Buzz
When we think of Japan, we often imagine a country with a rich traditional culture. Beyond that, the land of cherry blossoms is also a global leader in technology. However, it’s absolutely true to say that the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan can leave international friends in awe. If you’re skeptical, take a look at some of the evidence below!
1. Napping at Work or in Public Places
Napping in public spaces or at work is one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan. For foreigners, sleeping on the job is a rare sight. However, when you first visit Japan, you’ll easily encounter this phenomenon everywhere you go.
Napping in public spaces or at the office is a daily occurrence in Japan (Image source: Collected)
The Japanese consider this a unique cultural trait of their country. In fact, Japanese companies even encourage their employees to take naps during the day. Sometimes, some people even pretend to sleep to show their bosses that they are working hard.
2. The Trend of Getting Snaggletooth
Unlike other countries, young people in Japan (especially high school girls) are willing to spend a significant amount of money just to get fake snaggletooth. They believe that snaggletooth enhances their cuteness and charm.
The aesthetic preference of Japanese girls often includes fake snaggletooth (Image source: Collected)
3. Sleep and Hug Cafes
You might not know this, but in Japan, there are cafes where male customers can come to 'sleep with a girl.' However, it’s purely for sleeping—no other activities are involved. The purpose of this unique business model is to provide customers with a comfortable sleep experience while being held by someone.
Additionally, these cafes offer other intriguing services, such as staring into each other’s eyes for a minute or gently stroking the girl’s hair for three minutes. Sleep and hug cafes are most commonly found in Akihabara.
4. Slurping Noodles Loudly While Eating
In Japan, making loud slurping sounds while eating noodles is not considered rude. On the contrary, chefs take it as a compliment. Slurping noodles is an indirect way of praising the chef for preparing a delicious meal. So, don’t hesitate to show your appreciation by slurping! For locals, this is one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan.
In Japan, slurping noodles loudly is seen as a compliment to the chef's skills (Image source: Collected)
5. Maid Cafes
If you’re a hardcore fan of Japanese anime, you’ll find the concept of maid cafes quite familiar. These are cafes where female staff dress in meido (maid) costumes.
When visiting these cafes, you’ll be treated like a master or mistress of the house, rather than a regular customer. The maid cafe model is quite popular, making it easy to find them almost anywhere on the streets of Japan.
6. Eating KFC on Christmas Eve
You might not know this, but it’s a tradition in Japan to eat KFC fried chicken during Christmas. This has become one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan, both for the country as a whole and for its locals.
This tradition began in the 1970s when fast-food chains launched the marketing campaign 'Fried Chicken for Christmas in Japan.' By 1974, KFC rolled out a larger campaign called 'Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!' (Kentucky for Christmas!), which was warmly embraced by the Japanese public.
The tradition of eating KFC chicken during Christmas has been around for a long time (Image source: Collected)
The success of this campaign brought widespread fame and recognition to the brand. Since then, eating KFC fried chicken has become a Christmas dining tradition. In fact, Japanese people often have to place their orders two months in advance to enjoy this festive meal.
7. Vending Machines
If someone asks what one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan is when traveling, most tourists would answer: vending machines. These machines are a hallmark of modern Japan, easily found in subway stations, shopping centers, parking lots, and crowded areas.
Vending machines are scattered everywhere on the streets of Japan (Image source: Collected)
These vending machines can sell almost anything you need: food, drinks, fruits, cigarettes, newspapers, snacks, fresh produce, souvenirs, books, and more. Just insert money, select your item, and you’ll have what you need in seconds.
8. Hiding Your Thumb When a Funeral Procession Passes By
It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan. If you encounter a funeral procession passing by, immediately hide your thumb. In Japanese belief, the thumb is considered the 'parent finger' of the hand. Exposing it during a funeral procession is thought to bring bad luck to your parents.
9. Toilet Slippers
The Japanese are known for their cleanliness and attention to detail. This extends to maintaining hygiene everywhere, especially in the bathroom. When visiting a Japanese home, you’ll often find slippers specifically for toilet use. You must wear them instead of walking in barefoot, and after use, return them neatly to their original spot. This is considered one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan.
Japanese households are equipped with toilet slippers (Image source: Collected)
10. A Wide Variety of Energy Drinks
In Japan, working overtime or extra hours is completely normal. However, maintaining high energy levels for continuous overtime can be challenging. That’s why supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan are always stocked with a fascinating array of energy drinks.
