Traveling is always an incredible experience. And if the culture you are traveling to is entirely ancient and different from your own, it becomes even more extraordinary.
You've probably already thought of a country, and yes, it makes sense: Japan. But, there might be a drawback: often, the fear of not being able to adapt to such a significant difference, not only culturally but also linguistically. Well, that has a solution.
If you are considering a school trip to Japan, there are some facts that you should know before embarking on this wonderful adventure. These facts about Japan will help you navigate better and more peacefully. Are you ready to discover them?
10 Curiosities About Japan
Japan is a country of contrasts, a place where the world's highest technology coexists with traditions and customs from thousands of years ago. It's a country that, even though densely populated, has achieved an almost perfect balance with nature. An exotic and highly attractive destination for any traveler, Japan is a place where numerous curiosities are sure to capture your attention.
1. Plastic Food Showcases
The majority of restaurants in Japan have showcases displaying plastic replicas of all the dishes on their menu. The peculiarity is that all this food is made of plastic. Although, at first glance, you might think they are real dishes because of how realistic they are.
If you don't know what to order or are afraid to face a menu in Japanese, don't worry. Just take a look and decide what catches your eye.
In Japanese, these food replicas are called "sanpuru," from the English word "sample."
2. Onsen Culture
Onsen refers to hot springs, and for Japanese Buddhism, it is considered a ritual that bestows seven blessings. It is also a purification ritual in Shintoism.
There are thousands of onsens in the country, scattered everywhere. Enjoying them during your trip to Japan is an experience you shouldn't miss. However, onsens are communal, separated by gender, and require entering nude.
3. Modern Japanese Toilet
The traditional Japanese toilet may not be comfortable for many Westerners, but the situation changes when it comes to a Western-style toilet. These toilets, often referred to as "washlets," typically come with options like heated seats or water jets for cleaning.
In the bathrooms of many shopping malls and train stations, there is a sign next to the doors of each stall indicating whether it has a traditional Japanese toilet or a Western one.
4. Shotengai: Covered Shopping Streets
Covered shopping streets, called "shotengai," are common in Japan. In these streets, you can find everything: restaurants, bars or izakaya, cafes, or Japanese and foreign fast-food stalls. But you'll also find places for playing pachinko, karaoke, video games, purikura, etc.
These streets are common because many Japanese do their daily shopping for basic products there.
5. Chikagai: Underground Cities
Many large Japanese cities have what are known as "chikagai" or underground cities. It's a vast network of tunnels and corridors underground filled with shops and restaurants. They initially emerged to connect different train and subway lines with exits to the street. From there, they grew into genuine underground cities with all kinds of services.
6. Respect Above All
Japanese people are extremely respectful. So, if your school trip to Japan is a fact, you should consider this point very seriously.
They bow to greet, and handshakes are rare. Moreover, asking personal questions, saying "no," or speaking loudly is considered disrespectful. Also, talking on the phone is not allowed inside buses or trains, as it is frowned upon.
7. No Shoes Indoors
It's common in Japan to take off your shoes before entering houses, which may not surprise you. However, what might be surprising is how often you have to take off your shoes, even in various places you probably never imagined. It's not just in houses but also temples, castles, zen-style gardens, restaurants, ryokan (traditional inns), and even in bathrooms!
8. Unattended Stalls and Trust in People's Honesty
Another thing that surprises many tourists in Japan is seeing small unattended stalls. These are often fruit or vegetable stalls from a neighbor's garden, with products on display for anyone to choose from. There's a box or space next to the stall for depositing the money.
There are no controls, and no one checks if you pay the right amount. But at the same time, no one steals money or vegetables from the stall. It's simply trusting that people will behave appropriately. Things that only happen in Japan.
9. Uranai: Street Fortune Telling
The Japanese term "uranai" refers to the practice of fortune-telling. It's common to find fortune tellers (usually elderly ladies, though there are also men) with small tables, folding chairs, and a small lamp.
You can find them at any time, but they are more visible at night. Their preferred locations include city centers, near train stations, parks, temples, and shrines. And, of course, they also appear during festivals or "matsuri."
10. Yuru-kyara: Mascots Everywhere
Japanese people love kawaii (cute) mascots. In Japan, everything, absolutely everything, can have its mascot. From cities to shopping malls, even the Tokyo Metropolitan Police have their mascot.
Ideally, the yuru-kyara mascot is designed based on something typical of the area it represents. Some of these yuru-kyara became true idols in Japan. They appear on television programs, participate in contests, and host events with hundreds of attendees.
As you can see, Japan is full of curiosities that you probably didn't even imagine, but they make you even more eager to get to know it. And there are many more!
We hope you enjoyed these facts, and if you were hesitant about making this country your next destination, hopefully, you have no doubts now. Japan is ideal for traveling because you will learn many new things, including customs, language, history, and a completely different way of life.
