29 Strange Things in Japan

29 strange things in Japan

Japan is known as the Land of the Rising Sun, but it could also be called the Land of Singing Toilets or the Country of the Blue Traffic Light. There are so many strange things and fascinating aspects that make Japan a whole other world.

From high-tech bathrooms equipped with musical bidets to traffic lights that use blue instead of green, Japan continuously surprises and delights visitors with its blend of tradition and innovation. Get ready to explore this extraordinary country and discover its many wonders!

1.The first case of the strange things in Japan: Square watermelons

Square watermelons were invented back in the 1970s by a graphic designer who wanted to create a fruit that could fit compactly in the fridge and be cut more easily. To achieve this unique shape, Japanese farmers grow these watermelons in special containers, which mold the fruit as it matures.

Since square watermelons are quite expensive, people typically don’t purchase them as food; instead, they are often used as decorative items or novelty gifts, admired for their unusual appearance and the ingenuity behind their creation.

2. The second case of the strange things in Japan: Ramen noodles bath

The Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone offers its guests the unique experience of splashing around in a vat of pork soup and ramen noodles. While this may sound unusual to many people, the Japanese believe that soaking in such a bath is beneficial for the skin.

This belief stems from the fact that a broth made of pork is rich in collagen, which is known to help improve skin elasticity and hydration. Visitors to the spa enjoy the novelty and potential skincare benefits of this ramen noodle bath, making it a popular attraction for those looking to try something out of the ordinary.

3. The third case of the strange things in Japan: Bizzare flavors of Kit-kat

Chili pepper, wasabi, sweet potato, grilled corn, soybean, salt watermelon, mango, green tea – that's only a short list of the Kit-Kat flavors you can try in Japan. Which one would you try?

4. The forth case of the strange things in Japan: Fake food

Specialists make this kind of food from plastic or wax, and it looks just as delicious as the real one. Many restaurants use fake food to display their popular dishes in the windows and attract hungry clients. Usually, these replicas cost much more than the dishes they imitate.

5. The fifth case of the strange things in Japan: Rabbit island

Back in the '40s, scientists brought a number of rabbits to Okunoshima Island to do some tests. However, later on, the animals were freed and started to multiply. Now the island is full of them and attracts a lot of tourists.

6. The sixth case of the strange things in Japan: Purikura machines

Taking photos in a booth is nothing new, but Japan added its own exciting twist to this experience. Their photo booths, called purikura, allow you to edit photos right on the spot, adding different backgrounds, funny stickers, or writings. Also, you can send the pictures to your cell phone.

7. The seventh case of the strange things in Japan: People pushers

Subways and train stations get really overcrowded during rush hour. That's why the station staff and part-time workers have to perform the routine procedure of pushing people inside trains to fit in as many passengers as possible before the doors close.

8. The eighth case of the strange things in Japan: Umbrella parking lot

Before going inside a building, you can “park and lock” your umbrella just like you do with your bike. Now you can be sure no one will take it, and you won’t make a puddle on the floor if your umbrella is wet. Many government buildings, offices, and hotels have this sort of umbrella rack.

9. The ninth case of the strange things in Japan: Millions of vending machines

Japan has more than 5 million of them! Mostly because they save time for people who work late hours, which is a pretty common thing there. Besides, Japanese vending machines aren’t just for snacks and soda. You can buy basically anything – from live lobsters to underwear - in these machines.

10. The tenth case of the strange things in Japan: Tokyo's biggest resident

In 2015, Godzilla was granted citizenship in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward. The authorities presented a special certificate stating his new residency, and also made him a job offer – Godzilla became the tourism ambassador. Later, they even installed a Godzilla head 171-feet above ground at Toho, the movie studio that made the original movie back in 1954.

11. The eleventh case of the strange things in Japan:Train delays make headlines

Punctuality is a really big thing there, and train stations do everything possible to avoid a delay. If a train is 5 minutes late, the railway company might have to issue a delay certificate for railway workers and passengers who missed an important appointment. And if the delay is longer than an hour, then the railway company might give an official apology in newspapers.

12. The twelfth case of the strange things in Japan:“Silent” Karaoke

This is a special microphone with a cone that you place over your mouth. It muffles most of the sounds when you sing. It was designed for people who don’t want to wake up their neighbors, and those who feel shy about belting their favorite tunes in public.

13. The thirteenth case of the strange things in Japan: Polite slurping

While in many other countries slurping is considered rude, in Japan it’s a way to show your appreciation of the dish. If you don’t slurp when you eat noodles, then the chef will think that you don’t enjoy the food, or that it’s cold.

14. Face napkins in Japan is the fourteenth thing

When you eat a burger, it’s never pretty because your mouth gets covered in ketchup or mustard. Owners of one fast-food restaurant found a solution to this by serving burgers together with special napkins. They cover the faces of guests who feel a bit embarrassed about looking messy while eating.

