Japan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It has a rich history that can be brutal at times, but fascinating as well. There are so many little facts about this fascinating little island nation that make it truly unique.
By the way, if you do read these articles, you'll notice a lot of them have some of the same facts. So I only put the ones not already listed elsewhere
Listed below are the links where I found this information. Each link is above the section where that information came from
https://alljapantours.com/japan/culture/cultural-tips/fun-japan-facts-and-information/
Japan has four main islands
-They consist of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu. Because of this, Japan is considered to be the largest island nation in the Far East
The oldest hereditary monarch in the world is the Yamato Dynasty
-The current emperor is the direct descendant of Jimmu, the first ruler of Japan from over 2,600 years ago. The only time that you can visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace's inner grounds is on January 2 and the emperor's birthday, when the location is open to the public
There are over 100 castles in Japan!
-At one point, there were an estimated 5,000 castles scattered throughout Japan. As of today, that number has dwindled to around 100. Most of them are in the state of reconstruction, but at least twelve are still in the original state
Noh is the longest running theatre styles in the world
-This type of dance-drama dates back to the 14th century. The performances were usually done at temples or shrines. You can attend Noh performances in Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya
Bowing is incredibly important, even the deer do it
-Every morning, at the Todaiji Temple, 1,200 wild deer gather together. You can purchase special biscuits outside of the temple to feed the wild deer. Prior to handing over the treats, you must greet them with a bow. They will, in turn, bow right back
There's a slipper for every occasion
-Japan is known for its high level of cleanliness. And, as such, certain slippers are required for certain actions. It's a well known fact that shoes are not worn inside Japanese homes. There are special slippers for wearing inside the home and even special slippers worn when going to the bathroom
Everyone cleans up after themselves
-Japan is known for being one of the cleanest countries in the world. As such, there are no public trash bins. When a terrorist attack happened on the subways in 1995, using deadly sarin nerve gas, the government put a ban on public trash bins on the street. This forced locals to clean up after themselves. It's not uncommon for people in Japan to take their trash home and dispose of it there. Even tourists learn to do that
The crime rate is incredibly low
-In Japan, it's one of the safest nations in the world. That's not to say that there is not the occasional crime that happens every now and again. In fact, there are more police here than criminals. Japanese have very high morals and respect for each other. If a wallet full of cash is found on the street, locals are more likely to leave it there or turn it into the police than steal the contents
Japan is loaded with vending machines
-There are vending machines selling almost literally anything. From hot and cold drinks to electronics to contraceptives, if you need it, Japan will have a vending machine selling it. Most of the vending machines sell hot and cold drinks, tea or juice. But others will sell alcohol, fortunes, souvenirs, snacks and more
Walking and eating at the same time is a big no no
-A lot of thought and consideration goes into the preparation of a meal. In response to this, Japanese people refrain from eating and walking at the same time. The only time they do this is when attending a festival
https://www.rickshawtravel.co.uk/japan/blog/10-fun-facts-about-japan/
Slurping your noodles loudly is considered good manners
-In Japan, there are noodles of every variety everywhere. In restaurants, it's considered good manners to slurp them loudly. This shows the chef who lovingly prepared your meal that you are enjoying it very much. You grab your chopsticks and lean over your bowl. Bibs can be provided for foreigners, or gaijin as they are known as. By the time you leave, you should be able to finish a bowl without spots or stains on your shirt
Christmas Eve meals are not what you expected in Japan
-Japan is the last place on Earth you would expect to find a Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC. This restaurant is known for being Christmas Eve meals for a lot of people in Japan. It sounds strange, I know. The lines for orders at KFC is quite long. People will put in orders weeks to months in advance. It was said that for Christmas-curious Japanese, turkey and chicken was not available. So KFC decided to try their hand at targeting the Far East market for those curious about the Christmas season
Japan is not just big cities
-It's one of the most beautiful places in the world. But it's not just cities. There is a lot of natural beauty as well. There are over 100 active volcanoes, the iconic Mount Fuji, with a height of 3,776 meters and there is around 70% of Japan which is forest and mountains not suitable for living
Japan has a Rabbit Island
-I must go here!!! I love rabbits!!!
