Japan is on the high of everybody’s journey bucket checklist, and for good cause. Now we have visited Japan on a number of events and at all times appear to study one thing concerning the nation after we are there. Positioned in East Asia within the Sea of Japan, the archipelago of Japan is an unbelievable nation to go to. Most individuals already know concerning the unbelievable Japanese delicacies and its position in World Struggle II, however there may be a lot extra to the nation that we cowl right here.
Enjoyable Information About Japan
Do you know that Japan is understood to have the world’s second-highest life expectancy, subsequent to Hong Kong? In 2024, there have been 2.31 million Japanese individuals over the age of 90, with over 71,000 of them being over 100! So, have the Japanese found the key to perpetual life?
Japan is a rustic with a posh and historic cultural heritage, but in the present day, it is likely one of the most superior international locations in expertise and innovation since 1950. Japan’s type of authorities is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary authorities. The forex utilized in Japan is the Japanese yen.
Japan offers quite a lot of consideration to schooling, and the nation is likely one of the most literate on this planet. A particular consciousness of pure magnificence and curiosity in form and stability are apparent.
A few of these cool details about Japan and its habits might shock you. I do know it did that to us. For instance, Japan’s nationwide sport, sumo wrestling, has its roots in historic rituals to entertain deities, and the disciplined lives of sumo wrestlers present how necessary the game is. I feel we are able to study lots from their lifestyle. Additionally, pure sizzling springs, generally known as onsen, are an enormous a part of Japanese tradition, not only for rest and rejuvenation but additionally for ceremonial functions in Shintoism and Buddhism.
There’s much more to Japan than meets the attention, so let’s get into the Information about Japan that we actually discovered attention-grabbing.
1. Japan is Extraordinarily Clear
Streets in Japan are immaculate; even in Tokyo, the capital and an enormous megacity, all streets are spotless and litter-free. That being mentioned, how does Japan accomplish this? It’s all about their mindset. The Japanese individuals very seldom go away trash on the streets. Moreover, volunteers of all ages clear the streets for the straightforward cause that they wish to dwell in a tidy metropolis.
2. Tokyo is the World’s Most Populated Metropolis
The larger Tokyo metropolitan space encompasses three areas and is dwelling to Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Tokyo is estimated to have 38.14 million, rendering it the world’s most populous megacity.
3. Japan has the world’s largest fish market in Tokyo
The world’s largest fish market is the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan. It’s monumental and busy. Having been working since 1935, Tsukiji is a worldwide icon of the Japanese seafood business. It covers a substantial space and handles over 2,000 tons of seafood a day. It’s well-known not just for its measurement but additionally for its tuna auctions, the place patrons and sellers go head-to-head in high-stakes bidding wars for one of the best catches.
Though the internal wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, Tsukiji continues to be a must-visit. The outer market continues to be going sturdy with recent seafood, avenue meals, and all kinds of culinary goodies. That is Japan’s skill to stability custom with modernity, to maintain the outdated whereas embracing the brand new.
4. Japan’s inhabitants is 98.5 p.c Japanese.
This may increasingly appear absurd, however the trendy world is changing into more and more multicultural. Nonetheless, this isn’t the case in Japan. That’s largely because of stringent visa necessities and a cultural mindset protecting its distinctive and historic tradition steeped in outdated traditions.
5. Japan Has Canned Meals Eating places
Japan can be an amazing vacation spot for canned meals followers, as quite a few eating places and bars specialize on this meals tradition. Mr. Kanso is the preferred chain of such eating places. The cabinets of those eating places have a various array of canned meals from all over the world. The range on the cabinets ensures that even essentially the most discerning visitor will discover one thing new to strive.
And talking of canned meals, Japan is crammed with merchandising machines. You’ll discover them all over the place on the streets, promoting the whole lot from sake and beer to tea and meals.
6. Japan Has a Excessive Life Expectancy
Japan is nearly tied with Hong Kong when it comes to common life expectancy, at 83.6 years and 84 years. Financial stability and using Japanese cash, particularly the Japanese yen, additionally contribute to longevity. Quite a few individuals attribute Japan’s lengthy life expectancy to the nation’s traditionally more healthy weight loss program than Western international locations. Their weight loss program features a larger quantity of fish, much less crimson meat and extra greens, and smaller parts.
