Interesting, Unusual and Fun facts about Japan

Japan, for many of us, rhyme with Sushi, Geishas, and Manga cartoons. Some of us have in mind “Blade Runner” and the dark lanes of Tokyo by night, with neon flashing. How much of these stereotypes are true? Which other interesting, fun and unusual facts strike the traveller in the discovery of the Japanese archipelago? From the first visions in Narita airport to the complexity of the Japanese language and the diversity of the foods, let’s look at these fun Japan facts.

1. Musical pedestrian crossings

One of the first unusual things which will strike you in Japan: all the pedestrian crossings have a similar little music theme playing to let you know that it is set to go. This is a very Asian sounding melody, which the visitor will keep in mind throughout one’s trip to Japan. It is actually dedicated to the blind people for all the country’s crossings.

2. And musical toilets, too

Toilets have a specific “classical music” button choice, so that your neighbours in the loo cannot hear your funny business. This is particularly true if you are with Japanese colleagues, or working in a Japanese company. Sounds considered rude in other countries might not be in Japan and vice-versa. The Japanese toilets gained fame around the world for their numerous options, and the brand TOTO is widely distributed in Japan, with various degrees of complexity. Currently the Japanese government is compiling an English guide of facts and information to help foreign visitors in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

3. The magic of not getting in anyone’s way

When so many people cross over at Shibuya or Shinjuku station, no one gets in anyone’s way…in an orchestral mass walk. The same organization applies to rainy days, where thousands of umbrellas of all types, transparent, flashy, animal looking, cross over the main roundabouts of Tokyo, Osaka, or Kobe.

4. Kansai yankee drivers

The so-called “Yankee type” youth in Osaka, is often seen driving around when dark falls in converted cars, with bright colours, aquarium and stereos. Particularly active in the Kansai region, they are sometimes related to the Yakuza. It is an interesting thing to see that phenomenon in Kansai, where everything is so well organized during the daytime, whereas the modified cars rushing through the lanes as soon as sun goes down drive off fast and furious.

5. Naked experience at an onsen

Onsen, or hot baths, whether indoor or outdoor, are a full part of the Japanese life and the Japanese culture. Maybe you can visit a Ryokan type hotel, or live for a while with a Japanese family, in which case you are bound to experience a bath at an Onsen and learn one of the facts of the Japanese culture... The best Onsen known to tourists are from Nikko, or Hakone areas, near Tokyo. However spectacular outdoors onsens found in the Kyushu region, near Beppu, are famous for the locals due to their red, volcanic waters. Prepare yourself to share your “naked” experience with at least around 20 Japanese women or men (the baths are not mixed). It can be a bit unusual in the first place, as in most Western type thermal springs you would still wear a swimsuit. Well, in Japan, forget it. You will need to shower first, in a designated common area, with miniature chairs, and once you rinsed, you can get into the warm, almost unbearably hot, spring water. It is best to stay inside the bath for around 5 to 10 minutes the first time, any longer will make you feel uncomfortable, unless you are a frequent sauna user. Once you feel ready to come out, you may grab the microscopic white towel provided upon your entrance, and head toward the locker rooms.

6. Japanese capitals

In Ancient Japan, Tokyo was not always the capital of the country. Nara, Nagaoka, and Kyoto, were all in their turns, capital cities. Nowadays, there are still many astonishing buildings. To learn more about facts and history, the best place to visit is the Nijo-Jo castle in Kyoto. A real experience of life at the times of the Samurais.

7. Lost and found

Lost objects are almost always found: the fun fact about this assumption is that it is actually true in Japan! Let us relate to one anecdote, which happened in Kyoto, on one trip. After touring a few attractions with a taxi driver we had hired for the day, our digital camera fell off silently on the ground of the taxi, behind the back seat. Before we could only realise that we had lost the camera, a few hours later, the taxi driver brought it back to the hotel we were staying at and which he managed to find.

8. Romantic Christmas

Christmas day is “the” D-day for couples in Japan: do not expect any family gathering, or religious celebrations if you are travelling to Japan during the Christmas holidays. First of all, most Japanese employees do not get a long vacation during that time, and it is one of the most romantic times of the year for Japanese couple, planning diners and gifts ahead. Families will rather organise a gathering to visit the local temple, while wearing the traditional silk kimono clothing on the morning of January 1st. This is another interesting fact about Japanese culture and worth the experience.

9. Happy New year, 1st of April

Most administration offices and enterprises start their new year on April 1st. This is when new recruits join the multinational firms in Japan, and go through their interview process and their first 6-month internship period. If you ever want to work in Japan, the recruitment campaign starts around February.

