Facts About Japan

60 Interesting Facts About Japan

 

1. Japan has been inhabited since 30,000 BC 
2. Japan is the 10th most populous country in the world with a population of over 127 million people.
3. Japan has over 100 active volcanoes with over 70% of the country being mountainous. 
4. Melons are very expensive in Japan. One can go for up to $400.
5. 85% of the coffee produced in Jamaica is exported to Japan.
6. One of the most interesting facts about Japan is that it has one of the highest literacy levels in the world with 99% literacy in children over 15 years old.
7. When you slurp your noodles loudly in Japan, it is considered a sign that you are enjoying the meal.
8. Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, handles over 2000 tonnes of fish daily, making it the world’s largest fish market. 
9. The Japanese tradition of shaving their heads was a sign of penance for violating rules and breaching honor.
10. The raised floors in Japanese buildings help indicate where you should take off your shoes.
11. The term "Geisha" means "person of the arts". What many people do not know is that the first Geisha were men. 
12. The life expectancy of the Japanese is 84 years. This is 4 years more than that of the United States.
13. There is a popular Japanese dish called Basashi that consists of slices of raw horse meat with onions and ginger.
14. Japan experiences about 1500 earthquakes per year.
15. Contrary to popular belief, whale meat is not considered a delicacy in Japan. However, whales are hunted for research. 
16. Due to excessive inbreeding, dogs in Japan have one of the highest defect rates. 
17. Japan has produced a total of 19 Nobel Prize winners since 1949.
18. Japan has a whooping 6800 islands.
19. Japan is the largest producer of animated TV shows with up to 60% of the market share in the world.
20. In Japan, you will find vending machines that dispense beer.
21. Toyota, a Japanese company, is the 3rd largest automobile producer in the world. 
22. Star Wars IV: A New Hope was based on Japanese movie called The Hidden Fortress.
23. Karaoke is a Japanese word for "empty orchestra."
24. Baseball is a popular sport in Japan.
25. One of the sad facts about Japan is that it has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.
26. Japanese families often use the same water for bathing.
27. Many Japanese streets do not have names.
28. In Japan, 98% of adoptions are male adults.
29. Over 50,000 people in Japan are more than 100 years old.
30. Late night dancing is prohibited by law in Japan.
31. Japan boasts the world’s oldest company which operated from 578AD to 2006.
32. In Japan, there are only 2 gun related homicides per year.
33. There are square watermelons in Japan.
34. The population of pets in Japan is larger than that of children.
35. One of the strangest facts about Japan is that there are more adult diaper sales than those of children diapers.
36. There is a highway that goes through a building in Japan.
37. More paper is used for printing comics than for toilet paper in Japan.
38. The Japanese believe that black cats bring good luck.
39. Most meals include rice in Japan.
40. In Japan, there are about 130 voice acting schools. This is due to the success of the anime industry. 
41. The population in Japan has very few immigrants with the Japanese making up 98% of the population.
42. The unemployment rate in Japan stand at only 4%.
43. The Japanese have a tradition of going to KFC during Christmas.
44. It is considered rude to say “no” to someone directly in Japan.
45. Tearing off a gift wrapping is considered impolite in Japan.
46. Snowmen in Japan are made with only two large snowballs.
47. In Japan, many people carry around a towel to wipe off their sweat.
48. Most Japanese homes have extra pairs of shoes for guests.
49. It is considered rude to walk while you are eating in Japan.
50. Bus drivers in Japan usually turn off their vehicles at red lights to reduce pollution.
51. Japanese train stations usually hire staff workers to shove passengers into the trains as they are usually very crowded.
52. Should you fall sick while in Japan, you should wear a mask to prevent spreading the disease.
53. Squid is the most popular pizza topping.
54. You can actually get fresh human breast milk at lactation bars. You can have a shot or get it straight from the nipple.
55. Police in Japan usually carry around paint balls to shoot at fleeing motorists. This allows them to identify them more easily.
56. One of the interesting facts about Japan is that there is a sacred shrine that is rebuilt after every 20 years.
57. One of the interesting Japanese culture facts is that crooked teeth are considered attractive. This belief is so deep seated that girls usually go to the dentist to have their teeth un-straightened. 
58. There is a competition for the “fastest shirt ironer” by Japanese men that takes place every year.
59. There is a traditional suicide spot in the Aokigahara forest at Mount Fuji’s base.
60. The world’s shortest escalator is found in Japan. It only has 5 steps.

Traditional Costumes

The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan, and it is worn nowadays on formal occasions. It is sometimes accused of being an impractical form of dress, but it has the advantage of giving the wearer a graceful and elegant deportment.

There are various different types of kimono for use at different times and on different occasions. Women's kimono include the furisodé and tomesodé for formal wear, the hômongi for paying calls, the tsukesagé, and the komon. Men's kimono include the montsuki hakama for ceremonial occasions and the haori for going out visiting. There is also the yukata, worn by both men and women as informal dress at home, in ryokan or for attending local festivals.

The shape of kimono is fixed, and individuality is achieved by careful selection of the material, the style of weaving and dyeing, the color, and the pattern, as well as by the choice of obi.

  

Traditional Japanese Sports

Sumo

Sumo is a traditional combative Japanese sport that is well known throughout the world. Most rikishi (Sumo wrestlers) are professional competitors weighing 100 to 200 kg.

Rules are simple compared to western-style wrestling: two competitors wearing mawashi (silk belts) fight in a ring 4.5m in diameter and placed on a square mound. When any part of a competitor’s body, except the sole of the feet, touches the ground or goes out of the ring, he loses the bout.

The professional sumo tournaments take place six times a year for 15 days each in January, May and September at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, March in Osaka, July in Nagoya and December in Fukuoka

Kendo

Kendo is Japanese-style fencing, which originated from kenjutsu, the most important martial art of the samurai. In the match, the competitor wears special protective gear and strikes at the opponent’s head, chest or hand with a bamboo sword.

Judo

Judo is well known throughout the world as a Japanese combative sport. The basic principle of Judo is a self-defense technique that makes use of the opponent's force. The player wears a coloured obi (belt), to show his or her level of ability, with white being for beginners and black for advanced.

Karate

Karate is a combative sport that came from China through Ryukyu Kingdom (present day Okinawa). The competitors of the match do not wear any kind of protection and use only their hands and fists. Compared to other combative sports, karate is a more practical martial art.

Aikido

The basic principle of Aikido is “Do not fight force with force”.
It is a sport that only practice forms for the sake of forms and is therefore not so rough as Judo or Karate. Aikido is excellent as mental training or as a fitness sport, and has become especially popular with women and senior citizens.

 Baseball

Baseball is so popular in Japan that many fans are surprised to hear that Americans also consider it their "national sport."

Professional baseball is well developed, with twelve teams being sponsored by major corporations. In Tokyo, the most favored place to see a game is the Tokyo Dome Stadium located in the ground of Tokyo Dome City Amusement Park.

Soccer

Soccer is a sport which now a focus of explosive popularity among children and young people in Japan. Japan has hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Korea. 

Japanese Culture

Japanese People

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japanese is a famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more.

Japanese Religion

For centuries japan has operated with a syncretic belief system: Shinto and Buddhist rituals coexisting side-by-side with increasing influence from other religions. This is why they say that in japan, people are born Shinto, get married Christian and die Buddhist.

Social Conventions

There are many social conventions in japan that westerners might find hard to understand, but that is the nature of different cultures and is part of the fun of being in a country like japan.

Japanese Garden

The Three Great Gardens of Japan are Kenrokuen , Korakuen, and Kairakuen is located in Kanazawa Castle. Kairakuen is located in Mito, not far from Tokyo, and boasts overthree thousand plum trees, whilst Korakuen is in Okayama and is notable for its spacious lawns - an unusual feature fora Japanese garden.

Drink  - Green Tea

In Japan, you'll hear a lots of different words for green tea. One of the most common you're likely to hear is matcha, which refers to the finely greound, powdered tea that is used i  Japanese tea ceremony. You can find all kinds of matcha flavoured products in Japan, from a matcha latte a Starbucks to matcha flavoured ice cream, chocolate and all kinds of sweets.

For centuries Japan has operated with a syncretic belief system: Shinto and Buddhist rituals coexisting side-by-side with increasing influence from other religions. This is why they say that in Japan, people are born Shinto, get married Christian and die Buddhist. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/religion/#sthash.nnGVvooH.dpuf

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japanese people appear at first glance to be one of the most socially and ethnically homogenous groups in the world. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japanese people appear at first glance to be one of the most socially and ethnically homogenous groups in the world. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Japan is famous for its supposed ethnic and social homogeneity, but there is much more to the story of the Japanese people than this popular myth. Today's vision of Japanese society includes minority groups that historically have been sidelined, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido and the Ryukyuans of Okinawa, as well as Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians and many more. - See more at: https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/people/#sthash.FnLvBDep.dpuf

Traditional Geisha Makeup

Geisha Makeup is rooted in a long tradition of Japanese history and culture we can only begin to scratch the surface on. For us Westerners, we can learn more about the application and use of this genre of makeup, and discover that it is much more than just a Halloween costume.