The Japanese sizzling springs most likely have lots to do with the lengthy lives in Japan. These sizzling springs, generally known as Onsens, are frequented by the Japanese for his or her therapeutic properties. We visited a couple of on our totally different journeys and you’ll learn extra about them right here: Japanese Ryokan – Our Keep in a Conventional Inn
7. Japan Has Many Lively Volcanoes
There’s a whole sum of 110 lively volcanoes in Japan! Scientists observe 47 of those lively volcanoes because of latest eruptions or an eruption chance.
8. Every 12 months There Are Over 1,500 Earthquakes
That’s appropriate! Japan is situated on high of or adjoining to a few tectonic plates. The Eurasian, North American, and Filipino plates are the tectonic plates. Greater than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan annually because of its place close to the convergence of those plates. (Aspect be aware: I used to be really in an earthquake in Japan whereas working years in the past in Yokohama. It was scary)
Japan is likely one of the world’s most earthquake-prone international locations. Most of those earthquakes are minor and unnoticeable, however massive and damaging earthquakes do happen every so often.
9. Forests Cowl 67 % of Japan
While you consider Japan, you’re most likely pondering of the nation’s quite a few cities or its most important islands. Surprisingly, 67 p.c of Japan is roofed in forest.
It’s not unusual to see indicators on forest trails warning to look out for black bears. Actually? Black bears in Japan?
10. The Japanese are Extraordinarily Hooked up to Nature and Their Tradition
You will see that that the majority Japanese have a profound appreciation and love of nature. That’s as a result of ingrained spirituality of the traditional Shinto faith, which attributes spirits to pure options comparable to rivers, mountains, and rocks. That’s certainly one of many Japanese details that we realized on our final journey to the nation.
11. Japan Is Residence to the Deepest Underwater Postbox
A cool Japan reality is that Susami is dwelling to the world’s deepest underwater postbox. Susami is a well known fishing city in Wakayama Province. The Guinness World Data acknowledged the city’s deepest underwater postbox in 2002. The postbox is 30 ft underwater and has collected over 32,000 items of mail since 1999.
12. Mount Fuji is a Holy Website
Mount Fuji will not be solely Japan’s highest mountain; it has been a sacred web site for the Shinto faith for the reason that seventh century. The cool factor is that Princess Konohanasakuya is the Kami (divine particular person) of Mount Fuji within the Shinto faith. The cherry blossom is her image.
Even if you’re not a follower of the Shinto faith, it’s mentioned which you can sense the world’s tranquillity and eerie environment.
13. Japan Has Ice Cream That Does Not Soften
This is likely one of the Japan details for teenagers!
The title is a bit deceptive as a result of the ice cream will ultimately soften. The non-melting ice cream will apparently take a number of hours to soften. Think about that children, that is undoubtedly one of the best one of many youngsters Japan details! Yummy!
The invention occurred by chance whereas scientists have been experimenting with the chemistry of strawberries. That was to help farmers impacted by the 2011 earthquake.
14. Portugal Was the First European Nation to Go to Japan
The Portuguese have been the primary European nation to go to Japan in 1543 after they arrived at Nagasaki’s port. This preliminary Portuguese go to signaled the beginning of the Nanban commerce interval, which spanned from 1543 to 1614.
Throughout this time interval, the Japanese and Portuguese traded freely. Japan was launched to new applied sciences and cultural practices, comparable to European weapons, European armor, and European ships.
One other stunning revelation from this period is that the Portuguese launched tempura to Japan. Tempura has since grown to be certainly one of its hottest dishes.
15. Japan Was Locked Down for a Complete Interval When the Shogun Closed Japan
After the large impression of European tradition on Japan since 1543, Tokugawa Lemitsu, the Shogun of Japan, closed Japan to all foreigners in 1635. The Shogun closed Japan by implementing a coverage of isolation, forbidding foreigners to enter and Japanese residents to journey overseas.
Anybody caught with European items could be punished. This was the Sakoku Edict of 1635.
16. Japan Has a Freeway that Passes By way of a Constructing
That’s appropriate! In Osaka, the Hanshin Expressway runs instantly by the fifth, sixth, and seventh flooring of the Gate Tower Constructing.
In actuality, the constructing’s workers are unaware of the freeway because the partitions and flooring are soundproof. Additionally, the freeway doesn’t bodily contact the constructing.