Tourists are often overwhelmed by the hundreds of different energy drinks available in Japan (Image source: Collected)
Most of these drinks come in small, medicine-like bottles packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Japanese energy drinks are designed to provide a quick boost of energy, even when you’re tired or sleepy.
11. Wearing Masks Everywhere, Anytime
Long before the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing masks was already a common practice in Japan. When visiting public places, you’ll notice that most Japanese people wear masks, even after the pandemic has subsided.
The habit of wearing masks in Japan has been around for a long time (Image source: Collected)
Many people wear masks during pollen season due to allergies or in winter when flu outbreaks are common. Some simply wear them to avoid showing their unmade faces. Additionally, after the pandemic, Japanese youth often wear fashionable masks, treating them as a trendy accessory.
12. Drinking Alcohol in Public is Perfectly Normal
For the Japanese, this is undoubtedly one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan. While many countries strictly prohibit drinking alcohol in public, Japan is the complete opposite. On the streets of Japan, you’ll often see office workers buying beer on trains or college students gathering to drink at parks, streets, and food stalls.
However, what’s surprising is that public disturbances due to drinking are rare in Japan. This is because Japanese etiquette ensures that dangerous or excessive behavior seldom occurs. This makes the streets lively yet safe.
13. The Lightning-Fast Cleaning Crews of Shinkansen Trains
One of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan is the professionalism and discipline in their work. This is why the cleaning crews of Shinkansen trains operate with such incredible efficiency.
The Shinkansen cleaning staff are known for their professionalism and ability to handle situations swiftly (Image source: Collected)
When a Shinkansen train stops at a station to pick up passengers, the time between passengers disembarking and boarding is just 10 minutes. Within this short window, the cleaning crew must tidy up the train thoroughly and efficiently. This job demands top-notch cleaning skills and an extraordinary level of focus.
14. Japan Celebrates Two Valentine's Days
In addition to the traditional Valentine’s Day, Japan also celebrates a second Valentine’s Day one month later, known as White Day (March 14th). On the original Valentine’s Day, women typically give chocolates to men. Then, on White Day, men reciprocate with gifts, which can range from chocolates to more valuable presents, depending on the giver.
Women give gifts to men on White Day (Image source: Collected)
15. Love Hotels in Japan
You might find this unusual, but love hotels are a popular type of accommodation in Japan and some parts of Asia. Japan is home to the largest number of love hotels in the world, with over 30,000 establishments.
Love hotels are places where couples go for romantic encounters. Most love hotels feature electronic screens that allow guests to select rooms and make payments, similar to vending machines. These hotels are typically located in bustling cities, industrial areas, near subway stations, or along highways.
16. Orderly Queuing for Subways
The Japanese are renowned for their high level of discipline. As a result, the orderly queues at Tokyo’s subway stations have become a cultural hallmark admired by international visitors. No matter how crowded the station gets, people remain calm and line up neatly, waiting for the train. Each line forms in front of the train doors, and everyone strictly follows the station’s rules.
Even when subways are packed, orderly queuing is an essential practice (Image source: Collected)
17. Disposable Umbrellas in Japan
This is considered one of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan when you visit for the first time. Disposable umbrellas are extremely common and inexpensive in Japan, so locals don’t worry if they break. After heavy rain, you’ll often see these umbrellas scattered in large trash bins.
18. Capsule Hotels
Capsule hotels first appeared in Osaka and have since spread across Japan. True to their name, the standout feature of these hotels is their pod-like sleeping quarters, resembling cocoons. Capsule hotels are one of the most unique and fascinating aspects of Japan, as this type of accommodation is rarely found anywhere else in the world.
Capsule hotels are a unique and innovative accommodation model you won’t find in any other country (Image source: Collected)
Although each room is compact, the hotels are fully equipped with modern amenities. From air conditioning and lighting to TVs and Wi-Fi, everything is clean and well-organized. This makes them ideal for travelers seeking affordability without compromising comfort.
Above is a detailed overview of the most bizarre and amazing things about Japan. We hope these insights from Mytour have provided you with valuable knowledge about the Land of the Rising Sun. If you’re interested in booking a tour to Japan, contact our hotline at 028 3827 0404. The Mytour team is ready to assist and provide free consultations for all customers.
