40 Wild Facts That Prove Japan Is Unlike Any Other Country

Mount Fuji. Bullet trains. Cherry blossom seasons that look like they came out of a movie. Clearly, Japan is a place like no other. But there are so many more awesome things in the country than mountains and trees. From transparent toilets, no, you read that right, to maid cafes and square watermelons, here’s our list of 40 things that will make you want to move there immediately. We dare you not to fall in love with the bowing deer…

40. Mayo Margarita, anyone?

Mayo is a big deal in Japan. But perhaps the most unique method of delivery is in a cocktail. And yes, it’s as grim as it sounds, to our ears anyway. Catchily named the Mayogarita, it’s a regular Margarita with just a hint of creamy mayo mixed in… Yum? If you’re ever in the mood, you can grab one at the Mayonnaise Kitchen in Tokyo. 

39. Napping on the job

No, you read that absolutely correctly. Grabbing a winker at work is totally fine in Japan. The Japanese workforce works longer hours than any other on the planet, but they get the least amount of sleep at night. We kid you not. So taking power naps at your desk is a sign of how hard you work, not how much you party. And bosses don’t mind. 

38. Vending machines for EVERYTHING

We think it’s pretty safe to say that the Japanese have completely and utterly embraced vending machine culture. Where Westerners really only use vending machines as a last resort, they’re the shopping location of choice for many in Japan. And we’re not talking just soda and terrible coffee here. The country’s five million machines serve their customers everything from drinks to freshly cooked pizza, insects and yes, underwear. Second-hand underwear!

37. More Adults wear diapers than babies do

This one is… probably what we’ve all got in store, if we’re being honest. As Japan’s population is politely considered “aging,” the number of seniors has begun, it seems, to outstrip the number of newborns. Japan has the largest percentage of over 65s on the planet. And that means diaper companies sell 2.5 times more adult-sized incontinence products there than they do infant-sized diapers. 

36. Gum Disposal unit

Sometimes a genius idea can be so simple that it’s a wonder no one came up with it before. Remember that scene in Elf where Buddy eats the gross discarded gum, stuck to the street furniture? That doesn’t happen in Japan because packets of gum there come with these handy little squares of paper, just big enough for you to wrap up your gum in when you’re done. Winning!

35. No More Fours

Where we in the West can be said to have something of an aversion to the number 13, in Japan they dislike a completely different number. Yes, over there, it’s the number four. So elevators will leave it off the keypad, and the entire fourth floor will be skipped in Japanese buildings. Why the fear of four? Well, it seems, the Japanese word for that number sounds a little too much like the word for death. 

34. Godzilla can vote

Japan is clearly very proud of its famously monstrous creation, the giant, fire-spitting lizard, Godzilla. The character has spawned myriad movie, TV and anime spin offs. But the Japanese have taken that adoration just a tiny bit further. So beloved is the giant lizard, he’s been made an actual citizen of Japan. Which, we assume, means he can vote. His official duties, though, don’t end there. The cultural icon is also an official tourism ambassador.

33. Bowing Deer

Sharing cities and towns with wildlife is something a lot of us are used to. But few of us see the natural world quite like this. In the Japanese town of Nara, deer roam free. Yup, they actually share the space with their human neighbors. And like all good neighbors, they have impeccable manners. If you approach one, cracker in hand, it will bow to you before receiving your crunchy gift. Make sure you bow first, though. It’s only polite.

32. Square Watermelons

We’d always thought that watermelons only came in one shape: watermelon. But if you live in Japan, you can get your fruit fix in a variety of shapes. And that includes squares. How do Japanese growers do it? Well, the melon is grown in the container of your desired shape and voila. Be warned though, it’s a really expensive way to get your five a day. 

31. Postal Dive

The country has an actual underwater mailbox...for actual, waterproof mail. And it also holds a world record. Because this particular mailbox is around 33 feet below the surface of the ocean. And while you may think it probably is the least used mailbox in the world, you’d be wrong. Apparently, 200 messages are dropped into it during peak periods. 

30. Black Cats are Good luck

In Western culture, black cats get a fairly bad rep. For a start, they’re associated with witches, thanks Sabrina, and apparently that’s not good. Then there’s the idea that crossing paths with a black cat is bad luck. In Japan, though, black cats fare much better. The sleek felines are considered good luck there, signifying wealth and prosperity. And have absolutely nothing to do with witches. 

29. Blue Traffic Lights

In Japan some traffic lights give drivers the all-clear to move off with a blue signal. The explanation is a bit long-winded, so here’s the short version. There wasn’t always a word for green in the Japanese language, so the word for blue was also used to describe green things. But even though green now has its own word, some people continue to use the old-style description. And that results in blue traffic lights.

