Japan is on the prime of everybody’s journey bucket listing, and for good cause. We have visited Japan on a number of events and all the time appear to be taught one thing about the nation once we are there. Located in East Asia within the Sea of Japan, the archipelago of Japan is an unbelievable nation to go to. Most folks already know about the incredible Japanese delicacies and its position in World War II, however there’s a lot extra to the nation that we cowl right here.
Fun Facts About Japan
Did you recognize that Japan is thought to have the world’s second-highest life expectancy, subsequent to Hong Kong? In 2024, there have been 2.31 million Japanese folks over the age of 90, with over 71,000 of them being over 100! So, have the Japanese found the key to perpetual life?
Japan is a rustic with a posh and historical cultural heritage, but right this moment, it is likely one of the most superior nations in expertise and innovation since 1950. Japan’s type of authorities is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary authorities. The forex utilized in Japan is the Japanese yen.
Japan offers an excessive amount of consideration to schooling, and the nation is likely one of the most literate on this planet. A particular consciousness of pure magnificence and curiosity in form and stability are apparent.
Some of those cool details about Japan and its habits could shock you. I do know it did that to us. For instance, Japan’s nationwide sport, sumo wrestling, has its roots in historical rituals to entertain deities, and the disciplined lives of sumo wrestlers present how essential the game is. I believe we are able to be taught lots from their lifestyle. Also, pure sizzling springs, referred to as onsen, are a giant a part of Japanese tradition, not only for rest and rejuvenation but in addition for ceremonial functions in Shintoism and Buddhism.
There is much more to Japan than meets the attention, so let’s get into the Facts about Japan that we actually discovered attention-grabbing.
1. Japan is Extremely Clean
Streets in Japan are immaculate; even in Tokyo, the capital and an enormous megacity, all streets are spotless and litter-free. That being mentioned, how does Japan accomplish this? It’s all about their mindset. The Japanese folks very seldom go away trash on the streets. Additionally, volunteers of all ages clear the streets for the easy cause that they wish to reside in a tidy metropolis.
2. Tokyo is the World’s Most Populated City
The higher Tokyo metropolitan space encompasses three areas and is residence to Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Tokyo is estimated to have 38.14 million, rendering it the world’s most populous megacity.
3. Japan has the world’s largest fish market in Tokyo
The world’s greatest fish market is the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan. It’s huge and busy. Having been working since 1935, Tsukiji is a worldwide icon of the Japanese seafood trade. It covers a substantial space and handles over 2,000 tons of seafood a day. It is known not just for its measurement but in addition for its tuna auctions, the place patrons and sellers go head-to-head in high-stakes bidding wars for the most effective catches.
Although the inside wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, Tsukiji remains to be a must-visit. The outer market remains to be going sturdy with recent seafood, road meals, and all types of culinary goodies. This is Japan’s skill to stability custom with modernity, to maintain the previous whereas embracing the brand new.
4. Japan’s inhabitants is 98.5 % Japanese.
This could seem absurd, however the trendy world is changing into more and more multicultural. However, this isn’t the case in Japan. That is basically because of stringent visa necessities and a cultural mindset holding its distinctive and historical tradition steeped in previous traditions.
5. Japan Has Canned Foods Restaurants
Japan can also be an amazing vacation spot for canned meals followers, as quite a few eating places and bars specialize on this meals tradition. Mr. Kanso is the most well-liked chain of such eating places. The cabinets of those eating places have a various array of canned meals from world wide. The selection on the cabinets ensures that even essentially the most discerning visitor will discover one thing new to strive.
And talking of canned meals, Japan is full of merchandising machines. You’ll discover them in every single place on the streets, promoting every thing from sake and beer to tea and meals.
6. Japan Has a High Life Expectancy
Japan is nearly tied with Hong Kong by way of common life expectancy, at 83.6 years and 84 years. Economic stability and using Japanese cash, particularly the Japanese yen, additionally contribute to longevity. Numerous folks attribute Japan’s lengthy life expectancy to the nation’s traditionally more healthy eating regimen than Western nations. Their eating regimen features a higher quantity of fish, much less crimson meat and extra greens, and smaller parts.
