Japan is a unique country with a culture that influences the whole world. Japanese food, electronics, fashion, and entertainment are highly valued around the globe. From this small nation, lasting legacies and icons have emerged, capturing the imaginations of foreigners everywhere. In Japan, cutting-edge technology sits side by side with age-old traditions and cultural practices. These facts will show you what makes Japan unique and captivating. Let’s explore its history, geography, and culture for a deeper understanding of the land of the rising sun.
9 Japanese Facts
Japan is an archipelago consisting of four main islands. (Source)
The four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. About 4,000 smaller islands surround Japan.
There are Japanese deer that will return a respectful bow. (Source)
Bowing is a major part of Japanese etiquette, with rules about how and to whom to bow. Outside Todaiji Temple, over a thousand deer gather every morning, and if visitors give them a biscuit and a bow, the deer will bow back!
Japanese bullet trains are the fastest in the world. (Source)
Japan’s bullet trains can reach up to 320 km/h. The Shinkansen or bullet trains aren’t just fast, they’re smooth too. It’s said you can balance a coin on the windowsill even as these trains rocket through tunnels, cities, and the mountainous countryside.
Traditional Japanese rooms are tiled with straw. (Source)
These mats made from rice straw are called tatami. Tatami can cover the floor and walls. Room sizes in Japan are often measured in the number of tatami tiles needed to cover the space.
Japan is densely populated and focused on urban living. (Source)
As a small landmass with many people, Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. A third of the population lives in or around Tokyo and Honshu. Over 90% of Japanese people live in urban areas.
Japanese is the most lucrative second language to learn. (Source)
Japan has many industry-leading companies in the realms of technology, engineering, and automobiles. Countries around the world will pay more to hire employees who can speak to Japanese company representatives.
Many Japanese practice an ancient religion called Shinto. (Source)
Shinto has been around since prehistoric times. It’s a religion that celebrates the divinity of the natural world and recognizes various gods, goddesses, and spirits. Buddhism is popular in Japan as well. In many cases, it’s practiced alongside Shinto.
Slurping your noodles is polite in Japan. (Source)
Many Japanese dishes include steaming, hot noodles. Slurping the noodles noisily not only shows your appreciation for their taste but also helps cool them down as you eat. There’s a particular technique for noodle guzzling. Hold them up with your chopsticks, lean over the bowl, and slurp them down. Foreigners may need a bib, but natives of Japan can do this without spilling a drop of broth.
The Japanese island of Okinawa has the longest-living population in the world. (Source)
Many Okinawa residents live to be over 100 years old. They attribute their longevity to a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, soy, and fish.
Featured image photo credit: DSD