28. Braille Cans

Soda cans obviously all have different designs on them. Otherwise, how would we buy the right drink? But what if you can’t see the design? All cans feel the same to the touch, so how can a visually impaired person tell the difference between Mountain Dew and Root Beer? They can’t. Unless some incredibly clever person adds the names of the sodas on the top of the can – in braille. Which they do in Japan. 

27. Ramen Baths

Ramen soup is delicious And in Japan they’ve found an altogether different use for this popular meal. It’s got nothing to do with eating it. In parts of the country, giant bathtubs full of the stuff are used for… bathing. Yup, soaking in Ramen is apparently good for your skin. But if a Ramen bath isn’t for you, there are also green tea and sake versions available. 

26. Arty Iron Work

It seems everything is prettier in Japan. Be that the cherry blossom trees, the vistas or even the food. Nothing is allowed to be ugly or utilitarian. And that aesthetic even extends to stuff in the road. Can you see how beautiful these manhole covers are? And let’s just remind ourselves that these only cover the entrance to the sewage system.

25. 3D Menus

Restaurant menus can be dry affairs. Flowery descriptions of food that oftentimes leave you with little clue as to what you’ll actually be eating. In Japan, though, they’ve taken menus to the next level. See that perfectly plated delicious-looking table of food at the front of the restaurant? It might look enticing, but do not eat it. It’s a plastic 3D rendering of the menu. Clever, right? Because that’s how you get people to eat.

24. Transparent Toilets

Yes, only in Japan can the bathrooms be completely transparent while in a public park. Admittedly they’re super pretty and look amazing. And you can see from a huge distance that they’re incredibly clean. But why would anyone want to pee in full view of the public? No one that’s who, which is why they become opaque when occupied. That’s what we call art.

23. Bunny Island

It’s colloquially called this for a very good reason. The cute little bouncers have been allowed to breed like crazy on Okunoshima Island. Thus they’ve turned the place into a literal bunny island. With no natural predators there, the population has exploded. But they’re super friendly and love cuddles and having their picture taken, apparently.

22. Carp in the canals

Given that Koi carp require only the very best water to survive, it’s nothing short of a miracle that they’re thriving in this city’s drainage canals. It was actually an earthquake and tsunami in 1972 that makes it possible to spot these beautiful fish in such an unnatural habitat today. The result of extra spring water- crystal clear drains. Miracle or not, they’re now a tourist hot spot and beautiful to boot.

21. Handle with ‘Za

Ever noticed how difficult it is to carry a hot pizza? We know it’s probably been a while, but the delivery drivers among you will totally feel this. It’s almost impossible to carry it and not melt you skin, or destroy the lovingly crafted ‘za. Step forward Japan, with the perfect way to protect and serve your pie. A handle that goes across the box. And it keeps both you and your meal intact. Genius.

20. Weird Kit-Kats

We all love a special edition Kit-Kat. But in Japan their candy tastes vary ever so slightly. Popular seasonal flavors include the likes of sake, wasabi and purple sweet potato. With chocolate. Anyhoops, the popularity of this particular candy might not just be down to the, ahem, interesting flavors. The crispy snack’s name, Kitto-Katto, is very close to the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu,” which means, “Surely, you will win.” 

19. Fancy Bathrooms

Japan has also perfected the art of domestic restrooms. Whatever you think you know about restroom options, be prepared to have your mind blown. Because how much would you like to have a porcelain throne that emits white noise? Or perfume? And comes with an automatic seat as well as a built in bidet and a dryer? A ton, that’s how much.

18. Front Seat viewing

Now, we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with having a TV in the car. As long as it’s in the back for keeping the little ones entertained on long journeys. Screens in the front of the car in the West are reserved exclusively for navigation, because, you know, safety. But in Japan, drivers are more than comfortable with the TV on the dashboard while they’re driving. Wow. 

17. Restaurant in a can

If you’d gone to a restaurant and discovered that you’d been served food from a can, you’d be livid right? But in Japan there’s a chain of eateries that only serves food from a can. But it’s not your usual Chef Boyardee fare. These tins contain, shall we say, slightly more exotic meals. Salad in a tin, anyone? Or maybe some curried sea lion? How about the chrysalis of a silkworm? 

16. Polite Ground Crew

Good manners are such an integral part of Japanese culture that they do occasionally, maybe, take it to extremes. And this is one such extreme. Japanese ground crew extend their good manners to all who cross the tarmac, including those that take off from it. They actually bow before waving goodbye to aircraft as they head for the skies. And we bet every single passenger waves back.

15. Stand, Eat, Leave

While Japan has a well-established vending machine culture, allowing consumers to buy almost anything in the street, there’s one thing they simply won’t do. Where we might think nothing of grabbing a bite and eating while we walk, that simply does not happen in Japan. Eating and walking is considered the height of bad taste. Which means that when hungry Japanese commuters grab a snack from a machine out of convenience, they’ll eat it standing still. 