17. Japanese Comply with a Wholesome Weight-reduction plan
The Japanese weight loss program is broadly considered one of many healthiest diets on this planet. The weight loss program consists of conventional meals gadgets comparable to rice, fish, and greens.
Folks in Japan eat much less fatty meals which are larger in minerals and nutritional vitamins. One of many elements contributing to Japan’s lengthy life expectancy is its weight loss program. Uncover our favourite Japanese meals earlier than your subsequent journey.
18. The Final Emperor within the World
Japan is the world’s solely nation with an Emperor. Although the Emperor of Japan wields little energy and primarily serves as a symbolic determine, they continue to be an integral a part of Japanese custom.
Naruhito is the present Emperor of Japan. He ascended to the throne on Could 1, 2019, following his father, Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30, 2019.
19. Japan is a Hiker’s Paradise
Whereas mountaineering is actually not the very first thing that involves thoughts for most individuals after they go to Japan, the nation has a good provide of mountains and mountaineering trails. Moreover, as a result of nation’s geographical variety, there are various various kinds of hikes to select from.
You’ll be able to put your bodily and psychological stamina to the check by mountaineering up the majestic Mount Fuji. There’s a UNESCO-recognized route for trekking by the Japanese Alps on the most important island of Honshu.
20. Japan Has the World’s Sixth-Longest Shoreline
Japan has the world’s sixth-longest shoreline. It narrowly beats Australia, the US, and Antarctica into the highest ten.
Japan’s shoreline totals 18,486 miles. It’s dwelling to mountaineering trails, cliffs, mountaineering trails, quiet coastal cities, and among the world’s largest fishing ports. Examine this pretty seaside city 2 hours north of Tokyo Kamakura, Japan – The Final Seaside Escape
21. The Well-known Kitayamazaki Cliffs
Kitayamazaki Cliffs is a 5-mile stretch of the Rikuchu Shoreline within the Northern Iwate area, that includes 650-foot cliffs. The realm is legendary as a result of it gained first place within the “pure useful resource: coast” class in 1999.
The Kitayamazaki Observatory supplies one of the best view of the shoreline. The Observatory options three distinct commentary decks at various elevations. These decks permit for numerous views of the coast from a single location.
22. Distinctive Customs and Traditions in Japan
Japan is a rustic stuffed with wealthy customs and traditions. Probably the most noticeable is bowing. In Japan, you bow while you greet or say goodbye, and the depth and period rely on the scenario and the particular person’s standing. It’s an indication of respect and is deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition.
The Japanese have an amazing respect for nature, and that is proven in a lot of their traditions. A kind of is cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, in spring. Throughout this time individuals collect beneath blooming cherry timber to admire the great thing about the blossoms, it’s a logo of the impermanence of life.
Japanese meals is one other reflection of this respect for nature, with an enormous emphasis on seasonality and freshness. Many dishes function substances which are solely obtainable throughout sure instances of the yr, so the meals is at all times recent and in sync with the seasons.
The normal Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, sado, or ocha, is a extremely ritualistic apply the place inexperienced tea is ready and served to company in a specifically designed room. It’s not nearly consuming tea however a non secular and philosophical expertise that embodies concord, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Present giving is an enormous a part of Japanese tradition, presents are rigorously chosen and wrapped to indicate respect and appreciation to the recipient. That is seen in lots of facets of life, from enterprise to private relationships.
Respect for elders is one other huge a part of Japanese tradition. Many customs and traditions are centered across the care and reverence of older generations; they’re extremely revered.
In Japan, you take away your footwear earlier than coming into a house or conventional constructing. Slippers or socks are sometimes offered for company to maintain the place clear and respectful.
Japan additionally has many festivals and celebrations, every with its personal customs and traditions. Oshogatsu and Tanabata are celebrated with nice enthusiasm and are deeply ingrained in Japanese tradition.
Politeness and respect are extremely valued in Japanese society. It exhibits in using honorific language and respectful habits in day by day life. The normal Japanese artwork of calligraphy, shodou, can be extremely revered, and plenty of artists have devoted their lives to mastering this historic artwork.
Japan An Attention-grabbing Nation
There you’ve got some attention-grabbing details about Japan! In fact, there is no such thing as a finish to those attention-grabbing details, and there are various extra to disclose! Japan is a 2,000-year-old nation with an enthralling historical past and traditions. If something, we hope this text makes you understand simply how attention-grabbing Japan actually is, encompassing so many various layers to this tradition.