Tengu has been a part of Japanese life for centuries. Ever since Japan has shared it's culture with the world, the god has shown up in the most unexpected places. If you have ever read a manga, watched an anime, or played a video-game from Japan, you have probably seen some shape or form of this creature.

That's right. Hello Kitty is such a popular character here that she gets her own bullet train, as I discovered when I accidentally rode it.

Few things drew me to love Japan like anime. With all of their beautiful images, supreme storytelling, and characters you really care about kept in mind, I have to ask, can you be too old for anime?

Today we will look at even more characters frequently used in Chinese and Japanese language each with unique differences. Part 1 had featured more everyday kanji, this one has some truly surprising cultural differences.

So, why exactly do I feel this way? What is it that is unique to Japan that makes me love it so?

Did you know that out of the 50 busiest train stations in the world, 46 are in Japan? Japan’s train system is almost as unique and wondrous as Japan itself.

Well, kyaraben (aka Charaben), short for Character Bento, is a bento lunch where the food is arranged in elaborate styles to look like popular characters, portraits, plants, animals etc.

Make sure to look out for theme cafés like Funassyi’s when you visit Japan, as they’re always fun!

Learn Japanese phrases and get a peak into the culture with LINE stickers!

You might not know it but New Chitose Airport is Japan’s third busiest airport after Narita and Hanada. Also, the Chitose Tokyo leg is one of the busiest routes in the world with about 9 million people a year using it. If you happen to have to change planes here or if you have some time to kill before your flight, there is actually quite a lot to do. I hope to show you a few of them.

Anyone visiting Japan cannot help but notice the colourful characters used to promote or identify everything from businesses and products, to services and regions.

Lawson convenience stores have brought their own character Karaage-kun and Dragon Quest's Slime together celebrating 30 years since they were both created bringing to Japan a new fried chicken with an altogether ambitious new flavor.