10 Unique Facts about Japan

The land of anime, cherry blossoms and technology, Japan has an interesting set of beliefs and ideologies of its own.

While the western culture has inculcated into most countries, Japan still practices some unique customs and has a few strange but interesting facts to offer, things which people don’t know that frequently –

 

1. Vending Machine

 

 

Japan has an amazing fascination for vending machines. They have over 5.5 million vending machines. It ranges from selling products like chips, soft drinks, beer, cigarettes, condoms, comic books to even used women’s underwear!

 

2. Capsule Hotels

 

 

The concept of capsule hotels is that they are 2 square meters in length and 1.2 meters high!

 

3. Adult Men Adoption

 

While most (well, all except Japan probably!) adopt newborn babies or small children, aged couples in Japan quite often adopt adult men. It is mostly because people wish to carry on their family name through the male children. Families with only female children usually consider this. Another reason is that these adult males are adopted for the family business. 

 

4. Crooked Teeth

 

Most of us are recommended braces if our teeth setting is not proper, but not in Japan! They consider crooked teeth (Yaeba) to be attractive.

 

5. Diapers

 

Adult diapers and not the ones for babies – Japan has such a low birth rate that, adult diapers are sold more than baby diapers.

 

6. Haiku

 

The shortest form of poetry with only three lines called Haiku originates from Japan.

 

7.  Fourth Floors

 

There are no fourth floors in any buildings in Japan. It goes from 3 to 5 directly. This is because four in Japanese is ‘shi’ which is also the term for death and so is avoided.

 

8.  Sumo 

 

Sumo wrestling in Japan dates back to 1,500 years. A sumo wrestler in Japan is known as Rikishi. A younger one is required to bathe the older and experienced ones. This includes having to reach places that are otherwise not easily accessible too. 

 

9. Same Bath for the Family

 

Baths in Japan are not just about the cleansing of the body but the relaxation of the mind. Most homes have bathtubs and families use the same water in it for the purpose of soaking. They take their baths in the order of the father first, followed by the mother and then the children. To relax, it is also quite popular for them to visit hot springs or onsens.

 

10. Naps at Work

 

A nap (inemuri) during working hours is completely acceptable in Japan!