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#Japanuary 2024

Japanuary 2024

#Japanuary

Japanuary is my Instagram challenge about Japan, in January.

Everyone’s welcome to join in – post your photos and share what you love about Japan!

How to Join In

  • Each day there’s a different theme related to Japan.
  • Post a photo on Instagram related to that day’s theme.
  • Use the hashtag #Japanuary and the daily hashtag eg #JapanuaryD10 (change the number each day).

Enjoy looking through the hashtag at everyone’s photos, sharing happy memories. It’s also a great way to get inspiration for your next Japan trip!


UPDATE: Use the Daily Hashtag

With Instagram’s hashtag search not showing us all the Japanuary posts, try adding “D” for day and the number to the end of #Japanuary each day eg #JapanuaryD5 #JapanuaryD6 #Japanuary D7 etc. This seems to be showing us more posts each day!

When you search for the hashtag, try tapping “Filter” on the right to switch to “Recent top posts” to see more pics.

Japanuary Daily Hashtag

Japanuary Themes

Here are the themes for each day. Feel free to save this image and share it with your posts. If you want to tag me, I’m @cakeswithfaces on Instagram.

Japanuary Themes 2024

Japanuary Video

Here’s a quick video about how it works!


Started in 2020

I first ran Japanuary in 2020, and was blown away by how many people joined in. I thought it might just be me posting on my own! It was really friendly and turned into a little community of people who love Japan.

The second Japanuary was in 2021. I asked if anyone wanted to do it again, and the answer was yes! This time there were more themes related to enjoying Japan at home. It was great that so many people joined in again.

After that in 2022, there didn’t seem much point as no one had any new Japan photos!

So now, it seemed like the right time to bring Japanuary back for January 2024. I’m looking forward to it!


Brighten up January

January can be quite a bleak month – it’s cold, dark and there’s not much going on. I found it helps to have something positive to focus on, and enjoy sharing memories of Japan.


Follow the Hashtag

If you want to, you can follow the #Japanuary hashtag on Instagram, and the posts may appear in your feed, just like when you follow a page.

  • Tap the “#Japanuary” hashtag on a post (it’s in my post!).
  • Tap the blue “Follow” button.

FAQs

What if I don’t have any new photos?

Your photos don’t have to be new or recent – everyone will enjoy seeing them! It’s all about happy memories and sharing what we enjoy about Japan, so it doesn’t matter if they’re not from this year or last year. It’s also fine to post photos you’ve shared before, if they’re relevant to the theme for that day.

Do I have to post every day?

Feel free to join in as often as you like. Post every day, or when you have time, or when you’re inspired by that day’s theme. Japanuary’s a chill, easy-going challenge. It’s just for fun, it’s not about getting stressed out. Posting every day can be a lot, so join in whenever you feel like it.

What if I haven’t been to Japan?

If you haven’t been to Japan, feel free to post Japan-related pics from home. For example books, your Japlanning notes, Japan-related days out, hobbies or activities in your country, and the food themes are easy to join in with. Or share places you’d like to go (but please be mindful of copyright!). It’s also fine to post Japan-related artwork, sketches or doodles. Looking through the hashtag’s a great way to get ideas if you’re dreaming of going to Japan one day.

Japanese Snacks

Here’s a selection of your snacks from day 3!


Inspiration for the Themes

Finally, here’s some inspiration for each of the themes, to give you some ideas. Feel free to interpret them however you like – anything related to Japan is good! I’m looking forward to seeing what you post!

  1. What you love about Japan: What first drew you to Japan, and what do you love about it? Is there an aspect of Japanese culture that you particularly love or that you’re interested in? Is it related to one of your hobbies?
  2. Evening / night: Sunsets, the city at night, lights in the city, quiet streets in the evening, bustling nightlife, the moon over Tokyo, your favourite evening activities.
  3. Snacktime: Sweet or savoury, hot or cold, ice creams, traditional Japanese snacks or konbini treats. Snacks are a big part of enjoying Japanese food!
  4. In the city: Any city, it doesn’t have to be Tokyo. Show us city life, cityscapes, street scenes or interesting details of city life.
  5. A moment of calm: A Japan trip can be full on – where did you find a moment of calm to relax and take it all in? Maybe in nature, a park, or a cosy cafe, or a quiet backstreet away from the crowds.
  6. Somewhere exciting: It can be anything! Where’s somewhere you found exciting to visit?
  7. Touristy: This can be good or bad! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the top 10 places to go – they’re also the classics! Was there somewhere touristy that you just had to go, to tick it off the bucket list? Did it live up to your expectations? There are negative sides too – crowds, queues – share your experiences and stories!
  8. Highlight of the trip: Share a place or experience that stands out as the highlight for you!
  9. Water: Rivers, the sea, boat trips, waterfalls, in the countryside or the city, fountains or unusual water features. Anything to do with water – interpret it as you will!
  10. Hidden gems: Take us off the beaten track – or maybe there’s somewhere in a popular place that many people miss? Japan has so many hidden treasures!
  11. A meal to remember: Make us hungry with food pics and tell us about it! It can be anything – the first time you ordered food in Japan, the best ramen ever, a picnic on the beach or dinner with a view.
  12. Uniquely Japan: Some things are only in Japan! This really can be anything – surprise us!
  13. Souvenirs: Traditional crafts, merchandise from your favourite anime, leaflets you collected, your goshuin book – show off your souvenirs from Japan.
  14. Futuristic Japan: Anything modern or futuristic: I’m thinking robots, architecture, design, transport, unusual touchscreens, anything that made you feel like you’re living in the future.
  15. Historic: Let’s fill our Instagram feed with beautiful Japanese castles, temples, shrines, old streets, traditional crafts – anything historic from olden times.
  16. Magical moments: Sometimes you just have these magical moments when you’re on a trip, when everything comes together and you’re filled with love for Japan. They can be big or small – share your happy memories!
  17. Travel tips: Share a tip from your experiences, to help other people with their Japan trips.
  18. Scenery: Views of nature, the countryside, or any scenery that’s picturesque or a stunning landscape. Buildings and structures can be scenery too – zoom out and let’s enjoy the view.
  19. A photo you’re proud of: Show off a photo you’re happy with. Did you happen to get just the right shot one time? Or did you manage to capture the moment? It doesn’t have to be world class standard – this isn’t a challenge for pro photographers!
  20. First time in Japan: Memories from your first day in Japan, or your first trip. What was the first thing you did, your first meal, or the first place you went?
  21. Must-visit place: Where would you recommend someone going to Japan HAS to go?
  22. Japanese trains: There had to be a theme abut trains, because Japanese trains are amazing! It could be the metro, local trains, unusual trains, the trusty Yamanote line or the shinkansen.
  23. Cuteness overload: Japan’s the home of kawaii – show us something cute and adorable!
  24. Unforgettable: What’s something you’ll never forget from Japan? A day trip, a meal, a moment, a chance encounter, an experience, a beautiful sunset rounding off the perfect day…
  25. An adventure: Sometimes travelling abroad can feel like an adventure in itself! Or maybe you went on a countryside adventure, an exciting trip, or up a mountain or a boat trip.
  26. Bright lights: Neon signs in the city, retro signs, winter illuminations, cityscapes – any bright lights that you’ve captured.
  27. Fun times: It can be anything! What did you find fun in Japan? Show us something fun!
  28. My go-to konbini order: What’s your classic basket at the convenience store? I want to know what drinks and snacks were you addicted to?
  29. Take me here: Somewhere you want to go back to, or a favourite that’s always on your Japan list every trip.
  30. A unique experience: Share the story! Maybe something unusual, or something you can only do in Japan, or did something bizarre happen?
  31. Where next? What place(s) are at the top of your Japan travel wishlist? Where do you most want to go in Japan?

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