The Origins of Geisha

Geisha (the plural is the same as the singular) have long been confused with prostitution and other false facts that have plagued their profession, especially in recent years. In actuality, geisha are Japanese females who entertain through music, dance, and the simple art of conversation. Often hired at tea parties or other events primarily for business people, geisha are a popular part of Japanese culture gone past as well as still used today for tourism and novelty purposes.
Hiring a geisha can be very expensive, and geisha are required to remain single. If one chooses to marry, she must retire from this unique and elegant profession that is rich in history and intrigue.

Becoming a Geisha

Geisha go through a cycle of different phases and appearances, the two most obvious being the popularly depicted young geisha in heavy makeup, and the older more subtly made-up geisha that is closer to retirement age.
The traditional geisha makeups most Westerners have seen in pictures and through other forms of media include the heavy white foundation base. This was originally made out of rice powder or with lead, the latter of which was most obviously not good for the geisha's skin! The traditional geisha makeup look also includes strikingly red lipstick and red & black decorative etchings around the eye area.

Top 10 Foods in japan

Sushi

Sushi is raw fish served on rice seasoned lightly with vinegar. It’s in the variety of flavours and textures – like tangy, creamy uni (sea urchin roe) and plump, juicy, ama-ebi (sweet shrimp) – that things get interesting. Despite sushi’s lofty image, it has a humble origin: street food.

Ramen 

Ramen, egg noodles in a salty broth, is Japan’s favourite late night meal. It’s also the perfect example of an imported dish – in this case from China – that the Japanese have made completely and deliciously their own. There are four major soup styles: tonkotsu (pork bone), miso, soy sauce and salt. Fukuoka is particularly famous for its rich tonkotsu ramen; pungent miso ramen is a specialty of Hokkaido. 

Unagi 

Unagi is river eel grilled over charcoal and lacquered with a sweet barbecue sauce. According to folklore, unagi is the ideal antidote to the heat and humidity of Japan’s stultifying summers. It’s a delicacy evocative of old Japan and most restaurants that specialize in eel have a wonderfully traditional feel. Fresh, wild-caught unagi is available May through October.

 

Tempura 

Light and fluffy tempura is Japan’s contribution to the world of deep-fried foods (though it likely originated with Portuguese traders). The batter-coated seafood and vegetables are traditionally fried in sesame oil and served with either a tiny pool of salt or a dish of soy sauce-flavoured broth spiked with grated radish for dipping. Do not miss out on ebi-ten (tempura prawns).

Kaiseki 

Part dinner, part work of art, kaiseki is Japan’s haute cuisine. It originated centuries ago alongside the tea ceremony in Kyoto (and Kyoto remains the capital of kaiseki). There’s no menu, just a procession of small courses meticulously arranged on exquisite crockery. Only fresh ingredients are used and each dish is designed to evoke the current season. 

Soba

soba – long, thin buckwheat noodles – has long been a staple of Japanese cuisine, particularly in the mountainous regions where hardy buckwheat fares better than rice. The noodles are served in either a hot, soy sauce-flavoured broth or at room temperature on a bamboo mat with broth on the side for dipping. Purists, who bemoan soup-logged noodles, prefer the latter. 

Shabu - shabu

Shabu-shabu is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of thin slices of beef or pork being swished around with chopsticks in bubbling broth. It’s a decadent dish, with platters of marbled meat brought to the table for diners to cook themselves – it takes only a moment – one mouthful at a time.

Okonomiyaki 

Literally “grilled as you like,” okonomiyaki is Japanese comfort food at its best, and a clear violation of the typical refined image of Japanese food. It’s a savoury pancake filled with any number of things (but usually cabbage and pork) and topped with fish flakes, dried seaweed, mayonnaise and a Worcester-style sauce. It’s also a lot of fun: At most restaurants, diners grill the dish themselves at a hotplate built into the table. 

Tonkatsu 

Tonkatsu, breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, dates to the late 19th Century when Japan threw open its doors to Western influence. But never mind the European origin: the ingredients and attention to detail are thoroughly Japanese. Tonkatsu – especially when it’s kuro-buta (Berkshire pork) from Kagoshima – is melt-in-your-mouth tender, served with a side of miso soup and a mountain of shredded cabbage. 

Yakitori 

A cold beer and a few skewers of yakitori – charcoal grilled chicken – is an evening ritual for many of Japan’s weekday warriors. Nearly every part of the chicken is on the menu, all grilled to perfection, seasoned with either shio (salt) or tare (a sweet soy sauce-based sauce) and served with a side of friendly banter.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Japan

10 - Hiroshima Peace Memorial

One of the most moving day trips you can take in Japan is to Hiroshima.
Prosperous once again, the city will forever be synonymous with the tragedy of war and the atomic bomb that was dropped on the city at the close of World War II in 1945.
A visit to Hiroshima focuses on Peak Memorial Park, and the enigmatic shell of the ruined A Bomb Dome. A cenotaph contains the names of the bomb’s known victims, lit by the Flame of Peace.

