Japanese Website Design: Why It’s Different and How to Design?

Have you ever accessed a Japanese website before? We have had a lot of experience working with Japanese people in website development. After so many years of operating in the Japanese market, we have found that Japanese website designs have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from their Western counterparts. There are many examples of sites with a more minimalistic and easy-to-navigate design for someone used to Western websites. However, walls of text, lavish use of bright colors, and more than 10 different fonts are some typical characteristics we must see if we access Japanese websites. This article will explore why Japanese web development looks so different and then gain insights into the broader interplay between culture, technology, and design in the digital world.

Why Japanese Website Designs Look So Different?

There are several elements that we can analyze why Japanese websites have outstanding design:

• Cultural Influence
• Technological Development and Historical Context
• Slow Development of Fonts and Front-End Website 

Let’s begin with the first element!

Cultural Influence

Japanese websites don’t just look different — they feel different because they reflect Japan’s cultural DNA. From design structure to tone of communication, every element ties back to values like harmony, trust, respect, and attention to detail.

• Aesthetics and Simplicity

Japanese culture places great emphasis on aesthetics and minimalism. Principles such as “wabi-sabi” (embracing imperfection and transience) and “ma” (the concept of space and silence) greatly influence Japanese design, including web design. Japanese websites often reflect these principles by employing clean, uncluttered layouts, ample white space, and a focus on simplicity.

Meibutsu Choice – an online shopping site that delivers products painstakingly made by store owners and businesses

• Visual Storytelling

Japanese culture has a long tradition of visual storytelling, evident in art forms like manga and ukiyo-e prints. This influence can be observed in web design, where vibrant and expressive visuals often take center stage. Japanese websites often use captivating images, bold typography, and animated elements to engage visitors and convey narratives.

Meibutsu Choice – an online shopping site that delivers products painstakingly made by store owners and businesses

Technological Development & Historical Context

According to Reddit, “Japan, living in the year 2000 since 1985.” Japan’s adoption of the Internet came relatively late compared to the West, with its widespread use taking off in the late 1990s. This delay allowed Japanese web designers to observe and learn from other countries’ early web design trends while incorporating their unique approach.

If you have an interest in Japan, you may be familiar with the contrasting mix of cutting-edge and outdated technology found in many places. Japan, known for its advancements in robotics and the impressive life-sized Gundam statue on Odaiba’s artificial island, also paradoxically relies on outdated technology like floppy disks and fax machines. The country experienced panic when faced with the shutdown of Windows Explorer in 2022.

FIAN – an original artificial flower brand

Technological literacy in Japan has been significantly delayed, suggesting that these issues have also hindered the progress of Japanese website design. Specifically, Japanese web design struggles in this regard. A simple Google or Pinterest search for Japanese poster design reveals a distinctly different and contemporary approach to graphic design.

Slow Development of Fonts and Front-End Website

Overview, while creating a new font for Romanized languages can be an interesting challenge for people who have a basic understanding of typography, the Japanese language poses specific challenges for web design due to its complex writing system, which includes three scripts: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. 

In detail, to create a font from scratch in English, you will need about 230 glyphs – a glyph is a unique representation of a particular letter (“A, a” counts as 3 glyphs) – or 840 glyphs if you want to include all Latin-based languages. For Japanese, due to the three different writing systems and the vast number of Kanji, you will easily see 7,000 – 16,000 glyphs or more. Therefore, creating a new Japanese font requires both the effort of an organized team and more time than Latin fonts.

As a result, creating a Japanese font is a complex and time-consuming process. Therefore, web developers may need help upgrading fonts to support new features or new user requirements. In addition, Japanese fonts do not support uppercase letters. So web developers must carefully consider and search through font libraries to choose how to present the font to still attract the attention of website visitors.

For example, let’s take a look at Burger King’s Japan and American websites:

We can understand why many Japanese website designs tend to display content categories with text-heavy images. Sometimes, you will even see each square use its font, especially when it is a limited-time offer.

If you’re planning to launch or localize your brand in Japan, AMELA Technology can help you get it right from day one. With a strong track record of working with Japanese businesses and global brands targeting Japan, we combine local insight with modern UX expertise to build websites that feel truly native.

Whether you need end-to-end web development or skilled UI/UX designers through staff augmentation, we’ll make sure your digital presence fits naturally into the Japanese market — not just stands out, but belongs.

Tips to Design a Great Japanese Website

Designing a great Japanese website isn’t just about translating your content into Japanese — it’s about understanding the culture, visual preferences, and user expectations that define Japan’s unique digital landscape.

After working with multiple clients in Japan, here’s what we’ve learned at AMELA Technology — and what truly makes a Japanese website click with users.

Prioritize Information Density (But Keep It Organized)

Japanese users expect websites to be rich in content — they like having all the details upfront. Minimalist, white-space-heavy Western designs often feel “empty” to Japanese visitors.
Instead, use structured sections, clear hierarchies, and visual separators (like boxes or color bands) to present lots of info without chaos.

Pro tip: Balance text-heavy sections with icons, micro-illustrations, or expandable content to keep it scannable.

Respect Cultural Visual Preferences

Japanese design leans toward bright colors, banners, and visual variety. It’s totally okay (and expected) to see multiple colors, animated elements, or popups — as long as they’re tidy and consistent.
Avoid muted tones and overly minimalist Western styles; they might feel too “cold” or lacking excitement.

Use Japanese-Language Typography Wisely

Typography makes or breaks readability in Japanese. Stick to clean, well-supported fonts like Noto Sans JP, Yu Gothic, or Hiragino.
Keep in mind: Japanese text tends to be denser, so increase line height slightly for readability. And yes — vertical text still has its place in banners or callouts, so don’t be afraid to use it sparingly.

