10 Interesting Facts About Japan

Japan is one of the biggest tourist attraction countries in the world. People from all over the world visit Japan, especially in the holidays. One of the biggest reasons for this is the huge difference in value of currency. Japan also offers several types of cuisine including French, Spanish, Italian, American and many others. The Japanese shopping plazas are also a major attraction, especially for women. The prices are comparatively low, so when tourists start shopping, only time can stop them. 

People who visit Japan should know certain things, trends and customs of the Japanese culture. The top ten facts about Japan are given below.

1. Japan is situated in the region known as 'The Ring of Fire' in the Pacific due to the volcanic nature of the mountains. Japan has over 150 active volcanoes. The country also has the largest number of natural disasters every year, which includes volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. A study has estimated that at an average of 1500 earthquakes occur in Japan every year.

2. Coffee is very popular in Japan. It is available at almost every restaurant and cafe in Japan. Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica's annual coffee production.

3. In Japan, some of the most common consumable items cost more than double their price in other parts of the world. For example, a can of Coca Cola costs more than a dollar from a vending machine. Also, a single apple costs around $2 and the list goes on.

4. Train stations are always crowded in Japan. You have to arrive an hour early at the station just to make sure that you get a seat. Sometimes the trains get so crowded, especially in the morning and evening, that the station staff are ordered to cram passengers inside.

5. The national sport of Japan, Sumo wrestling, is a must-watch. One would be surprised seeing such large men with such athleticism, battling it out in a circle. The wrestlers are given a special diet which helps them gain weight and still be active.

6. In Japan, every meal consists of a rice dish, or it is included in some capacity in every meal. Two of the most common rice dishes in Japan are sushi and noodle soup. Ramen noodles are a popular type of noodle soup in Japan; making a delicious soup broth requires extensive training from an expert.

7. In Japan, it is considered very rude to say “no” directly in an argument or as a response to a question. One should always try to reason first and if no solution is agreed upon, then only the word is considered suitable.

8. In Japan, a high school student does not need to pass in all subjects to graduate. Education in Japan is only mandatory till junior high school.

9. In public places, such as swimming pools or spas, people have to bathe naked in an open area where there are people roaming around. So if you are a shy person you will definitely stay away from these activities!

10. Blowing your nose in public is considered bad manners, but urinating at the side of the road or picking your nose is acceptable.

*written by Guest Wriiter Andrew, who has been visiting Japan for the last 3 years and is always amazed at the Japanese culture. When he is not travelling, Andrew trains chefs on how to use sushi machines (http://www.sushimachine.com.au) and rice ball machines (http://www.sushimachine.com.au/Product/rice-ball-machine.html)