-There are nearly 7,000 islands that make up Japan. Okunoshima is located in the Inland Sea and it's known for its high population of big-eared, carrot munching furry critters. This island was used as a testing facility for chemical weapons during WWII and the test subjects used for the chemical weapons roamed free after the war. Predators do not exist on this island, since cats and dogs are banned from entering. This creates a popular spot for rabbit lovers
Four is an extremely unlucky number in Japan
-In Japanese, the character "shi" is the translation for the number 4. It's avoided because it sounds too similar to the Japanese word for death. You'll notice that buildings do not list a fourth floor, items are sold in packs of three or five and even special care is taken to avoid using or encountering this number in every day life
There is a bizarre festival where men strip down to nothing
-Hadaka Matsuri is one of the most bizarre festivals in all of the festivals Japan celebrates and has to offer. For this particular festival, thousands of Japanese men strip to complete nudity to try and secure a year filled with good luck and fortune
Japanese trains are amongst the most punctual
-In Japan, it's high priority to be on time. It's considered respectful to be on time. The longest delay in Japanese trains is only about 18 seconds. When drivers go through training, they do it in an ultra-realistic simulator. They often drive only one train line, so that they don't need a speedometer to tell them the speed. Rail companies fiercely compete with each other for business, so being late simply won't do. They work hard to keep their control of Japan's rail commuters, doing whatever it takes, including building elaborate department stores in the stations
Odd flavors are a common sight in Japan
-When it comes to Japanese food, candy and more, odd flavors are considered normal. It would not be odd at all to enter a convenience store and see candy in flavors like matcha green tea, soy sauce or more. It's said that the Japanese love weird flavors. The candy Kit Kat is especially popular because its name sounds similar to "kitto katsu", which translates into "good luck." There are tons of various flavors for Kit Kats, from eel, edamame (Japanese soy bean) and ginger ale to green tea and wasabi
-If you're in the United States and are familiar with the grocery store chain Jungle Jim's, go here and check out the Japanese candy section. It will blow your mind!!! There are also many Asian supermarkets throughout the US that stock Asian-based foods, candies and more. There is an Asian supermarket near me that stocks all sorts of interesting items from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and more
Everyone has their own seal
-In Japan, signatures are not used, seals are. Everyone has their own unique seal to identify themselves. Known as hanko, the seal is basically your name but put into Kanji characters. They are made from silk or plant based paste. Adults have three hankos: one for signing off on letters and other personal correspondence, a seal for bank-related matters and a personal seal for identity. They're not necessary for tourists, but foreigners living in Japan, often known as gaijin can go to a small handicraft store and have a seal made for them
Anti-Ninja floors are common
-During the Feudal period of Japan, Japanese lords with a lot of money would build homes with intentionally squeaky floors (known as Nightingale floors) as a security measure against Ninjas. These highly trained, iconic and legendary mercenaries of the feudal era of Japan were strongly steeped in myth and folklore. They were said to be able to walk on water, turn invisible and even control the elements. They were also deadly assassins highly trained in the art of stealth and weapons. They would use shuriken, or "throwing stars", which were small round discs with sharpened knives all around it or use the traditional Japanese katana sword (pronounced ka-ta-na)
https://awaytothecity.com/facts-about-japan/
There are three distinct writing systems
-Some people think that the written language of Japanese is all one symbol type. They could not be more wrong. There are three distinct writing systems in Japan. Japanese will combine all three. They are hiragana, katakana and kanji.
Katakana
-カタカナ. Also a phonetic script, like hiragana with 46 characters. Katakana is used with foreign loanwords, scientific terms, emphasis
Hiragana
-ひらがな. Hiragana. This is a phonetic script used for Japanese words and grammar. This is the easiest part of Japanese to learn. Each of the 46 characters represent a different sound
Kanji
-漢字. Chinese characters that represent ideas and concepts
Japan is the hub of modern technology while also looking to their past
-While Japan is on the cutting edge of modern technology, they still hold fast to their technology from years past. You might notice that in Tokyo people still use older model mobile phones. And some offices have decades-old fax machines. Many services in Japan require paperwork to be sent in via mail and personal stamps, called hanko, are used for authentication at banks and real estate agencies. Even though digital payment and credit cards are starting to become accepted, cash is the best way to pay in many restaurants and shops. The mixing of modern and old technology shows Japan's deep respect for the past while keeping with the modern times. It also shows the older technology being respected for its reliability
Tattoos have a tough history in Japan
-I will definitely have to research ahead of time. I have tattoos, 9 of them. At least two of them are Japanese-related. They are a geisha in a turquoise kimono adorned with cherry blossoms, holding a fan depicting Mount Fuji and a koi fish with Japanese maple leaves in their fall coloring. And I'm contemplating getting another one....
