21 fascinating and marvelous facts about Japan

The world's shortest elevator, napping at work, the trend of crooked teeth, sleeping café hugs… these are some of the peculiar things that tourists only encounter in Japan.

21 fascinating and marvelous facts about Japan

1. Napping at work (Inemuri)

For foreigners, especially those from European countries, sleeping in public or at work is very rare. But in Japan, you can sleep without any worry, and this is considered a distinctive cultural trait of Japan. Inemuri literally means 'sleeping while present.' Therefore, Japanese companies often encourage their employees to take a nap during lunchtime. However, sometimes some people pretend to be asleep during inemuri to show their bosses that they are working hard.

2. Maid café (or maid-themed café)

As a miniature version of a cosplay restaurant, this is a café where female servers don't wear regular uniforms but instead wear maid costumes. At these cafés, you'll be 'cared for' by the staff like servants serving the master/mistress at home, rather than being served like regular customers.

3. Love hotels

Japan is considered the place with the highest concentration of 'love hotels' in the world, with over 30,000 establishments, providing all the amenities needed to satisfy even the most demanding customers. Most love hotels have electronic screens to help guests choose rooms and pay, similar to vending machines. Most love hotels are usually concentrated in busy cities, industrial areas, near train stations, or near highways.

4. Slurping noodles loudly

In Japan, slurping noodles loudly is not considered rude; on the contrary, it makes the chef very happy. Slurping noodles indicates that the dish is delicious, and it's also an indirect way to compliment the chef.

5. Crooked teeth trend

Unlike other countries around the world, Japanese youth, especially high school girls, are spending a significant amount of money to get fake crooked teeth, believing that crooked teeth enhance cuteness.

6. Sleeping café “snuggle”

In Japan, there are cafés that allow male customers to 'sleep with a girl' but strictly no sex, aiming to provide customers with comfortable sleep while feeling someone's embrace. Additionally, there are some accompanying services like 'staring into each other's eyes for a minute' or 'stroking the girl's hair for 3 minutes.' Travelers can find these cafés in Akihabara.

7. Hadaka Matsuri festival

Hadaka Matsuri, also known as the Nude Festival, is an annual festival held in Okayama. During the festival, men usually strip down and wrap themselves, while women wrap themselves in towels and they all enter the cold water together to celebrate and pray.

8. Ganguro

This Ganguro trend goes against traditional beauty standards for Japanese girls. Gaining popularity in the early 2000s, Ganguro was a booming trend in Shibuya and Ikebukuro of Tokyo. The hallmark of this fashion trend is dark tanned skin, heavy makeup, bleached or dyed hair in vibrant colors, painted or fake nails, and colorful clothing with many accessories.

9. Mr. Kanso

Mr. Kanso is a very famous restaurant in Japan specializing in canned food. Instead of having a menu like other restaurants, here customers will choose and take food from shelves. Then they will be provided with plastic utensils and plates to eat.

10. Capsule hotel

The first capsule hotel appeared in Osaka and has been spreading throughout Japan. True to its name, the standout feature of this type of hotel is that its bedrooms look like cocoon pods. Despite being small, the hotel is fully equipped with lights, air conditioning, TV, and clean wifi, making it convenient and comfortable for budget-conscious travelers.

11. Ghost island

Located about 15km from Nagasaki, Gunkanjima Island (or Battleship Island) used to be a coal mining facility from 1887 to 1974, with its highest population density reaching about 5,259 people in 1959. By the 1960s, petroleum gradually replaced coal across Japan, causing this island to be abandoned and famously known as the “ghost island.” Although uninhabited, the island was opened for tourist visits in 2009.

Gunkanjima Island also made a striking appearance in the Hollywood blockbuster film 007 Skyfall in 2012.

12. Eating KFC on Christmas Eve

Japanese people have a tradition of eating KFC on Christmas. This habit started in 1970 when the fast-food chain began a fried chicken advertising campaign for Christmas in Japan. In 1974, KFC launched a large advertising campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!), which was well-received by the Japanese people. The success of the campaign brought fame to the company and established the tradition of eating at KFC during Christmas. You even have to make reservations two months in advance for a traditional Christmas meal at KFC.

13. Vending machines

One of the hallmarks of modern Japan is vending machines, found everywhere from subway stations to shopping malls, parking lots, and all places with high foot traffic. Almost all goods can be sold through vending machines, including food, drinks, cigarettes, newspapers, snacks, fresh produce, souvenirs, books, and more.

14. Kancho

“Kancho” is a quite popular prank in Japan, especially among young people. Your hands are clasped together like a gun, then aimed at someone's buttocks while shouting “Kancho.”

15. Bathroom slippers

The Japanese are famous for their strict hygiene habits, so it's no surprise that they have indoor slippers specifically for the toilet to minimize contact between the toilet floor and the rest of the house. Of course, these slippers are usually placed in front of the toilet door.

16. Hiding your thumbs when a funeral procession passes by

In Japan, if you encounter a funeral procession passing by, you must hide your thumbs. The thumb is considered the “parent finger” of the hand, and if you expose that finger when a funeral procession passes, it is believed that your parents will encounter misfortune.

17. Rabbit Island

Okunoshima is a small island in Hiroshima Prefecture and has become a tourist attraction due to its large population of adorable rabbits. The reason for the island's abundance of rabbits is explained by the introduction of rabbits during World War II to test the toxicity of gas. When the war ended, the rabbits were released into the wild and flourished to the current large population.

18. Gift-giving etiquette

Giving gifts has become an indispensable habit, a ritual in the daily life of Japanese people, but they often do not open gifts in front of the giver. Similar to Vietnamese customs, when receiving a gift, Japanese people politely refuse a couple of times before accepting the gift. In particular, white and black are considered taboo colors in gift-giving culture in the land of etiquette.

19. Gas mask island

Located in Japan's Izu archipelago, the most prominent feature of Miyake Jima Island is the active volcano Mount Oyama. Since its most recent eruption in 2005, this volcano has been continuously emitting hazardous gases, so residents on the island always have to wear gas masks to protect themselves from toxicity.

20. World's shortest escalator

Standing at a height of only 83cm, equivalent to 5 steps, the escalator in Kawasaki City (Japan) is considered the world's shortest escalator.

21. Bunny cafes

In Tokyo, there's a unique café that 'hires' only bunnies as staff, making it a destination for bunny lovers. On weekends, many young people come here to enjoy their drinks while playing with the bunnies hopping around the café.

According to Traveltimes.vn

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour