Japan is a popular travel destination with its rich culture, unique cuisine, beautiful tourist spots, and distinctive practices and traditions. Some parts will take you back to time while some parts will amaze you with technology, you’ll think you’re in the future. The Land of the Rising Sun definitely has a lot to offer to tourists – one visit is not enough!
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Japan is not just about history and traditions – what fascinates tourists is the amount of quirky and bizarre things and customs that they witness. It can be confusing sometimes. One thing is for sure – you will never get bored in Japan. Here is a list of just some of the fascinating and quirky finds that you can observe in Japan!
Vending machines everywhere
One fascinating thing about Japan is that you can find vending machines everywhere. In fact, there are over 5 million vending machines in the country. You may be wondering why there are so many vending machines. This is because the vending machines in Japan are not limited to drinks and snacks.
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You can find a vending machine for anything! These vending machines also offer a variety of goods from toys, snacks, fish, vegetables, heated instant meals, clothes, and more. You can practically do all your shopping in the street! It is so convenient!
High-tech toilets
While most of us would think twice before using a public toilet, it will be a different case in Japan. The Japanese take their comfort and their hygiene seriously when using the toilet. It is no wonder that they put in a lot of time in producing the fanciest toilets in the world.
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Japanese toilets are very high-tech. Features include a built-in bidet, seat warmer, Bluetooth speakers, perfume dispensers, automated seat raiser, and even noise-canceling options. In fact, they have become so popular that they are being shipped all over the world these days.
Capsule hotels
Japan has a very unique form of lodging and they are called capsule hotels. These hotels offer tiny bed-sized rooms or pod-like rooms that are close to each other and bunked on top of each other like lockers.
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The rooms are transparent so privacy is non-existent but they are very affordable. It is a cheap option for you to sleep in if you just need a place to sleep or rest for a night. They are a hit for backpacking tourists who are often on the move. Most of these establishments are located near airports.
Organized commute
Commuting is usually a rough experience in other countries but Japan has strict guidelines for all commuters and one of them is to never break the queue. The Japanese value their time and personal space so you will never have a tough time commuting around Japan.
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There is a certain sense of calm while commuting in Japan. Everyone falls in line, everyone stays behind the yellow line, there is no cutting in line. You do not have to push or shove your way around. You can easily tell that Japan is big in discipline.
Family bike
The Japanese never run out of good ideas and one of these is the family bike. If you are a parent with two young kids and you can’t afford to get a car, this is the normal go-to transportation in Japan.
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The front area of the bike has a baby carrier by the steering wheel so that the parent can check on them while they drive the bake. Meanwhile, there is also a covered toddler seat at the back.
Scandalous game shows
Have you ever watched a Japanese game show? They can get wild! In fact, some game shows are not even allowed to broadcast outside of Japan because of their content. Most Japanese game shows place their contestants in weird, humiliating, and sometimes gross situations.
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It is hard to imagine respectful, disciplined Japanese citizens in these situations but there are people in Japan who would do anything for a price. If you want to see what is probably one of the wildest and weirdest side of Japan, try to see if you can sit in as an audience for a game show.
Green lines on the street
If you walk the streets of Japan, you may notice that there are green lines on the street. The presence of these green lines indicates that you are in a school zone, where kids often walk to and from school. The green line is the part of the street where the kids walk.
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It is very common for the Japanese to teach young kids to walk to school. These kids will always be instructed to walk along the green lines. Because of this, young kids can walk to school every day with fewer risks of ending up in the middle of the road or getting lost.
Cat cafes
Japan was the first to raise the hype for animal-themed coffeehouses. You can find a lot of coffee shops in the house that also feature adorable cats. Since then, you can see a lot of animal-themed cafes all over the world featuring mostly cats or dogs.
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The concept is that you can go in, enjoy some coffee and pastries and play with the cats. If a cat has won you over, you can feed them by buying them a treat from a special menu for the cats. If you are a cat lover, you should not miss out on this experience.
No thieves
Safety and security are one of the most attractive things about Japan. In fact, it is one of the safest countries in the world. Locals and tourists barely get mugged or robbed in Japan. Tourists often find the lack of fear in the locals fascinating.
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While most places would have signs all over to keep your eyes on your belongings with a disclaimer that they can not be held responsible for the theft, Japan has no risks at all. In fact, people often just leave their things confidently on the floor as they go about.
Phones on the ground
Here is another proof of how few the safety concerns and security risks are in Japan. It is a common sight for people who are napping during a subway ride to simply set their bags and phones on the ground. The Japanese choose to trust each other even with their valuables.