-Many cultures see tattoos as a form of self-expression, a way of telling you more about the person than the person could actually say. But in Japan, they have a different meaning. Traditions in Japan state that tattoos were strongly linked to organized crime, such as the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia). Despite restrictions on tattoos relaxing in years past, many businesses may still restrict someone from entering if they have tattoos visible. In Japan, it's rare to see tattoos on display. Many cover them up due to social norms and a conservative society. Roughly 1.4 million Japanese adults have tattoos. This rounds up to about 1.1% of the population. This is a far lower number than Britain and the United States. If you have tattoos, you can still visit Japan. Just make sure to do some serious research about the rules of the places you plan on going to see if there are restrictions about tattoos being visible
You can leave your valuables unattended with confidence and ease
-Japan is ranked the 17th safest country in the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. Low crime rates are well known here. It's a common sight to see people leaving their valuables unattended. Not messing with one's belongings when they are not there shows respect and trust for other's property and reinforces the concept of Japan being safe
Japan experiences at least 84 earthquakes a month
-Since Japan is on the Pacific Ring of Fire, earthquakes and volcanic activity are common occurrences. At least four tectonic plates meet where Japan is located, indicating a high level of earthquake activity. Not only are there earthquakes, but active volcanoes, including the most iconic mountain of all, Mount Fuji. Most of the earthquakes in Japan are barely felt. The country averages one almost every 8 hours. Despite this country being volcano activity prone and earthquake prone, they are well trained in earthquake and volcanic activity. The buildings are built to be earthquake-proof, there is a strong disaster management system in place, real time alerts are sent out and drills are practiced on a regular basis. This reinsures the safety of all of those who are in Japan, should an earthquake strike or a volcano erupt
Manhole covers are works of art
-Instead of the boring covers of sewers that other cities have, bearing just the name of the company who made it, Japan has taken it a step further and made manhole covers works of art. Each city features different works of art on the manhole covers. These artworks reflect the local culture and history of that region or city. You can see works of art featuring castles, cherry blossoms, creatures from mythology or folklore and more
Japan's cars resemble shoe boxes
-"Kei cars" are popular in Japan. Cars will often be small and compact, boxy in shape. These cars are small, with specific size and engine limits and are the smallest cars allowed on the road. Referred to as "shoeboxes on wheels", kei cars are incredibly popular in cities because of their small size, making them easy to park and move through narrow or crowded streets. At least 34% of the cars in Japan are kei cars
This country is obsessed with all things cute or Kawaii as it's known in Japanese
-Cute stuff is everywhere. Japan has an obsession with all things cute or kawaii. This cuteness factor is everywhere, from food to ads to food packaging to toys and even in people's appearance
Japan has a seriously low immigration rate
-The 2018 census shows that 97.6% of the population is authentic Japanese. The low level of immigration stems from the fact that the culture has stayed more or less the same for a very long time. This country places high value on tradition and works hard each and every day to preserve that unique way of life
Japanese citizens place high value on quiet
-High value is placed on being quiet. Especially on public transportation. Conversations on public transportation is kept quiet or at a low volume. There are reminders everywhere to keep phones on silent. The reason you don't see people talking on their phones in cafes or restaurants is because by refraining from doing this, you are showing respect for those around you. You'll notice a calm and quiet tranquility around you
Japanese citizens do not blow their nose in public
-It sounds strange, but actually blowing your nose in public is considered impolite in Japan. If one has to blow their nose, they do it discreetly to show respect for others. Blowing your nose loudly in public draws unwanted attention and makes others uncomfortable
Japan has 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
-There are 26 locations that are considered extremely important to the unique culture of Japan. They are added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. These locations reflect the diverse and rich history of Japan. These places can include Shinto shrines, ancient Buddhist temples, lovingly restored historic castles. More well known sites include Mount Fuji, Himeji Castle, the ancient city of Kyoto
