Interesting facts about Japan really make you think, even the most sophisticated and experienced travelers. This state is very different from the corners of the globe familiar to us.
Having landed in Tokyo, from the first minutes you understand that fate has thrown you almost to another planet. What exactly does this feel? Yes, in almost everything. In culture, traditions, rules, laws, even in landscapes that open from the windows of a hotel room.
However, not only interesting facts about Japan will be presented in this article. The reader will receive a lot of useful information about different areas of life of ordinary residents of this country, get to know them in absentia in order to definitely want to visit the amazing country of the Rising Sun in the future.
Section 1. General Information
No wonder Japan today is considered the birthplace of the sun. This is where a new day begins. Today this amazing country combines modern nanotechnology and centuries-old traditions.
Skyscrapers of megalopolises peacefully adjoin ancient temples and sacred gates of spirits, luxury hotels - with traditional Japanese ryokans, and expensive SPA-salons - with Ofuro national baths.
Such an unusual state, as a rule, attracts tourists with its unique atmosphere and architecture.
A map of Japan shows that here everything is at a fairly modest distance from each other. For example, children can visit all the best amusement parks in one visit: Disneyland, Disney Sea, Mainland Osarizawa, etc.
By the way, it is worth paying attention to the fact that prices in the country of the Rising Sun are going through the roof, and there is no concept of tourist seasonality. Therefore, Japan is more fond of businessmen and wealthy tourists. Although there are a lot of attractions.
The capital of the country is Tokyo. The largest cities, except the capital, include Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya. The largest seaside resort is located on the Okinawa archipelago.
Section 2. Traditions at home
Still, Japan is amazing and peculiar. Interesting here can open almost immediately, as they say, at the doorstep.
For example, when receiving an invitation to a Japanese home, the following information should be taken into account:
- In the room it is customary to walk without shoes, they leave her in front of the house entrance. In the toilet rooms there are always special slippers that you can change shoes on.
- Away is permissible to sit down only on the seats proposed by the owners. By tradition, the Japanese sit on the tatami on their knees, legs crossed. But now these rules are not so strict. Sitting cross-legged or stretched is considered bad form. You can’t step on something or step over something in the house.
- When going on a visit, it is worth taking sweets or strong drinks with you. Chopsticks (hashi) are intended only for eating. They must not be waved or pointed at. It is also inappropriate to stick them in food, this is associated with death.
- At the end of the meal, it is customary to take the remaining food with you.
Section 3. Gestures of the Japanese
On the traditions of the house, interesting facts about Japan, of course, do not end there. Let's talk about facial expressions and gestures. This language among the local population is very peculiar and unusual for other people. To avoid misunderstanding during communication, you should know some of them:
- nodding your head does not at all mean the consent of the interlocutor - as the Japanese show that they are listening carefully and understanding;
- a gesture in the shape of the letter "V" is used during photographing;
- the thumb at the nose means "I", and the crossing of the arms on the chest - "I thought";
- index fingers attached to the head in the form of horns indicate discontent;
- a three-finger figure is considered an indecent sign; the usual “come here” gesture, but executed with both hands, will also be perceived poorly;
- the fist held to the head with the palm open means “stupid” among the Japanese, and waving the palm in the face expresses disagreement with something.
Section 4. Bows and behavior in society
Young and old Japanese people in public places are usually shy and less sociable, so questions are best addressed to middle-aged people.
Not everywhere there are places for smoking, there are no ballot boxes on the street. The best way out is to buy a pocket ashtray.
Visitors (o-keksan) of restaurants, shops and other institutions are treated with respect and adhere to the rule "the client is always right."
In Japan, there is no ritual of handshakes, instead of them bowing is used. At the same time, return bows must be performed with the same frequency and respect that the other side demonstrates. Sometimes just a nod of the head is enough.
Section 5. Japan: Facts from the Life of Women
- On Valentine's Day in Japan, girls give gifts, showing their sympathy for the guy.
- In the Japanese subway, there are special cars for women, which are attached to the train every day in the morning. At rush hour, women can safely reach their destination.
- The first always serve men. For example, in stores, they first greet a man; in restaurants, they are the first to leave an order.
Section 6. Social life
Many interesting facts about Japan directly or indirectly indicate that this is actually an unusual country, different from other powers:
- despite Japanese men being addicted to voyeurism, Japan has a minimal rape rate;
- here the most tolerant attitude to smoking is that you can smoke everywhere (except airports and train stations);
- Japanese favorite topic is food. At the table, they praise the treats, and during dinner they say the word “oishii” (delicious) several times;
- prisoners do not have voting rights;
- Japanese are afraid to travel the world; The USA they consider the most dangerous country;
- in Japan, expensive public transport, the cheapest metro ticket costs 140 yen (50 rubles);
- the country has low pensions and no pension insurance (you need to take care of your old age in advance);
- the streets are clean and there are no ballot boxes, but there are only boxes for bottles;
- the Japanese constitution prohibits the country from having an army and taking part in wars.
Section 7. City improvement
Not everyone knows that the capital of Japan is considered the safest city in the world, even children of six can ride public transport on their own.
The absence of bins on the streets is due to the fact that all waste is sorted and recycled. A specific day is allotted for the removal of each type of garbage. For violation threatens a fine.
In the snowy areas, the streets are heated, and because of this there is no ice and snowdrifts. Most likely, travelers will expect the same if they go on an excursion to the mountains of Japan. But at the same time, there is no central heating in the houses, and all residents are heated independently.
Section 8. Features of the Japanese language
Japan is distinguished by its exceptional writing:
- Japanese writing consists of three types of writing: Kanji (hieroglyphs), Hiragana (alphabet of syllables) and Katakana (syllable system for recording words of non-Japanese origin);
- many hieroglyphs include up to 4 syllables, but there are exceptions: for example, the hieroglyph 砉 includes 13 syllables and it is read as “hanetokavatogahanareruoto”;
- all months have a serial number; September (九月 Kugatsu) means “the ninth month”;
- there are practically no personal pronouns in the language, and the words used in this capacity have an additional meaning;
- Japanese language has a system of polite speech, consisting of several types of politeness (conversational, respectful, polite and modest); men communicate in a conversational manner, and women in a respectful manner;
- in Japanese speech there is the word 過 労 死 (Karoshi - “death from processing”); every year in Japan, thousands of people die from sudden death;
- before the West recognized Japan, the Japanese used a single word 恋 (koi) to describe a romantic attraction, meaning "irresistible attraction to the unattainable."
Section 9. Strange and Unusual Facts about Japan
- In Japan, all rulers are descendants of the first emperor Jimmu, who founded the Japanese Empire in 711 BC.
- Almost 99% of Japanese people are ethnic. Post-war Japan in 1945 had significantly more guests from near and far abroad, while then there were only 68% of indigenous people .
- Mount Fuji belongs to the Hongyu Sengen Temple. The ownership rights are confirmed by a donation of 1609, signed by the Shogun.
- In Japan, dolphin meat is eaten. However, such dishes are practically not ordered by tourists from other countries.
- Habitual snowmen are sculpted from two snow balls.
- The Japanese are lovers of big cars.