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In any part of the world, once you sleep on the commute and your phone is left exposed, someone will snatch it up in just a few seconds. This barely happens in Japan, allowing you to relax and let loose during your trip there.
Nameless streets
When we wander around, we often refer to street names to get an idea of where we are. In Japan, things are a little bit complicated because the majority of the streets do not have a name. What makes it weird is that the spaces amidst the street have names.
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In fact, the postal address in Japan does not have a street name included. This will probably make it hard for you to find your way around without a guide – especially if it is your first visit. Thank God for GPS, right?
Bathing in soup
Traditional bathhouses are big in Japan. It is a relaxing tradition that everyone enjoys for centuries. But in Japan, there is one particular bathhouse that stands out and you should check it out if you are into spa treatments. Here, you can bathe in a pot of pork ramen.
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Hakone’s Yunessen Spa Resort gives the traditional bath a twist by giving customers a chance to bathe in a pot of pork soup and ramen noodles. They had the idea from the demand for collagen treatments in skincare. Pork-based broth actually is rich in collagen and can do wonders for skin elasticity. Bathing in one will definitely give you an unforgettable experience!
Square watermelons
Watermelons are a popular summer fruit in Japan. Locals gift them to each other and they are also used as a piñata. But did you know that Japan has a unique and super pricey watermelon? In fact, one piece of this watermelon can cost as high as $160.
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These are square-shaped watermelons. The watermelons are grown this way on purpose so that they will be easier to fit into the fridge. The square watermelons are also easier to slice, not to mention better looking. You can also find watermelons in other shapes, but the square ones are the most common.
Burnt toast
Who loves burnt toast? Probably no one. Eating one first thing in the morning can easily ruin your mood. But in Japan, it is not unusual for you to be served black toast in the morning and this is actually a welcomed treat!
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Thankfully, the bread is not burnt. It just looks black because it is made with bamboo coal as an ingredient. The black bread is actually very soft and fresh. In fact, some would say it is softer than ordinary bread. It is definitely a must-try when you have breakfast in Japan.
Basket for your bags
A lot of tourists find this a bit extra but it is actually a hygienic move. When you dine in Japanese restaurants, you may find that the restaurant staff will provide a basket for your bag. This is especially when it is a small place.
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This is because there will not be enough space on the table or seats to fit a bag most of the time. When this happens, you will have no choice but to put your bag down on the floor. This way, the basket will protect your bag from getting dirty.
Sleep partner for hire
Japan has Soneiya, a cuddle club where male customers can have a nap next to a woman for a fee. Before you react, nothing nasty is happening here. You are only allowed to sleep next to the woman. In fact, soneiya literally means “sleeping together.”
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The club will give you several options. The shortest would be a 20-minute nap and the longest would last for a whole night. How lonely do you have to be to hire someone to sleep next to you? Well, a lot of Japanese happen to prioritize their careers over relationships – it is not surprising that some would find a need for companionship.
Baby crying contests
While most of us find baby cries tough to the ears, in Japan, a crying, shrieking baby is actually desired. The Japanese have the Nai Sumo Baby crying Festival held in the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo. During this festival, parents hand over their babies to sumo wrestlers and actually wish that their babies would cry.
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This may seem traumatizing for the babies since some sumo wrestlers would put on scary masks or scream directly into their faces. But this is actually a tradition that has been practiced for centuries. It is believed that a baby’s cry has spiritual effects and is powerful enough to drive away any demons lurking near them.
Floor maps on shopping carts
Don’t you hate it when your grocery store suddenly rearranges things and changes their layout? It can be very frustrating as you end up spending more time wandering around looking for what you need. In Japan, this is actually a normal thing.
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In fact, Japanese grocery stores change their layouts once per season. Every time they do, floor maps of the new layout are attached to the shopping carts so shoppers can still find their way around the shop with no problems.
Mascots and stuffed animals
Japan may seem strict and rigid to some because of how disciplined people are but the Japanese also know to have fun. In fact, you will run into huge mascots and large stuffed animals on your visit there.
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From time to time, mascots are also hired to go on train rides to cheer up passengers. You can find a lot of video clips about a mascot making passengers laugh on the train. They are also a fixture in store openings and holidays.
Godzilla is a Japanese citizen
Godzilla, the famous fictional lizard monster that rampaged Japan, was given citizenship in 2015. He is now the biggest and most popular resident of Shinjuku ward, Tokyo. Godzilla’s citizenship made him the tourism ambassador for that part of Tokyo.
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Godzilla has gained a lot of fans over the years internationally and the purpose for his citizenship was to draw in these fans to visit the city. There is no doubt that Godzilla made a worldwide pop culture impact and it is no wonder why the fictional monster is considered as the pride of Japan.