Localize Beyond Language

A direct translation won’t cut it. Localization in Japan means adapting tone, visuals, and context.

• Use culturally familiar imagery — such as Japanese people, landmarks, and seasonal motifs.

• Adapt copy to local formality levels; business audiences expect polite, humble phrasing.

• Include trust symbols like certifications, awards, and client logos — Japanese customers value credibility.

Design for Mobile-First (Especially for E-commerce)

Japan has one of the world’s highest mobile internet usage rates. Make sure your layout, forms, and navigation are optimized for smartphones.

At AMELA, we always test Japanese sites on multiple local devices (like Sharp, Sony, and Fujitsu phones) — because screen ratios and font rendering can differ from global standards.

Build Trust With Social Proof and Contact Options

Japanese users prefer authentic, visible proof of reliability — reviews, testimonials, and real contact details matter a lot.
Include a clear phone number, address, and ideally a “Company Overview” (会社概要) page — it’s standard for Japanese business sites.

Match UX to Local Behavior

Japanese users often browse thoroughly before deciding. They prefer in-depth pages, easy FAQ access, and multi-step confirmations before submitting forms.
Instead of speeding things up, make users feel secure and informed throughout the journey.

• Bottom line:

A great Japanese website blends cultural respect with strong UX design. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about trust, familiarity, and clear communication.

At AMELA Technology, our Japan-based design team helps foreign brands create websites that look native, feel authentic, and perform beautifully in one of the world’s most detail-driven markets.

>>> Related: Best Web Design and Development Companies

Common Mistakes Foreign Designers Make With Japanese Website Design

The biggest mistake foreign designers make when creating a Japanese web design is assuming that what works in the West will work in Japan. It rarely does. Japan’s digital culture follows its own rhythm — deeply tied to tradition, trust, and detail.

After helping global brands localize their sites for Japan, here are the most common pitfalls we see (and how to avoid them).

• Overusing Minimalist Design

Minimalism is trendy globally, but in Japan, it can come across as too empty.

Japanese users expect websites to feel informative and substantial, not sparse. When there’s too little content, it creates uncertainty — “Is this company serious?”

Instead: Present complete information using structured grids, visual boxes, and headlines, so users can scan easily while feeling confident in your credibility.

• Poor Localization (Not Just Translation)

Directly translating English content into Japanese is a fast track to awkwardness. Tone, structure, and even humor rarely carry over well.
For example, English CTAs like “Join Us Now!” might feel pushy in Japanese culture, where softer phrasing (“ぜひご参加ください” – “We’d be delighted if you join”) sounds more natural.

Instead: Work with native Japanese UX writers or localization experts who understand both the language and culture — they’ll help your brand sound authentic, not foreign.

• Ignoring Mobile Users

Japan is one of the world’s most mobile-first markets. Many foreign brands still design desktop-first and shrink it down later — a big mistake.
Japanese users browse and shop primarily on smartphones, so if your mobile version loads slowly, has small fonts, or hides key info, they’ll bounce instantly.

Instead: Start with mobile-first UX, test across local devices (Sony, Sharp, Fujitsu), and prioritize fast, clean interfaces optimized for one-hand navigation.

• Skipping the “Company Overview” Page (会社概要)

In Japan, a company profile page isn’t optional — it’s a trust signal. Japanese users often visit it before making any purchase or inquiry to confirm that your business is legitimate.

Instead: Always include a clear 会社概要 page with your company name, registration info, address, and leadership. Bonus points if you add customer testimonials or local contact details.

• Using Non-Native Fonts or Poor Kanji Rendering

Western fonts often distort Japanese characters (kanji, hiragana, katakana) — breaking readability and making your site feel unprofessional.

Instead: Use Japanese-optimized fonts like Noto Sans JP, Yu Gothic, or Hiragino Kaku Gothic, and test across browsers and OS versions to ensure crisp, legible text.

• Relying Too Much on Stock or Western Imagery

Japanese users connect better with familiar faces, settings, and design motifs. Generic Western stock photos often feel detached or “foreign.”

 Instead: Use localized imagery — Japanese people, local environments, and seasonal visuals (like cherry blossoms or New Year motifs). It makes your brand feel relatable and culturally aware.

• Oversimplifying Navigation

Western designers often streamline menus to be clean and minimal — but in Japan, users expect detailed, visible options.
If visitors have to dig too deep for what they need, they’ll lose trust.

Instead: Provide comprehensive navigation that’s clear and accessible, even if it means more items. Clarity > simplicity in the Japanese UX mindset.

• Underestimating the Role of Social Proof

In Japan, people trust what others say far more than marketing claims. Skipping testimonials, reviews, or awards can make your site feel incomplete.

Instead: Display client logos, certifications, and customer testimonials prominently. Japanese audiences equate visible proof with credibility and reliability.

Conclusion

To conclude, the distinctive appearance of Japanese website designs is a product of multiple influences. In their pursuit of simplicity, visual storytelling, and mobile optimization, Japanese web designers have crafted a unique visual language that continues to captivate and surprise visitors. By understanding the underlying cultural and historical influences, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and innovation present in Japanese web design.

Whether you need a full-cycle web development partner or want to augment your team with bilingual designers, frontend developers, and localization specialists, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s build your next Japanese website — one that speaks the local language, both visually and culturally.

Contact us through the following information:

• Hotline: (+84)904026070
• Email: hello@amela.tech
• Address: 5th Floor, Tower A, Keangnam Building, Urban Area new E6 Cau Giay, Pham Hung, Me Tri, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi

Editor: AMELA Technology