Japan is on the high of everybody’s journey bucket listing, and for good purpose. We now have visited Japan on a number of events and all the time appear to study one thing in regards to the nation after we are there. Positioned in East Asia within the Sea of Japan, the archipelago of Japan is an unimaginable nation to go to. Most individuals already know in regards to the incredible Japanese delicacies and its position in World Conflict 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 thought 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 at this time, it is without doubt 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 provides quite a lot of consideration to training, and the nation is without doubt one of the most literate on the earth. A particular consciousness of pure magnificence and curiosity in form and steadiness are apparent.
A few of these cool information 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 will study rather a lot from their lifestyle. Additionally, pure scorching springs, often known as onsen, are an enormous a part of Japanese tradition, not only for leisure and rejuvenation but additionally for ceremonial functions in Shintoism and Buddhism.
There may be 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 stated, how does Japan accomplish this? It’s all about their mindset. The Japanese individuals very seldom depart trash on the streets. Moreover, volunteers of all ages clear the streets for the straightforward purpose that they need to reside in a tidy metropolis.
2. Tokyo is the World’s Most Populated Metropolis
The higher Tokyo metropolitan space encompasses three areas and is house 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 huge 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 dimension but additionally for its tuna auctions, the place patrons and sellers go head-to-head in high-stakes bidding wars for the perfect catches.
Though the internal wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, Tsukiji remains to be a must-visit. The outer market remains to be going robust with recent seafood, avenue meals, and all kinds of culinary goodies. That is Japan’s capability to steadiness custom with modernity, to maintain the previous whereas embracing the brand new.
4. Japan’s inhabitants is 98.5 p.c Japanese.
This may increasingly appear absurd, however the fashionable world is changing into more and more multicultural. Nevertheless, this isn’t the case in Japan. That’s largely resulting from stringent visa necessities and a cultural mindset maintaining its distinctive and historic tradition steeped in previous traditions.
5. Japan Has Canned Meals Eating places
Japan can be an excellent vacation spot for canned meals followers, as quite a few eating places and bars specialize on this meals tradition. Mr. Kanso is the most well-liked chain of such eating places. The cabinets of those eating places have a various array of canned meals from world wide. The variability on the cabinets ensures that even probably the most discerning visitor will discover one thing new to attempt.
And talking of canned meals, Japan is full of merchandising machines. You’ll discover them in every single place on the streets, promoting every little thing from sake and beer to tea and meals.
6. Japan Has a Excessive Life Expectancy
Japan is nearly tied with Hong Kong by way of 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 plan than Western international locations. Their weight loss plan features a higher quantity of fish, much less crimson meat and extra greens, and smaller parts.
The Japanese scorching springs most likely have rather a lot to do with the lengthy lives in Japan. These scorching springs, often 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 complete sum of 110 lively volcanoes in Japan! Scientists monitor 47 of those lively volcanoes resulting from latest eruptions or an eruption chance.
8. Every 12 months There Are Over 1,500 Earthquakes
That’s appropriate! Japan is positioned on high of or adjoining to 3 tectonic plates. The Eurasian, North American, and Filipino plates are the tectonic plates. Greater than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan every year resulting from its place close to the convergence of those plates. (Facet word: I used to be really in an earthquake in Japan whereas working years in the past in Yokohama. It was scary)
Japan is without doubt one of the world’s most earthquake-prone international locations. Most of those earthquakes are minor and unnoticeable, however massive and harmful earthquakes do happen on occasion.
9. Forests Cowl 67 % of Japan
If you consider Japan, you’re most likely pondering of the nation’s quite a few cities or its fundamental 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 Connected to Nature and Their Tradition
You will see that the majority Japanese have a profound appreciation and love of nature. That’s because of the ingrained spirituality of the traditional Shinto faith, which attributes spirits to pure options comparable to rivers, mountains, and rocks. That’s one in every of many Japanese information that we realized on our final journey to the nation.
11. Japan Is Dwelling to the Deepest Underwater Postbox
A cool Japan reality is that Susami is house to the world’s deepest underwater postbox. Susami is a widely known fishing city in Wakayama Province. The Guinness World Information acknowledged the city’s deepest underwater postbox in 2002. The postbox is 30 toes underwater and has collected over 32,000 items of mail since 1999.
12. Mount Fuji is a Holy Website
Mount Fuji is just not solely Japan’s highest mountain; it has been a sacred web site for the Shinto faith because the 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 in case you are not a follower of the Shinto faith, it’s stated that you may sense the realm’s tranquillity and eerie environment.
13. Japan Has Ice Cream That Does Not Soften
This is without doubt one of the Japan information for youths!
The title is a little 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 youngsters, that is positively the perfect one of many youngsters Japan information! Yummy!
The invention occurred by chance whereas scientists have been experimenting with the chemistry of strawberries. That was to assist 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 once 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 surprising revelation from this period is that the Portuguese launched tempura to Japan. Tempura has since grown to be one in every of its hottest dishes.
15. Japan Was Locked Down for a Entire Interval When the Shogun Closed Japan
After the large affect 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 can 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 immediately by the fifth, sixth, and seventh flooring of the Gate Tower Constructing.
In actuality, the constructing’s staff 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 Food plan
The Japanese weight loss plan is broadly thought to be one of many healthiest diets on the earth. The weight loss plan consists of conventional meals gadgets comparable to rice, fish, and greens.
Individuals in Japan eat much less fatty meals which are increased in minerals and nutritional vitamins. One of many components contributing to Japan’s lengthy life expectancy is its weight loss plan. 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. Regardless that 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 Might 1, 2019, following his father, Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30, 2019.
19. Japan is a Hiker’s Paradise
Whereas climbing is actually not the very first thing that involves thoughts for most individuals once they go to Japan, the nation has an honest provide of mountains and climbing trails. Moreover, because of the nation’s geographical range, there are numerous various kinds of hikes to select from.
You may put your bodily and psychological stamina to the check by climbing 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 house to climbing trails, cliffs, climbing trails, quiet coastal cities, and a few of the world’s largest fishing ports. Examine this beautiful 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 the perfect view of the shoreline. The Observatory options three distinct remark 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 filled with wealthy customs and traditions. One of the noticeable is bowing. In Japan, you bow while you greet or say goodbye, and the depth and period rely upon 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 excellent respect for nature, and that is proven in lots of their traditions. A kind of is cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, in spring. Throughout this time individuals collect underneath blooming cherry bushes to admire the fantastic thing about the blossoms, it’s an emblem 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 characteristic components which are solely accessible throughout sure instances of the yr, so the meals is all the time recent and in sync with the seasons.
The normal Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, sado, or ocha, is a extremely ritualistic observe the place inexperienced tea is ready and served to friends 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.
Reward giving is an enormous a part of Japanese tradition, presents are fastidiously chosen and wrapped to indicate respect and appreciation to the recipient. That is seen in lots of elements of life, from enterprise to private relationships.
Respect for elders is one other large 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 sneakers earlier than coming into a house or conventional constructing. Slippers or socks are sometimes supplied for friends 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 conduct in every day life. The normal Japanese artwork of calligraphy, shodou, can be extremely revered, and lots of artists have devoted their lives to mastering this historic artwork.
Japan An Attention-grabbing Nation
There you’ve got some attention-grabbing information about Japan! In fact, there is no such thing as a finish to those attention-grabbing information, and there are numerous 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 notice simply how attention-grabbing Japan actually is, encompassing so many various layers to this tradition.
