18 Emoji That Make Sense After Visiting Japan

Japanese Emoji Meanings?

 As a first-timer on a recent vacation with my husband Josh, I was excited to learn as much as I could about its people, culture, and history. One of the most funny of these experiences? Seeing emoticons come to life

Here are 18 emoji that made a lot more sense to me after visiting Japan.

1. ⛩

The Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha in southern Kyoto are among Japan's most famous structures. This old Shinto shrine dates to 794 A.D. and includes 10,000 torii gates, which are painted arches provided by benefactors. It was a magnificent experience to walk beneath the closely packed row of arches along the trails of the Inari Mountain.

2. 🍡

Dango is such a weirdly pleasant rice-based delicacy with a doughy sensation, spherical form, and powdered texture. They are the epitome of cute. There are endless tastes available to consumers; however, I tested chocolate mousse, strawberry, vanilla, and adzuki red bean. When combined, the pink, white, and green dangos are termed bocchan dangos.

3. 🍥

Narutomaki is an adorable fish cake included in most ramen meals. It's flavors include a blend of various seafood, such as shrimp, white fish, crab, and lobster. Its fanciful appearance and whirling pink emblem are a tribute to the Naruto whirlpools in Tokushima Prefecture. These natural forces are renowned as the fourth-fastest whirlpool in the world.

4. 👺

Meet Tengu, folks – a god with a serious makeover. Nowadays, Zen Buddhists see Tengu as the guardian angel of their temples and forests. But rewind to the 14th century, and this guy was the ultimate bad boy. Back then, Tengu was like the Godzilla of demons, torching Buddhist monasteries and wreaking havoc everywhere. I got my first glimpse of Tengu’s softer side in the quirky Japanese flick, "Adrift in Tokyo" (Tenten). Picture this: a debt collector offering a college kid a break on his loan if he tags along for a stroll across Tokyo. Yeah, only in Japan, right?

5. 🌊

Let’s talk art – specifically, "The Great Wave of Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai. This print screams Japan, straight outta the 19th-century Edo period. That emoji? It captures the fluid, fierce vibe that’s so Japanese, you can practically feel it. It’s like watching a samurai dance – always in motion, but with this undeniable grace. Before I jetted off to Japan, I caught this incredible anime flick on Netflix about Hokusai’s daughter, Miss Hokusai. Talk about keeping the artistic dynasty alive!

6. 🍜

Picture this: me, slurping up warm, tangled ramen on a drizzly Tokyo afternoon. It’s one of those moments that sticks with you, you know? Every joint in town has its own spin on this comfort classic, starting with a clear, soul-soothing broth. And get this – most bowls set me back just eight or nine bucks. Not bad for a taste of Tokyo’s best, right?

7. 🍢

The charcoal-grilled yakatori in Piss Alley of Shinjuku earned its spot among the best street food I've ever experienced. Yakatori is primarily a combination of skewered chicken and green onion but can also include marinated beef, vegetables, and shellfish. Omoide Yokocho, sometimes referred to as Memory Lane or Piss Alley, is a tight collection of little eateries where travelers come for an unpretentious dining adventure.

Our main issue with eating in Piss Alley was not determining whether or not to eat there, but finding a space to sit. Most cafes only feature 6–7 bar stools.

8. 🍧

You know what’s wild? Shaved ice isn’t just a summer fling in Japan – it’s a year-round obsession. Picture this: I’m chilling near the Fushimi Inari gates, munching on a $5 strawberry ice topped with condensed milk and fresh fruit slices. And get this – those Costco labels peeking out from behind the booth? Yeah, they confirmed it. Even across the Pacific, you can count on Costco to keep the flavors legit.

9.🍙

No day felt complete without an o-nigiri, which is a densely packed cylindrical or triangular rice ball coated with dried seaweed. I ate o-nigiri loaded with roe, seaweed, chicken, and adzuki beans. They're easily found at 7-11 and Family Mart handy stores for about 100 yen each.

10.🏮

One of the most enchanting views in Kyoto is witnessing the illuminated paper lanterns along the canal at midnight. My favorite lanterns were discovered in the Gion area, which is most renowned for its geisha and maiko residences. Often misconstrued by outsiders as prostitutes, these skilled ladies entertain guests through traditional dance and vocal performances, serving drinks, reciting poetry, and engaging in intelligent conversations.

11. 🦊

In Japanese folklore, the fox, or kitsune, is a symbol of fertility, a strong rice harvest, and success. They are linked to the Shinto deity Inari. There are stone carvings of the fox around the pathways, commonly shown with the key to the granary in his mouth. Outside of the shrine and at gift shops throughout Japan, I saw kitsune portrayed in cuddly animals, animated cartoons, candies, and snacks.

12. 🐲and 🐉

Dragons have been popular long before Daenerys possessed them in Game of Thrones. Around 680 A.D., dragons first appeared in Japanese art. and have since become an identifiable symbol of cultural identity. I enjoyed seeing sculptures of them throughout Kyoto.

13. 🍚

Rice. Everywhere. All the time. I joyfully ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

14. 🍱

It's definitely the cutest way to offer lunch. Bento means lunch in Japanese and also refers to these small boxes that are a popular way to serve a few foods.

15. 🍘

I can't quit eating these. Senbei is a rice cracker. Sometimes they are baked with nori (seaweed), although there are hundreds of savory and sweet kinds to select from. I really miss the wasabi crackers I had in Kyoto.

16. 🍦

What is the most popular soft-serve ice cream flavor in Japan? 75% of people select vanilla, although matcha (green tea) comes in third. We had matcha soft serve at Tsujiri Tea House in the Gion neighborhood, which has been serving clients for 155 years.

17. 🌰

Who knew? During Japan's Jomon period (10,000 B.C. to 200 A.D.), chestnut shells were utilized for home construction and firewood. Today, they are a popular snack.

18. 🥃

If you've ever seen Lost in Translation, you know that single malt and blended whiskey are coveted Japanese exports. Josh sipped a whiskey-based drink called "Purple Town" at The Peak Bar at the Tokyo Park Hyatt, where much of Lost in Translation was filmed.