Get ready for your upcoming adventure with these intriguing facts about Japan

From the vibrant cityscape of Tokyo to the historic avenues of Kyoto, discover more about the country's renowned transportation system (beyond just bullet trains), its impressive cleanliness (and how you can contribute), and essential etiquette tips through these captivating facts.

Interesting facts about Japan

Gift giving and omiyage

Japan celebrates two major gift-giving occasions each year: Oseibo and Ochugen. Ochugen takes place in the summer, while Oseibo is celebrated in December. During these periods, individuals give gifts to those they feel indebted to or thankful for, which can include friends, family, doctors, and more.

Another popular gift-giving tradition is ‘omiyage’, which means ‘souvenir’. This specifically refers to the souvenirs you bring back as gifts for friends and family (if you’ll be staying with a host family in Japan, it's thoughtful to bring a gift that represents your home). In Japan, you'll discover numerous omiyage shops offering beautifully wrapped gifts, typically featuring edible treats, to take back with you.

Experience traditional hospitality at a ryokan

When visiting Japan, you'll encounter a wide range of accommodation options, from compact, budget-friendly capsule hotels to opulent high-rise suites. However, one of the most authentic ways to immerse yourself in Japanese culture is by staying at a ryokan.

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn found throughout the country, renowned for its focus on hospitality and etiquette. Guests are provided with yukata (a type of lightweight kimono) and served kaiseki ryori (a traditional multi-course gourmet meal) alongside other guests, in rooms featuring tatami mats and futon beds. One of the highlights of staying at a ryokan is often access to a private onsen (hot spring bath) where you can unwind.

Enjoy slurping your noodles

In many cultures, dining etiquette stresses the importance of eating quietly. In Japan, however, slurping your noodles is not only seen as polite but also scientifically supported as a way to enhance flavor.

Slurping seems to heighten the taste of noodles, potentially by boosting your retro-nasal smell. A 2017 study involving 207 participants revealed that people perceived a more intense flavor when soup was slurped instead of sipped. In Japan, you can freely slurp your noodles; loud slurping indicates your enjoyment of the meal and serves as a compliment to the chef.

You won't find trash on the streets… or bins

Japan is known for its immaculate streets. Not only is there very little litter, but you'll also notice a scarcity of rubbish bins. Instead, it's common to carry your trash until you return to your hotel.

Convenience stores typically provide a small bag with purchases, making it easier to keep any collected waste and your belongings tidy. If you urgently need a rubbish bin, your best options are train stations, public parks, and restrooms. Some vending machines may also have small bins nearby.

Interesting facts about Japan’s geography

Japan is situated on three tectonic plates forming the “Pacific Ring of Fire” and is responsible for around 20% of the world's earthquakes. To cope with these frequent seismic events, buildings in Japan are meticulously designed to endure tremors.

High-rise structures in Japan can endure minor earthquakes without needing repairs and can withstand major quakes without endangering the occupants. This stability is achieved through shock absorbers at the base of the buildings and meticulous attention to architectural layout, among other strategies.

Seals instead of signatures

In Japan, when signing legal documents, residents use a distinctive seal known as a ‘hanko’, featuring their name in Kanji rather than a traditional signature. These hanko seals are kept in a small case that includes ink for stamping. Individuals may have up to three different hankos: a daily use seal, a bank seal, and an official identification seal. However, electronic signatures are becoming increasingly common, especially in government and business transactions.

Intriguing facts about Japan’s history

Japan boasts a recorded history that stretches back thousands of years, rich with captivating stories and remarkable accomplishments. These fascinating insights into Japan's past will inspire you to explore the country's history further.

Japan was once home to the fourth-largest city in the world

In the mid-13th century, Kamakura ranked as the fourth-largest city globally and served as Japan’s de facto capital. After the Minamoto clan defeated the Taira clan and took control in the late 12th century, Minamoto Yoritomo designated Kamakura as their political stronghold.

Today, Kamakura's close proximity to Tokyo makes it a popular destination for day trips, attracting visitors to see the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a stunning bronze statue standing 37 feet tall. Originally constructed in 1252 within a large temple, the statue was left exposed after multiple natural disasters, including typhoons and tsunamis, destroyed the temple surrounding it.

Kyoto boasts thousands of torii gates

Once the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto still features numerous historical buildings and attracts tourists eager to glimpse Japan’s rich past. The Kamigamo Shrine, located along the Kamo River, is over 1,300 years old, but the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of torii gates, is perhaps the most famous. While the main shrine dates back to 1499, the earliest structures are from as far back as 711, and the tradition of donating torii gates began during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868).

Japan is credited with the world’s first novel

The Tale of Genji, written in the early 11th century, is regarded as the world’s first novel. Authored by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady-in-waiting at the Japanese court, the story follows Genji, the charming son of an emperor, as he navigates his romantic pursuits and the intricacies of 11th-century aristocratic life. It was first translated into English in the 1920s, with various translations since that stay quite true to the original text.

Interesting facts about Japan’s transportation

Japan is globally recognized for its highly efficient and rapid railway system. Many major cities in the country are very pedestrian-friendly, prioritizing walkways over vehicle roads. While certain regions, especially in the north, are best navigated by car, Japan’s public transportation network simplifies travel within and between major urban areas.

Shinkansen, the bullet trains

Japan's Shinkansen, or bullet trains, gained fame with the introduction of the original high-speed train in 1964, capable of reaching speeds up to 130 mph. Nowadays, these trains can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph, allowing passengers to journey from Tokyo to Osaka in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Shinkansen operates frequently and is celebrated for its exceptional punctuality, with an average delay of just 12 seconds in 2019.

Although bullet trains are incredibly fast and convenient, they can be relatively pricey. Visitors to Japan might consider the Japan Rail Pass, which offers 7, 14, and 21-day passes at a single price, potentially saving money compared to purchasing individual tickets.

Dining on public transport and Ekiben

While not explicitly prohibited, eating on public transport is generally considered impolite in Japan. The main exception is on Shinkansen, where passengers often embark on long-distance journeys without opportunities to stop for food. Japanese railway stations frequently sell ekiben: bento boxes designed specifically for consumption aboard Shinkansen, some even shaped like the trains themselves! These meals usually include disposable chopsticks or spoons and feature local delicacies alongside rice, meat, and vegetables.

The dwindling number of sleeper trains

With the advent of Shinkansen, which can whisk travelers to their destinations in mere hours, overnight sleeper trains have gradually lost popularity in Japan. The two main sleeper services still in operation are the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo.

These trains run from Tokyo to Takamatsu and Izumo, respectively, operating as a single train until reaching Okayama, where they split into two seven-car trains. On the return trip, they reunite in Okayama, making a stop in the major city of Osaka before heading back to Tokyo.

Shinjuku Station ranks among the busiest stations worldwide

Originally opened in 1885, Shinjuku Station in Tokyo welcomes approximately three million visitors daily, making it one of the busiest train stations globally. It’s infamous among travelers for its confusing layout, so much so that the East Japan Railway Company introduced an app in 2016 to assist people in navigating the station. Nevertheless, getting lost in Shinjuku has become somewhat of a rite of passage for newcomers to Tokyo. The station accommodates intercity trains, commuter rail services, and metro lines across its ten platforms and 20 tracks.