9 - Jigokudani Monkey Park

Some of Japan's most photogenic residents spend their days soaking in the natural hot springs of the snowy Japanese Alps near Nagano Prefecture. These are Japanese white macaques, more popularly called snow monkeys, and the best place to see them is at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

While located some 150 miles (240 kilometers) from Tokyo, the trip to Nagano only takes 90 minutes by bullet train, making it possible to see the snow monkeys and other Nagano highlights on a day trip from the capital. While the bathing primates are certainly the stars of the show in Nagano, a trip to this chilly northern region of Japan wouldn’t be complete without enjoying your own soak in a traditional onsen, or hot spring.

8 - Kiyomizu-Dera

The Kiyomizu Temple is an ancient institution, dating back to 798 AD and the days of Nara. Its classic design influenced temple architecture for centuries.
The hill-top temple is a Kyoto landmark, and provides fabulous views over the city. The main hall juts out over the hillside and its tumbling waterfall, and is surrounded by gardens and shrines.
You’ll find pavilion tea houses and restaurants in the grounds, and the steeply inclining steps leading up to the temple are lined with souvenir and snack stalls.

 

7 - Himeji Castle 

If you take a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, make it Himeji. The famous many-tiered white castle at Himeji is acclaimed as Japan’s most beautiful and complete historic citadel.
Known as the White Egret, the hilltop castle was built in 1580. The main features are its five-story central tower and surrounding moats, walls and pagodas. From its mountain-top eerie, the castle appears to float on a sea of Japanese pine trees.
Take an organized tour to discover the castle’s history and many nuances, such as the many openings in the defensive walls that were used for pouring boiling oil onto intruders.
The castle grounds are flanked by the ponds and tea rooms of Koko-en Gardens, a welcome retreat for a stroll or lunchtime stop.

6 - Great Buddha of Kamakura 

Get a taste for the beautiful landscapes and serene religious monuments outside Tokyo as you visit the city of Kamakura on this guided day trip. Take a Kamakura tour, gazing at the city’s Great Buddha, historic Hasedera Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. Sip green tea while overlooking a rock garden and enjoy a Japanese lunch before heading to Yokohama, where you’ll cross the city’s iconic cable-supported bridge. Round-trip coach transport from selected hotels is included.

5 - Todaiji Temple 

Located in Deer Park (Nara Park) in Nara, about 35 minutes from Osaka by train, Todaiji Temple is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant Buddhist temples. Originally built in the year 752, the temple as it exists today dates back to 1709. The main hall, called Big Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), is the world’s largest wooden building, even though it’s a third smaller than the original hall from the 700s. 

 The greatest attraction in the Todaiji Temple complex is the enormous bronze Buddha statue (Japan’s largest) housed with the massive main hall. When the temple was first built, Emperor Shomu planned for Todaiji to serve as the headquarters of Buddhism throughout Japan, and he ordered the casting of the statue as part of that plan. The 50-foot-tall (15-meter-tall) statue required eight castings to complete. 

 

4 - Tokyo Tower

At 1,092 feet (333 meters) tall, Tokyo Tower is an impressive Japanese landmark that offers 360-degree views of the city. Housing an aquarium, two observation decks, a Shinto shrine, a wax museum and the famous Foot-Town, Tokyo Tower is a great center for entertainment. Built in 1958 and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, this structure is the central feature of Tokyo. At night, the tower lights up, creating a beautiful glow throughout the city.

On the first floor travelers will find an aquarium of more than 50,000 fish, a souvenir shop, multiple restaurants and an observatory. The second floor houses the food court, while the third floor includes the wax museum and the Guinness World Record Museum. An arcade center can be found on the fourth floor, and finally, on the top floor is the main observatory and the amusement park roof garden.

3 - Tokyo Imperial Palace 

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is home to the head of state, and is where the Imperial Family lives. It is also the former site of the Edo Castle. Filled with gardens, ancient stone bridges, and museums, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is a beautiful, historical, and important cultural landmark in Japan.
In front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two ancient, stone bridges that lead to the inner palace grounds. The inner palace grounds are not open to the public, except on January 2 and December 23, two days that commemorate the New Year and the Emperor's birthday. However, the Imperial East Gardens are open to the public, and stand at the foot of the hill where the foundation of the Edo Castle tower still remains. The gardens have a natural pond, with groomed trees and lush greenery.

2- Mount Fuji 

Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art, notably Edo Period prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige.

1 - Golden Pavilion 

Be it capped by snow in winter or set against a lush green background in summer, nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. Not even the crowds of tourists — and they come by the thousands — can detract from Kinkaku-ji's undoubted splendor. The current gold leaf-coated reconstruction was unveiled in 1955, five years after the 14th-century original was torched by one of the temple's monks.