14. Point-less Place

No matter how hard you might try, sometimes pointing is the only way to get your message across. Despite your mom’s warnings that it’s just rude, pointing is an invaluable communication tool. Unless you’re Japanese. Because pointing just isn’t done there, in any fashion. And it’s because your mom was right. Anyhow, if you absolutely have to gesticulate in such a fashion, use your entire hand. 

13. Everybody Slurps

It seems there’s a whole other set of rules for sit-down eating. And one of them is really noisy. It’s something we absolutely can’t stand in the West, but in Japan, it’s the height of good manners. What are we talking about? Slurping your food! While we might think it rather uncouth, the Japanese want you to make appreciative noises when you eat. It shows you’re enjoying your meal and compliments the chef.

12. KFC for Christmas

In an example of just how powerful marketing can be, in 1974 the Colonel changed an entire country. Christmas, historically, hasn’t been massive in Japan, with just a small fraction of the residents identifying as Christian. But that doesn’t stop them queuing up for a family-sized bucket of the Colonel’s finest chicken in holiday season. All thanks to a slogan in the 1970s!

11. Forever Frozen

We love ice cream. But unless you can stuff it all into your mouth quickly, it can end up one big, gross-looking puddle. Clearly the Japanese feel us, because they’ve come up with a way to stop melting. And we don’t mean slow it down, they’ve actually stopped it. Which means your ice cream stays cold, semi-solid and delicious. No sticky fingers here.

10. Spa Trains

Not content with having the planet’s fastest public transport, Japan has also claimed the most luxurious. What makes them so? Well, how would you like to soak your feet at the end of a long day, before you get home? On a Japanese train, you absolutely can, equipped as they are with foot spas. Plus once you’ve soaked your tired feet, and you decide you don’t like your view, you can simply swivel your seat for a better one.

9. Selfie help

Taking that perfect, Instagram-ready picture can sometimes be tricky. Getting the right angle, distance and, most importantly, looking fine all takes work. If you’re traveling in Japan, though, snapping that shot is a tiny little bit easier. Rather than letting people jostle for position, the Japanese authorities installed selfie stands at popular tourist spots. A thoughtful and practical addition to street furniture that ensures beautiful pix every time. 

8. Maid Cafes

Ever wanted to be waited on, a la Downton Abbey, but don’t have the English connections or money? Well, in Japan they’ve come up with a solution. Welcome to the concept of the Maid Cafe. A place where you can go and get a meal, served to you by your very own maid. She’ll call you master or mistress and if you’re very lucky, you’ll get spoon fed.

7. No germs please

We’ve all become a little more germ-aware over the last couple of years. But the Japanese have been all over it for much longer. And that means they’ve come up with lots of cool inventions to help keep bugs at bay. How would you like free anti-bac wipes for your phone? But our fave germ-fighting bit of kit is a book-cleansing machine. Simply place your favored tome inside it and the lights zap away all those paper-loving nasties.

6. Night-night light

The Japanese have come up with the perfect way to solve that age-old bedtime argument. Who hasn’t had a roommate that goes to sleep way too early? Or stays up way too late? Which means we’ve all been unhappy with the nighttime light situation at some point. Lucky, then, that this beautifully diplomatic example of nighttime harmony exists in Japanese hotel rooms. Half on, half off, 100 percent lit.—

5. Olympee-c Games

A toilet with a built-in games system? Yes, but it’s not just any old games system. Because that would require the use of your hands, and technically, if you’re standing at a urinal, they should be otherwise engaged. In Japan, these games are controlled with… pee. Yup. Pee. Not sure why, but at least it encourages wayward pee-rs to reign in their urine. And, we assume, earn Pee Points like a good boy.

4. Invisible Ink

While tattoos continue to gain popularity worldwide, not everyone is a fan of body art. Which is why, we presume, showing your ink in public in Japan can be a social no-no. But help is very much at hand. And it comes in the form of some handy little stickers that completely cover your tattoos. Making trips to the gym far less stressful.

3. Narrow abode

Japan isn’t just one landmass, it’s actually made up of loads of islands. And while a handful, including Osaka, are fairly sizable, the rest of them are pretty small. Which means that living space is at a premium. What’s the best way to combat a lack of space? By building narrow houses that reach for the sky. Yup, they might be skinny, but they go up several floors.

2. Manga on a roll

Such is Japan’s love for Manga animation and comics that they’ve even added it to one of life’s absolute essentials. Although considering just how many tie-ins are available, from laundry detergent to coat hangers, it was always just a matter of time before they got to the bathroom. Because you can actually buy – and use – manga themed toilet paper. 

1. Game show artistry

It’s fair to say that Japan does game shows unlike the rest of the world. Some of them are incredible, while others are just terrifying. And there’s the show where contestants have to guess whether something is made of candy or not, and then eat it. It’s made all the more unpredictable by the amazing things candymakers can do these days. Which sometimes means people end up eating things that aren’t candy, like shoes.