Unique Kit Kat flavors
Everybody loves Kit Kat but you can only get them in different flavors in Japan! If you want to taste Kit Kat in unique flavors, you will have to buy them from Japan. In fact, if you go on a quest to try out every Kit Kat flavor in Japan, it will take you a few months before you are done.
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The Japanese are fond of novelty food and drinks so it is no surprise that Kit Kat has produced over 300 different flavors in the country alone. You can get bizarre flavors like Soy Sauce Kit Kat to undoubtedly delicious ones like Strawberry Shortcake Kit Kat.
Noise control
Construction sites are always dreaded in a community because of the excessive noise they make. The huge amount of clanging metals, material dumping, drilling, hammering, can drive anyone living or working nearby crazy.
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In Japan though, you will not be able to tell if a construction site is happening near you. Noise is very minimal in these areas. The Japanese have no time for disturbance so huge building sites are required by the government to control their noise.
Randoseru backpacks
If you notice elementary students in Japan, most of them carry one type of backpack. In fact, you will often see this type of bag in anime shows. This is the famous Randoseru backpack. The bag is made out of high-quality leather and can last as long as 6 years. That is a worthy investment!
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The Randoseru backpack has become so popular that they have become a fashion item across the world. Before, they only produced standard colors – pink for girls and blue for boys. But due to its increasing demand in the worldwide market, more colors and patterns are now available.
Naptime at work
Remember when you were kids and you were forced to take naps? Japan actually encourages you to take a nap at work whether you are an employer or an employee! While being caught sleeping on the job can get you fired in most countries, in Japan, this is considered to be a positive thing.
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Japan considers sleeping on the job not a sign of laziness but a sign of hard work. An employee got so tired doing their job that they had no choice but to doze off. In fact, some Japanese companies give every employee a 30-minute privilege nap any time between 1 PM and 4 PM. The practice is called inemuri, which translates into “sleep while being present.”
Island of rabbits
If you love rabbits, Okunoshima, also known as Rabbit island or Usaga Jima, is a must-see tourist destination for you. As the name puts it, this is an island where you can surely interact with wild rabbits
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The island is home to hundreds of wild rabbits and they go about as if they own the place. You can find them anywhere. The rabbits are very friendly and are known to approach tourists and ask for cuddles.
KFC Christmas tradition
Did you know that most Japanese flock to KFC every Christmas as part of a Christmas tradition? This has been happening since 1970. Apparently, the owner of the first KFC franchise in Japan decided to go for the business when he overheard a couple of foreigners wishing they had poultry around for Christmas. They were actually looking for turkey meat (which is hard to find in Japan) but hey – KFC’s chicken is a great replacement!
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While fast food is not your typical Christmas meal, KFC has been a delight to many Japanese that a lot of them would happily spend their holidays there. The colonel’s secret spices and mashed potato and gravy definitely created an impact in the country.
Crooked teeth as a fashion trend
Do not be surprised when you run into a lot of people with crooked teeth in Japan. It’s not because the dentistry is bad – apparently, crooked teeth are actually a fashion statement. There is the desire to have double tooth caps on the canine teeth, making it look like fangs or achieving a toothy grin.
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Thankfully, this process is reversible if you have to have this done cosmetically. While the rest of the world was obsessed over invisible braces and getting perfectly straight teeth, Japan was embracing crooked teeth!
Blue traffic lights
When we think of traffic lights, we know the colors are red, green, and yellow. But in Japan, you can find the color blue, taking place of the green light. This is all thanks to the Japanese language. It turns out that the old Japanese language uses the same word for blue and green.
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Since the international traffic laws indicate green as the color for the go signal in traffic lights, the Japanese government compromised by using the bluest shade of green that they can get. This is why you can find teal, aqua green, or turquoise on the traffic lights in Japan.
Canned food restaurant
Japanese cuisine is well-loved all over the world because of its intricate cooking styles and unique flavors. Dining in a Japanese restaurant outside Japan is a classy experience. But in Japan, there is a certain chain of restaurants that may be eccentric to foreigners since they only serve canned food.
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Mr. Kanso does not only serve canned food exclusively, you can find the weirdest canned food in their restaurants as well. How weird? There is canned sea lion and canned silkworms. Even their salad comes in tin cans!
Floor table heater
When it is wintertime in Japan, every household brings out their kotatsu. A kotatsu is a home heater that comes with a floor table. The table has a blanket wrapped around the legs to keep the heat underneath.
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When the kotatsu is out, Japanese families will sit on the floor and keep their legs under the table to keep warm. They then often watch TV together while enjoying a snack. This actually makes a great family bonding moment!
Pocket heater
It can get very cold in Japan during winter. A winter product unique to the country is pocket heaters. The pocket heater, also called Kairo, is a disposable chemical warmer that you carry around your pocket so your hands stay warm as you walk around in the cold. Once the heat is gone, you just simply dispose it.
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Modern versions of the product can now be attached to the inside of your coats to help you keep warm. Some products require some gentle shaking to activate the chemical reaction while others would just require you to open the seal.
Dress shirts at 7-Eleven
7-Eleven is no doubt the king of convenience stores – you can find one all over the world. In the Western part of the world though, 7-Eleven has goods that are limited to food and drinks. But in Japan, it is a totally different level.
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Japanese 7-Eleven stores carry dress shirts suited for office wear. This means if you stained your shirt while on your lunch break, you can simply just drop by a convenience store to get a new, presentable shirt! No need to go home or rush to the mall!
Non-melt ice cream
The Japanese deserve an award for creating ice cream that does not melt. This ice cream can stand the heat from an air dryer for five seconds while ordinary ice cream would melt right away. You get to enjoy your ice cream longer in Japan!
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The chemical that solidifies the ice cream was discovered by accident in 2011. It was during an experiment to help strawberry farmers who often had to suffer huge damages when a tsunami hits their farm.
Kawaii nation
Japan may seem like a strict and disciplined nation but it is also home to all things cute. Kawaii is an important part of Japan’s pop culture and translates to “radiant face” but to the world, kawaii has translated into “cute.”
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Japan is home to Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Domo, Tarepanda, Kuromi, and many more! This is also the reason why you often find adorable mascots around the country. If you know a little girl waiting for you back home, you will never run out of souvenir ideas!
Automated paying systems
The Japanese are very trusting and honest people. In fact, you can find a lot of automated payment systems set up where cashiers should be keeping watch to make sure that everyone pays.
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You can easily walk away from these automated payment stations and no one will stop you. But in Japan, the people there have enough dignity to pay for the things that they use even if nobody is watching.
Cleaning kids
School janitors have it easy in Japan as kids actually do the cleaning as part of their education. Kids have a scheduled time in the day where they learn to clean and organize their classrooms and also clean the toilets. While some parents in other countries would frown on this, this is welcomed in Japan as part of their discipline.
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This tradition is called O-soji which translates to “big cleaning.” The practice is not limited to the school. Once or twice a year, kids are also gathered to clean up their neighborhood. This tradition aims to teach Japanese kids to respect their environment and refrain from making a mess.
Rice paddy art
The provincial areas of Japan have numerous rice paddies. To encourage tourists not to limit their explorations in the city, farmers do rice paddy art or Inakadate. This has been practiced since 1993 and is being done in more than a hundred locations in Japan.
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There is a new paddy art every season and each one is a sight to behold. The rice paddy art is well-planned since you have to select different types of rice to achieve the image you want.
Punctual train schedule
Most Japanese commuters take the train. The train schedule is incredibly punctual that Japanese railway companies have someone to apologize to every passenger onboard not only when the train is delayed but also when the train leaves or arrives early! And this apology will be sent even if the difference is just a few seconds.
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If a train is delayed, the railway company will provide an official certificate that proves to your employer or school that you were late because the train really was delayed. Makes you wish you can have the same treatment when you are commuting in your country, doesn’t it?
Tipping is not encouraged
In American or European culture, it will be considered rude if you dine in a restaurant and do not tip the waiting staff. In Japan, the serving standards are very high. You get the best service possible. However, tipping is not encouraged. They do not believe that you should pay extra for good service.
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For Japanese waiting staff, a simple thanks are enough. It is actually the same case for hotels in Japan. But some staff are now used to tourists giving tips so if you do, they will show gratitude for the gesture. However, you should also make sure you do it discreetly such as handing the tip inside an envelope.
Public heaters
As mentioned earlier, winters can be brutal in Japan. Although the locals should be used to it by now, there is no doubt that a lot of tourists also come over to enjoy the snow. However, when you are not used to the cold, it can be a hassle to have your entire body freezing up as you do a tour of the country.
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Thankfully, the Japanese government does care for the welfare of its citizens and their visitors. Whenever winter is coming, heaters are installed in public places like playgrounds, parks, and open areas in the malls. All you have to do is approach one when you can no longer stand the cold you instantly feel warm and cozy!
Proper farewell
The Japanese value human relationships. Because of this, the Japanese are very courteous and respectful – even to total strangers. This is precisely why tourists always feel welcomed.
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In fact, when you leave Japan, you will find the airport ground crew waving and bowing towards departing airplanes. This is their customary and considerate way to give people a proper send-off.