Japan Travel: Eight Outdated Myths That Are Rapidly Changing

Traveling to Japan? Chances are you’ve heard one of these eight “facts” about the country that are mostly wrong.

Picture: つむぎ / PIXTA(ピクスタ)

With more tourists coming to Japan than ever, many websites offer advice about what to expect when you get here. Most of them read as if they’re written by people (or, ahem, software) who’ve never set foot in the country.

We’ve been producing Unseen Japan for almost seven years now. During that time, the country’s changed a lot — and continues to evolve.

Here are a few of the most prominent myths I’ve noticed other sources push about what tourists can expect in Japan, along with some observations from our followers on Bluesky.

Myth 1: Smoking is allowed everywhere

Tobacco vending machine in Japan. (Picture by the author)

Status: False

Certainly, there was a time when it seemed everyone in Japan at a cafe, restaurant, or bar was lighting up. In 1966, around 83% of men in Japan said they smoked.

Those days, however, are long gone. Today, only around a quarter of men smoke — and only around 8% of women take up the habit.