8 Common Myths About Japan

Persistent stereotypes surrounding food, the samurai ethos, and an intense dedication to work have all played a role in the exoticization of Japan in Western perspectives. This perception escalated during World War II, leading to harsh caricatures and the unjust internment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps.

Even now, Japan is often perceived as a nation fixated on technology, densely populated, and famous for its eccentric game shows. Let’s dispel some common myths about this influential yet frequently misinterpreted country, inspired by an episode of Misconceptions on YouTube.

1. Myth: Japanese individuals intentionally slurp their noodles loudly.

Misophonia is a condition where certain sounds—like a crying baby, noisy chewing, or a combination of both—can trigger irritation. If you suffer from this, visiting Japan might seem daunting, as it’s widely believed that locals intentionally slurp loudly to express enjoyment of their noodle dishes. Many assume the country is filled with the sounds of enthusiastic eating, with diners making noise to show appreciation for their meals.

In reality, the only issue here is the assumption that this behavior is universal. While slurping is common in Japan and not seen as rude, it’s not mandatory, and abstaining from it is perfectly acceptable. Slurping serves a practical purpose: it cools down hot noodles and enhances flavor by allowing retronasal olfaction, or tasting through scent. It also helps broth cling to the noodles. This practice is more about enhancing the dining experience than adhering to tradition. Skipping it won’t earn you disapproving looks, and some Japanese people even view excessive slurping as a form of noodle harassment, which can make foreigners feel uncomfortable or out of place.

2. Myth: Japan is always at the forefront of technology.

Since the 1980s, when the Sony Walkman became iconic, Americans have often viewed Japanese culture as fixated on cutting-edge technology. Marketing of electronics further cemented this perception. Sony TVs were premium products, and many household appliances, such as VCRs and DVD players, originated from Japan. Panasonic phones, Sanyo sound systems, and Hitachi televisions were staples in American homes, fostering the idea that Japanese households were futuristic, complete with robotic assistants and interactive toilets.

While Japan certainly has its share of tech enthusiasts, the country isn’t universally ahead in technology. In some areas, it even trails behind. For instance, many Japanese companies still rely on fax machines, using paper-based communication as a standard practice.

What about streaming adoption? In the U.S., roughly 85 percent of consumers subscribe to at least one streaming platform like Netflix. In Japan, that figure is only around 46 percent.

Similar to the U.S. fascination with vintage vinyl, Japan has a thriving retro music culture—but centered around cassette tapes. In 2021, Vice highlighted how Japanese Gen Z has embraced this analog format, both for classic albums and contemporary releases. Fans enjoy creating custom mix tapes and bringing cassette players to outdoor spots like beaches. Maxell, a leading tape manufacturer, still produces 8 million cassettes each year.

The BBC notes that the prevalence of handwritten faxes, tapes, and older software likely stems from Japan’s business landscape, which is dominated by small, independent enterprises. Without pressure from large corporations to adopt cutting-edge technology, many Japanese people prefer to maintain simplicity in both their professional and personal lives.

One domain where Japan truly lives up to its futuristic image is its toilets. The Toto brand is a household name, offering high-tech toilets that welcome users and provide features like bidets and sound-masking music for privacy.

3. Myth: Sushi is a staple in everyone’s diet.

Raw fish encased in rice—what could possibly go wrong? If purchased at a gas station, quite a lot, potentially overwhelming even a Toto toilet. However, a greater misconception is the belief that Japanese people are fixated on sushi or that it originated in Japan.

While Japan undoubtedly popularized sushi, its origins trace back over 1,600 years to China and Thailand, where fish was preserved in fermented rice. The rice’s acidity and salt acted as natural preservatives, a crucial method in an era without refrigeration. In the 1820s, Hanaya Yohei revolutionized sushi by serving fresh or marinated fish over hand-pressed rice, paving the way for the modern sushi enjoyed worldwide.

Think of sushi in Japan as akin to hamburgers in America—it’s not an everyday meal. Just as Americans don’t eat hamburgers daily, sushi is reserved for special occasions in Japan, such as birthdays. Additionally, American-style sushi, like spicy tuna rolls or avocado-filled creations, is rarely found in Japan. Extras like mayonnaise are also uncommon.

You can also relax about mastering chopsticks. In Japan, sushi is typically eaten with hands, though using chopsticks is perfectly acceptable.

If spicy tuna isn’t a staple, what do Japanese people typically eat? Like in any country, it’s hard to generalize, but Japan offers plenty of junk food options. However, when focusing on a balanced diet, Japanese individuals often enjoy soybean-based foods, fresh seafood and meats, rice, fruits, vegetables, and, of course, green tea.

One final myth about sushi: it doesn’t always involve raw fish. The term sushi means “it is sour,” referring to its flavor. While sushi can include raw fish, known as sashimi, it’s not a requirement. Additionally, sushi doesn’t always contain rice.

4. Myth: Japan is prohibitively expensive.

Hearing stories about Tokyo might give the impression that it’s an exorbitantly expensive city to live in or visit—comparable to New York City or Singapore.

In reality, Japan’s cost of living isn’t as high as many assume. While food, accommodations, and entertainment can be pricier than in some nations, Japan is more affordable than Switzerland, England, or Australia. For budget travelers, Kyoto offers hostels starting at $25 per night. Public transportation costs just a few dollars per ride, and delicious meals can be enjoyed for under $15. Convenience store meals are available for as little as $4.

While luxury dining and high-end hotels are options, they’re not essential for experiencing the country.