10. Let’s Wellness!

Funny words from English (so called JapEnglish) or French are used in daily advertising campaigns in Japan, and they will make your day. With expressions such as “Let’s Wellness”, “Cocue”, “Joli Fesse” which in the original language, either do not exist or mean something totally rude. Mostly these headlines describe cakes, sweet or clothes shops, but you will laugh so much to read them while exploring cities around Japan.

11. How many alphabets, please?

The most interesting facts about the Japanese language is the abundance of alphabets, not less than 3, and more than 85 000 simplified Chinese characters, called “Kanjis”. A foreign visitor might be able to master the first alphabets of Hiragana and Katakana, however, it is much more difficult to get a grip on the common Kanjis. Japanese people themselves use only 2,136 letters on average which are included into the compulsory education standards.

12. Make up on the move

If you are using the public transport, without doubt you will encounter a very astounding habit of Japanese ladies. As commuting is part of one’s life in Japan, people are easily spending an hour or more in the subway, bus, or suburban trains. Lacking of time to perfect their make up at home, most young ladies are finishing up their daily routine on the trains, with sometimes very complex procedures, and exceptional balance skills!

13. Falling asleep in a train is common in Japan

Trains are part of the unusual experiences in Japan, as you may find the person sitting next to you suddenly falling asleep on your shoulder and snoring loudly. It is common practice in Japan to let them do it, without complaining, but slightly pushing them gently in order to try waking them up.

14. Some more facts about travelling by train in Japan

You will be amazed to see many Tokyo salary men catching the last train of the day, in a advanced drunken state, while they are still wearing the conventional black or grey work suit. Two more unusual facts are striking in Japan in public transports the trains’ safety, in particular for women, and the diligence, patience and politeness of commuters in the rush morning hour, when you need to wait for 4 or 5 trains to leave before you can get in front of the queue to board a carriage. There are even some white or yellow lines with specific numbers, to let you know where you stand.

15. Souvenirs are an essential part of the Japanese culture

In Japan, you can buy all the traditional souvenirs of any given world country at the International airports. This is in case you had forgotten to bring a souvenir gift to your friends and colleagues – so it is the last chance not to look impolite. Souvenirs are very much part of the Japanese gift culture. Whenever you go on an excursion, a small trip, domestic or international, it is traditional to bring a relevant souvenir for all members of the group you belong. These are called “O-Miyage”. It is implied that when you receive a gift, you should send a small gift back, of around half the value of the received gift. This is called “O-Kaeshi”.

16. Gift time!

Special gift times are also in place twice a year ( O-Chugen and O-Seibo) to show gratitude to people you own favours to, such as a highly respected teacher, a family member, or a senior business partner or customer. Let’s say that souvenirs and gifts are Japan big business: they can range from sending special cakes or fruit baskets to far away locations to the most beautiful boxes of crispy prawn crackers.

17. Strange flavours

In Japan, foods, smells and drinks are overwhelming. How often have you tried a Yuzu or a Macha (Green Tea) ice cream? Have you ever heard of Kit-Kat with a Soya sauce flavour? Anything is possible in the Japanese food industry.

18. Curry rice Japanese style

Another fun Japan food fact is the Curry Rice (pronounce Ka-Ri): forget about curries you ate in India, or Thailand, this is a very sticky rice dish with a brown sweet thick sauce. It is a common dish among students, foreign expats, and workers for lunch. Cheap to try and to cook! You can also buy the pre-made sauce in all convenience stores and supermarkets.

19. Unusual food

While many articles mention the fermented beans “Nato” as the most unusual food in Japan, it is also worth highlighting the “Ume” plum, a marinated plum, used in many food dishes. This is an acquired taste, which a long-term visitor to Japan can actually miss.

20. Thanks for the hints, chef!

It is easy for the visitor to understand the menus, even if one cannot read Japanese. Most of the restaurants located within large shopping malls, such as Umeda station or Takashiyama have glass windows outside, with the exact plastic resin replicas of all their dishes. For food and fun gadget lovers, it is also possible to actually buy plastic ingredients or parts of dishes in the many wholesale shops located near Shinsaibashi in Osaka, and special neighbourhoods in Tokyo.

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In brief, whether it is your first visit to Japan, or the 100th, there are always many new fun, unusual and interesting facts to discover and experience. Every year brings innovation to the Japanese lifestyle. What is the funniest or weirdest thing you experienced in Japan? Let us know!