The Japanese sizzling springs most likely have lots to do with the lengthy lives in Japan. These sizzling springs, referred to as Onsens, are frequented by the Japanese for his or her therapeutic properties. We visited a number of on our totally different journeys and you may learn extra about them right here: Japanese Ryokan – Our Stay in a Traditional Inn
7. Japan Has Many Active Volcanoes
There is a complete sum of 110 energetic volcanoes in Japan! Scientists observe 47 of those energetic volcanoes because of latest eruptions or an eruption risk.
8. Each Year There Are Over 1,500 Earthquakes
That is right! Japan is positioned on prime of or adjoining to a few tectonic plates. The Eurasian, North American, and Filipino plates are the tectonic plates. More than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan every year because of its place close to the convergence of those plates. (Side word: I used to be really in an earthquake in Japan whereas working years in the past in Yokohama. It was scary)
Japan is likely one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations. Most of those earthquakes are minor and unnoticeable, however giant and damaging earthquakes do happen infrequently.
9. Forests Cover 67 % of Japan
When you consider Japan, you’re most likely pondering of the nation’s quite a few cities or its principal islands. Surprisingly, 67 % of Japan is roofed in forest.
It isn’t unusual to see indicators on forest trails warning to look out for black bears. Really? Black bears in Japan?
10. The Japanese are Extremely Attached to Nature and Their Culture
You will discover that almost all Japanese have a profound appreciation and love of nature. That is because of the ingrained spirituality of the traditional Shinto faith, which attributes spirits to pure options corresponding to rivers, mountains, and rocks. That is certainly one of many Japanese details that we discovered on our final journey to the nation.
11. Japan Is Home to the Deepest Underwater Postbox
A cool Japan reality is that Susami is residence to the world’s deepest underwater postbox. Susami is a widely known fishing city in Wakayama Province. The Guinness World Records acknowledged the city’s deepest underwater postbox in 2002. The postbox is 30 ft underwater and has collected over 32,000 items of mail since 1999.
12. Mount Fuji is a Holy Site
Mount Fuji isn’t solely Japan’s highest mountain; it has been a sacred web site for the Shinto faith for the reason that seventh century. The cool factor is that Princess Konohanasakuya is the Kami (divine particular person) of Mount Fuji within the Shinto faith. The cherry blossom is her image.
Even in case you are not a follower of the Shinto faith, it’s mentioned which you could sense the realm’s tranquillity and eerie environment.
13. Japan Has Ice Cream That Does Not Melt
This is likely one of the Japan details for youths!
The title is somewhat deceptive as a result of the ice cream will ultimately soften. The non-melting ice cream will apparently take a number of hours to soften. Imagine that youngsters, that is positively the most effective one of many youngsters Japan details! Yummy!
The discovery occurred by chance whereas scientists have been experimenting with the chemistry of strawberries. That was to help farmers impacted by the 2011 earthquake.
14. Portugal Was the First European Country to Visit Japan
The Portuguese have been the primary European nation to go to Japan in 1543 after they arrived at Nagasaki’s port. This preliminary Portuguese go to signaled the beginning of the Nanban commerce interval, which spanned from 1543 to 1614.
During this time interval, the Japanese and Portuguese traded freely. Japan was launched to new applied sciences and cultural practices, corresponding to European weapons, European armor, and European ships.
Another stunning revelation from this period is that the Portuguese launched tempura to Japan. Tempura has since grown to be certainly one of its hottest dishes.
15. Japan Was Locked Down for a Whole Period When the Shogun Closed Japan
After the large impression of European tradition on Japan since 1543, Tokugawa Lemitsu, the Shogun of Japan, closed Japan to all foreigners in 1635. The Shogun closed Japan by implementing a coverage of isolation, forbidding foreigners to enter and Japanese residents to journey overseas.
Anyone caught with European items can be punished. This was the Sakoku Edict of 1635.
16. Japan Has a Highway that Passes Through a Building
That is right! In Osaka, the Hanshin Expressway runs instantly via the fifth, sixth, and seventh flooring of the Gate Tower Building.
In actuality, the constructing’s workers are unaware of the freeway because the partitions and flooring are soundproof. Also, the freeway doesn’t bodily contact the constructing.
17. Japanese Follow a Healthy Diet
The Japanese eating regimen is extensively considered one of many healthiest diets on this planet. The eating regimen consists of conventional meals gadgets corresponding to rice, fish, and greens.