What about living there? While Tokyo ranks among the world’s most expensive cities, affordable options exist. Blogger Margherita Pitorri estimated that a studio apartment in Tokyo can cost as little as $727 monthly, varying by neighborhood. This is significantly cheaper than similar rentals in major U.S. cities, and utilities and internet costs are also reasonable.

Overall, Japan is quite affordable, especially if you choose to live in rural areas and utilize the country’s efficient public transit.

As with most places, affordability depends on the luxuries and amenities you desire and those you can forgo. It also hinges on your proximity to major cities, which leads us to the next misconception.

5. Myth: Japan is overcrowded.

Media coverage often emphasizes Japan’s population density. Tokyo, with 37 million residents, is the most populous metropolitan area, and stories have highlighted extreme micro-apartments as small as 95 square feet, barely suitable for more than sleeping. Combined with images of crowded Tokyo streets, it’s easy to assume Japan feels perpetually packed. But is the country truly overrun with people?

While Tokyo is indeed a bustling center of activity, much of Japan doesn’t share this characteristic. Comparing it to New York State, it’s like assuming the entire state is crowded just because Times Square is packed. In reality, the preference for living near major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya has left over half of Japan’s municipalities at risk of being labeled underpopulated. Millions of homes remain vacant, and according to CNN, the village of Nagoro has dwindled from 300 residents to just 30, with no one under 50 years old.

The disparity between Tokyo’s overcrowding and the sparse population elsewhere has become so pronounced that Japan’s government is offering financial rewards to families who relocate to rural areas. Families can receive approximately 1 million yen, or $7,700, per child for moving.

Japan is also grappling with stagnant population growth. In 2017, deaths outnumbered births, and Tokyo’s fertility rate was just 1.17. Experts predict that by 2050, Japan’s population could drop from 125 million to below 100 million. Career pressures, particularly in Tokyo, are thought to contribute to fewer people having children. In response, towns like Nagi offer couples around 100,000 yen ($900) for their first child and an additional $1,300 for a second.

While Tokyo and other major cities might feel crowded, Japan as a whole isn’t overpopulated. In fact, some areas are incentivizing residents to have children.

6. Myth: Masks are only worn to prevent illness.

While much of the world struggled to adapt to masks becoming a daily necessity in 2020, Japan faced little disruption. Mask-wearing, though unusual or controversial in the West, has been socially normalized in Japan for decades. While preventing illness is one reason, there’s more to the story.

Many Japanese individuals wear masks to alleviate symptoms of hay fever and other allergies caused by airborne particles. The practice dates back to the 19th century when miners used them to protect against dust. Following the 1918 flu pandemic, masks became a common accessory for everyday use.

Mask usage surged in 2011 after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, with some believing masks could shield against radioactive particles [PDF]. These factors have solidified the cultural acceptance of mask-wearing in Japan.

Mask-wearing isn’t solely about health. Some people wear them to skip applying makeup or to avoid social interactions. Even members of the infamous Bosozoku biker gang use masks to conceal their identities during criminal activities. While preventing the spread of germs is a key reason, it’s not the only one. Masks might be worn to combat allergies or, in some cases, to commit crimes.

7. Myth: Japanese game shows are bizarre and hazardous.

Contestants on Japanese game shows might participate in wild activities like human curling or being wrapped as mummies, leading some to label these shows as extreme or even cruel. However, these examples represent only the most sensational aspects of the genre, not the entirety of Japanese game shows.

As reported by The Atlantic, Japanese game shows debuted in the 1950s, around the same time as American ones, and initially featured harmless activities like charades during primetime. However, in the 1980s, Takeshi’s Castle introduced a new format, where contestants attempted to storm a castle while enduring physical challenges and wearing ridiculous outfits. The show’s global syndication led it to define Japanese game shows for international audiences. Some producers leaned into this reputation, creating shows in the 1990s with provocative or embarrassing elements.

However, these shows were exceptions rather than the norm in Japan. They typically aired late at night and weren’t mainstream. Public pressure eventually led to stricter broadcasting standards, and by 2000, many of these programs were taken off the air.

While Japan has produced some bizarre game shows, they represent a skewed perception. Imagine if American networks only exported shows like Fear Factor—without Survivor or The Bachelor. International viewers might assume Americans only enjoy watching people eat bull testicles or spiders, which would be a misrepresentation.

Interestingly, Takeshi’s Castle returned in 2022, available on Amazon Prime.

8. Myth: Tattoos are prohibited or illegal.

While there’s some truth to this misconception, it’s not the whole story. In Japan, many public facilities like gyms, pools, and bathhouses often prohibit individuals with visible tattoos. This stems from the historical association of tattoos with organized crime, particularly the yakuza. Anthropologist Margo DeMello explains that tattoos were outlawed in the 19th century, making them a mark of societal outcasts, including gangsters. Even after the ban was lifted in 1948, tattoos remained stigmatized. In onsen, or hot springs, owners implemented blanket bans on tattoos to avoid dealing with yakuza, fearing potential retaliation.

However, attitudes are shifting quickly. More young Japanese people are embracing tattoos as a form of self-expression. The New York Times reports that the number of tattooed individuals has nearly doubled since 2014, reaching 1.4 million. In 2020, Japan’s Supreme Court ruled that non-medical professionals could legally perform tattoos, leading to a rise in tattoo parlors. Additionally, more bathhouses and onsen are now welcoming tattooed patrons.

Despite lingering stigma, particularly in professional settings, tattoo enthusiasts are pushing for greater societal acceptance. This evolving perception suggests that the misconception is gradually being dismantled.