15. The fifteenth case of the strange things in Japan:Water-saving sinks

They’re located right over the toilet tanks. The idea is simple: first you wash your hands over the sink, then it goes straight to the tank, and finally, you flush the toilet when you’ve done your business. So, you save water by using it twice.

16. The sixteenth case of the strange things in Japan: Strange mayo No

Japanese mayo doesn’t have any special recipe or ingredient. But they don’t eat it with salads, meat, and sandwiches; in Japan, people usually use it as a topping for ice-cream or on pancakes.

17. Naps at work in Japan is the seventeenth thing

In Japanese culture, dozing off at the workplace – or inemuri – is considered a sign of being a hard-working person who’s very committed to their job. That’s why inemuri is so common, and no one thinks it’s a bad thing. Some people even fake it!

18. World’s shortest escalator in Japan is the eighteenth thing

You can find it in the basement of More’s Department Store, which is located in the city of Kawasaki. The escalator has only 5 steps and is only 33 inches tall.

19. Canned food restaurant in Japan is the nineteenth thing

Eating canned food may not sound like a delicious treat for you. But there’s a whole chain of restaurants all over the country where they serve only canned food. They’re pretty popular, since clients can choose from 300 varieties of food from all across the world. You can read more about this topic Here.The global canned food market is vast and diverse, encompassing a wide range of food products. Some common categories include:

20. Doll village in Japan is the twentieth thing

The village of Nagoro used to have a population of 300 people, but less than 40 residents live there now. A local artist, Tsukimi Ayano, made over 300 life-size dolls, most of which look like former residents; and they’re located in various states of action. For example, there’s a whole classroom of them in the village school that was closed a while ago.

21. No 4’s in Japan is the twenty-first thing

It’s common for Japanese culture to avoid the number 4 because it’s considered to be very unlucky. That’s why some buildings don’t have a 4th floor, stores don’t sell a set of cutlery for 4, and the number of guests to some event can’t be 4.

22. Blue traffic light in Japan is the twenty-second thing

They use a blue color instead of green for traffic lights. The reason for that hides in their language: historically, there was only one word for both colors. When traffic lights first appeared in the country, they were as green as anywhere else. But that green color was still called blue. To make things right, the government decided to use the bluest shade of green possible.

23. Cleaning classes in Japan is the twenty-third thing

In many Japanese schools, children learn how to clean as part of their education. They mop their classrooms and hallways, do dusting, and even clean the bathrooms. Teachers believe that this practice is an excellent way to raise responsible citizens. By involving students in the upkeep of their environment, schools aim to instill a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and respect for shared spaces from a young age.

24. Footbath train in Japan is the twenty-forth thing

Take the Tsudoi tourist train to get the most comfortable sightseeing experience. This train has footbaths built of aromatic cypress wood and filled with warm spring water that can soothe the pain in your joints. So you can soak your feet and enjoy beautiful views at the same time while traveling from Nagoya to Yunoyama Onsen.

25. Futuristic toilets in Japan is the twenty-fifth thing

Toilets in Japan are very high-tech, equipped with a variety of advanced features. To use one effectively, a person should familiarize themselves with the numerous buttons and their functions. These functions often include heating the seat for comfort, spraying warm water for cleaning, and even playing music to ensure privacy. This technological sophistication in Japanese toilets highlights the country's commitment to hygiene, convenience, and user experience.

26. Crazy ice-cream flavors in Japan is the twenty-sixth thing

The Japanese love experimenting with unusual food combinations, which leads to the creation of many unique and surprising flavors. As a result, finding ice cream flavored with horse meat, cactus, charcoal, squid ink, garlic, or even chicken wings won't be a problem in Japan. These inventive and sometimes bizarre flavors reflect the Japanese spirit of culinary adventure and creativity, offering a gastronomic experience like no other.

27. Space-saving parking lots in Japan is the twenty-seventh thing

Since Japan is a densely populated country, efficient use of space is crucial. This necessity has led to the development of smart parking systems, designed like multi-level garages. These innovative parking structures maximize limited space by allowing cars to be stored vertically, often employing automated systems to move vehicles between levels. This efficient use of space is a testament to Japan's ingenuity in urban planning and technology.

28. Robot-run hotel in Japan is the twenty-eighth thing

In a hotel in Nagasaki, robots play a significant role in its operations. The hotel is called Henn-na, which translates to "strange." At Henn-na, human-like androids meet guests, clean rooms, carry luggage, make coffee, and even smile. Despite the extensive use of robotic staff, real people are also employed there to recharge the robots and supervise their performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This blend of advanced technology and human oversight creates a unique and futuristic hospitality experience.

29. Café companion in Japan is the last thing

Sitting alone in a café and enjoying your coffee and food is common for most people around the world. But in the Land of the rising sun, you’ll get a huge plush Moomin to sit next to you in one of the cafes, so you don’t have to eat alone.

You can also watch this video in this regard: