Another reason — aside from standing out as an obvious tourist — why flip-flops aren't a good choice in Japan, is the fact that they're not really suitable for use on public transportation.

Japan has long been celebrated for its unique ... from the bustling neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the peaceful, natural wonders of Hokkaido. However, despite the overwhelming admiration for ...

If it's a "popular tourist spot" why don't the authorities build public-viewing ... then this might be a case of Darwin's idea of natural selection. Come to Japan. Don't come to Japan. I think it's ...

CHIPPUBETSU, Hokkaido—As sightseers from Thailand ... only an hour away from both Sapporo and Asahikawa, it has few tourist attractions of its own and was slow to catch the nationwide wave ...