its own vibrant entertainment industry—complete with idol groups, drama productions, and variety shows that can be just as addictive as any K-drama.
8. Assimilation Takes Time (and That’s Okay)
Some foreigners arrive in Tokyo thinking they’ll quickly become “one of the locals” if they learn a few basic Japanese phrases. The truth is that assimilation can be tough, and it’s not something you can force. Japanese society can be close-knit, and building deep friendships requires time, patience, and genuine effort. It’s not just about language proficiency—though that certainly helps—but understanding social cues, cultural norms, and the unspoken rules of communication.
For instance, it took me a few months to realize that I should avoid directly saying “no” in certain situations. Instead, I’d give a polite but subtle indication that I was declining. Even as a Korean, and someone who speaks pretty good Japanese, I had to adjust to different social dynamics. So, if you’re a foreigner hoping to settle into Japan, give yourself the grace to learn at your own pace. You’ll appreciate the culture so much more when you let genuine relationships form naturally.
Conclusion
Living in Tokyo for a year was an incredible adventure that expanded my worldview. It’s easy to cling to stereotypes or simplified images of a culture, especially when you only visit as a tourist or hear stories from outsiders. But once you actually live somewhere, you discover the nuances: the complexities that make a place feel both strange and familiar at the same time.
Japanese culture isn’t something that can be summed up in a single phrase like “polite” or “reserved.” It has layers, contradictions, and countless expressions of individuality—just like any other culture. Whether you’re a fan of anime, J-Pop, Japanese cinema, or simply curious about life in Tokyo, I encourage you to look beyond the clichés. Talk to people, explore side streets, and embrace the quieter moments that reveal what really makes Japan tick.
For me, the most important takeaway is that, as much as we think we know a culture from movies, social media, or popular stereotypes, there’s always more to learn when you’re actually there. I hope that by sharing my experiences, you’ll be inspired to dig deeper, question assumptions, and discover the real beauty of Japan—and every other culture you encounter along the way.