People in Japan eat much less fatty meals which are greater in minerals and nutritional vitamins. One of the elements contributing to Japan’s lengthy life expectancy is its eating regimen. Discover our favourite Japanese meals earlier than your subsequent journey.
18. The Last Emperor within the World
Japan is the world’s solely nation with an Emperor. Even although the Emperor of Japan wields little energy and primarily serves as a symbolic determine, they continue to be an integral a part of Japanese custom.
Naruhito is the present Emperor of Japan. He ascended to the throne on May 1, 2019, following his father, Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30, 2019.
19. Japan is a Hiker’s Paradise
While mountain climbing is definitely not the very first thing that involves thoughts for most individuals after they go to Japan, the nation has an honest provide of mountains and mountain climbing trails. Additionally, because of the nation’s geographical variety, there are a lot of various kinds of hikes to select from.
You can put your bodily and psychological stamina to the check by mountain climbing up the majestic Mount Fuji. There is a UNESCO-recognized route for trekking via the Japanese Alps on the most important island of Honshu.
20. Japan Has the World’s Sixth-Longest Coastline
Japan has the world’s sixth-longest shoreline. It narrowly beats Australia, the United States, and Antarctica into the highest ten.
Japan’s shoreline totals 18,486 miles. It is residence to mountain climbing trails, cliffs, mountain climbing trails, quiet coastal cities, and a number of the world’s greatest fishing ports. Read about this pretty seaside city 2 hours north of Tokyo Kamakura, Japan – The Ultimate Seaside Escape
21. The Famous Kitayamazaki Cliffs
Kitayamazaki Cliffs is a 5-mile stretch of the Rikuchu Coastline within the Northern Iwate area, that includes 650-foot cliffs. The space is known as a result of it received first place within the “natural resource: coast” class in 1999.
The Kitayamazaki Observatory supplies the most effective view of the shoreline. The Observatory options three distinct remark decks at various elevations. These decks enable for numerous views of the coast from a single location.
22. Unique Customs and Traditions in Japan
Japan is a rustic filled with wealthy customs and traditions. One of essentially the most noticeable is bowing. In Japan, you bow once you greet or say goodbye, and the depth and period rely on the scenario and the particular person’s standing. It’s an indication of respect and is deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition.
The Japanese have an amazing respect for nature, and that is proven in a lot of their traditions. One of these is cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, in spring. During this time folks collect beneath blooming cherry bushes to admire the fantastic thing about the blossoms, it’s a logo of the impermanence of life.
Japanese meals is one other reflection of this respect for nature, with a giant emphasis on seasonality and freshness. Many dishes characteristic substances which are solely accessible throughout sure occasions of the yr, so the meals is all the time recent and in sync with the seasons.
The conventional Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, sado, or ocha, is a extremely ritualistic observe the place inexperienced tea is ready and served to visitors in a specifically designed room. It’s not simply about ingesting tea however a non secular and philosophical expertise that embodies concord, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Gift giving is a giant a part of Japanese tradition, presents are rigorously chosen and wrapped to point out respect and appreciation to the recipient. This is seen in lots of points of life, from enterprise to non-public relationships.
Respect for elders is one other huge a part of Japanese tradition. Many customs and traditions are centered across the care and reverence of older generations; they’re extremely revered.
In Japan, you take away your sneakers earlier than coming into a house or conventional constructing. Slippers or socks are sometimes supplied for visitors to maintain the place clear and respectful.
Japan additionally has many festivals and celebrations, every with its personal customs and traditions. Oshogatsu and Tanabata are celebrated with nice enthusiasm and are deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition.
Politeness and respect are extremely valued in Japanese society. It exhibits in using honorific language and respectful conduct in every day life. The conventional Japanese artwork of calligraphy, shodou, can also be extremely revered, and plenty of artists have devoted their lives to mastering this historical artwork.
Japan An Interesting Country
There you’ve some attention-grabbing details about Japan! Of course, there isn’t a finish to those attention-grabbing details, and there are a lot of extra to disclose! Japan is a 2,000-year-old nation with an enthralling historical past and traditions. If something, we hope this text makes you notice simply how attention-grabbing Japan actually is, encompassing so many various layers to this tradition.