Do you want to learn more about Japan? You've come to the perfect location, since I like Japan! It's a fascinating country with a distinct culture and society that can't be compared to anything else in the globe.
We adore Japanese culture, and whether you're visiting for the first time or have lived in Japan for a while, there's always something new to learn about this fascinating country. Prepare for your next vacation by learning a few interesting facts.
Here are 20 interesting facts about Japan.
1. If you're concerned about crime, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, therefore you should consider moving here. Theft of a bicycle or umbrellas left outside the convenience shop are the most typical crimes here.
Locals can be seen napping on the metro and trains with their phones in their hands or obviously visible. People roaming around with their backpacks and bags open is also not uncommon. Furthermore, people do not always secure their homes or their bicycles! That is how secure Japan is.
2. As a defense against ninjas, affluent Japanese lords built residences with purposefully squeaky flooring (known as Nightingale Floors) during the feudal period. The highly trained, legendary mercenaries of feudal Japan were thought to be capable of walking on water, turning invisible, and commanding natural elements, according to tradition. That has to be enough to make you want to lay down some new flooring.
3. This is a very sad fact about Japan because it is a major issue and there is a lack of childbearing. In today's Japanese society, many don't have the time or money to start a family. As a result, there are now more elders than children in the population.
And did you know that adult diapers sell more than children's diapers? I don't know about you, but that strikes me as one of Japan's more strange facts!
The Japanese islands of Okinawa boast one of the world's longest lifespans, and the world's oldest individuals, at 117 and 116 years old, are two Japanese people.
4. Animated Japanese films and television shows (also known as Anime) account for 60% of all animation-based entertainment worldwide. In Japan, animation has become so popular that there are about 130 voice-acting schools.
5. The greater Tokyo metropolitan area consists of three prefectures and contains Japan's capital, Tokyo, with a population of 38.14 million people, making it the world's most populous megacity.
6. In Japan, the bow is an essential form of greeting, and people strive to perfect it. Bow depth is important—lower bows imply greater respect.
7. Trains in Japan are 18 seconds late on average. What gives them the ability to be so organized? Many drivers don't even need a speedometer to know how fast they're going because they're taught in ultra-realistic simulations and only drive one train line. Rail firms compete fiercely for customers, so falling behind isn't an option - they'll do whatever it takes to keep Japan's massive train travelers (even if it means putting posh department stores in the stations).
8. The samurai were a powerful warrior class in Japan from the 12th century until the end of feudalism in the 19th century. A samurai basically possessed a license to kill, with the power to slay any commoner who threatened their honor. For a samurai who committed dishonor to his lord, ritual suicide (known as seppuku) was a revered tradition.
9. Unfortunately, large earthquakes do occur in Japan. The country's deadliest earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, struck on September 1, 1923. The earthquake is thought to have lasted 4–10 minutes, and around 140,000 people were killed.
The Tohoku Earthquake of 2011, which had a magnitude of 9.0, was the biggest earthquake to ever strike Japan, killing 29,000 people. Because many of the houses in 1923 were made of wood, many people died in the flames sparked by the earthquake.
10. The percentage of dissolved oxygen in the Sea of Japan is higher than normal, allowing a wide variety of species to thrive in its waters. The Sea of Japan is home to around 3,500 animal species, including approximately 1,000 different fish species.
11. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit Japan, arriving in the port of Nagasaki in 1543. The Portuguese's initial visit signaled the start of the Nanban trade period, which lasted from 1543 to 1614.
During this time, the Japanese and Portuguese freely traded products, and new technologies and cultural practices were introduced to Japan, such as European weapons, European armor, and European ships.
Another interesting fact from this time period is that the Portuguese were the ones who introduced tempura to Japan, which is today one of the country's most popular foods.
12. Because of the huge influence of European culture on Japan, the Shogun of Japan at the time, Tokugawa Lemitsu, closed Japan off to all foreigners in 1635, after first encountering them in 1543. Anyone caught using European items during this ban would be prosecuted. The Sakoku Edict of 1635 was a long-lasting legislation that lasted almost 200 years.
13. The Hanshin Expressway runs directly through the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of the Gate Tower Building in Osaka. The workers in the building aren't aware of the noise because the walls and floors are soundproof, and the highway doesn't actually touch the structure.
14. It's hardly a country you'd think of as a sparsely populated mountain wilderness, yet Japan's big-name stars are its highly populated metropolis. Around 70% of Japan, however, is covered with forest and mountains, which are unsuitable for farming or habitation. There are around 100 active volcanoes in Japan, the largest of which being Mount Fuji, which stands at 3,776 feet.
15. People in Japan don't have autographs; instead, they have their own seal. The seal, known as Hanko, is usually your name written in Kanji characters and is composed of silk or plant-based paste. Adults usually have three Hankos: one for signing off correspondence and personal concerns, one for banking, and one for identifying themselves. Tourists don't need one, but foreigners residing in Japan can get one produced in small, local stores.
16. You might not realize it when you think of Japan because it is an island country, yet it has the world's third largest economy. It's amazing to see how quickly the country has progressed, especially considering the tragedy it endured during WWII.
With all the Hondas and Toyotas on the road, if you don't live under a rock and have driven anywhere recently, you can probably infer that one of the country's largest product exports is autos.
17. Because Japan spreads for such a vast distance from north to south, the climate in different parts of the country varies significantly. The climate of some of the world's largest cities, such as Tokyo, varies from moderate to subtropical. Summers are hot, winters are pleasant, and there are four distinct seasons.
The climate of Hokkaido's northern island, on the other hand, is substantially cooler. Summers are pleasant and moderate, but the area receives a lot of snow in the winter and temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
18. The kimono is a traditional Japanese women's and men's apparel. It is made up of a long robe-like clothing that wraps around the body with the left side always covering the right. The obi is a belt that secures the kimono. A kimono can cost upwards of $10,000.
19. You may be aware that Japan is an island nation, but did you realize that it has over 6800 islands? Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku are the four largest islands, accounting for over 97 percent of the total land area.
Don't forget about Okinawa's paradise islands, which have magnificent beaches and a tropical environment. In truth, Japan's main islands are among the world's largest.
20. Law and Order is a major deal in Japan (I'm not talking about the TV show), and it's crucial to start learning about it when you're young. That is why many Japanese schools require their kids to clean the restrooms, classrooms, and school grounds.
This also saves money because fewer cleaners are required in the schools.
Consider what would happen if this happened in your country. I can only speak for Swedish schools, but there would be a huge uproar. That is why I believe this is one of Japan's most fascinating facts!.
I hope you found these facts about Japan interesting and that they have piqued your interest in visiting this fascinating country.
Japan is absolutely unique, and if you want to do something unusual, I recommend spending at least three to four weeks traveling over the country, chatting to locals as much as possible (the Japanese are quite kind and frequently speak excellent English), and immersing yourself in the culture.
0 comments:
Post a Comment