15 Mind-Blowing Facts About JAPAN: The Most Eccentric Country on Earth – Travel Documentary

Brief Summary

This video explores 15 surprising facts about Japan, covering its unique cultural aspects, traditions, and modern life. It touches on topics like the origin of its nickname "Land of the Rising Sun", the interest of Japanese women in foreign men, the country's safety, geishas, transparent public toilets, unique apology methods, rental companions, instant noodles, love hotels, vending machines, hot springs, tourist destinations, festivals, cuisine, and the cost of living.

• Japan is known as the "Land of the Rising Sun" due to its geographical location.
• Japanese women are increasingly drawn to foreign men for their emotional openness.
• Japan boasts one of the lowest crime rates globally.
• Geishas are living symbols of Japan's traditional arts, not sex workers.
• Transparent public toilets in Tokyo use smart glass for privacy.
• Apologies in Japan can involve shaving one's head for serious offenses.
• Rent-a-friend and family services are booming in Japan.
• Instant noodles are a cultural pride and a solution to world hunger.
• Japan has over 20,000 love hotels with creative themes.
• Vending machines are ubiquitous, offering a wide array of products.
• Japan is a hot spring paradise with unique bathing customs.
• Iconic tourist destinations include Mount Fuji, Osaka Castle, and Sagano Bamboo Forest.
• Japan hosts over 300,000 festivals annually.
• Japanese cuisine ranges from delicate to daring, with unique dishes like raw horse meat.
• The cost of living in Japan is high, but many find it worth the experience.

Japan – The Land of the Rising Sun

Japan is known as the "Land of the Rising Sun" because of its location on the far eastern edge of the Eurasian continent, making it one of the first places to see the sunrise. The Japanese refer to their country as Nippon, meaning "origin of the sun." The country consists of over 6,800 islands, with Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku making up 97% of its land area. Japan's terrain is largely mountainous and volcanic, with a temperate climate and four distinct seasons that attract tourists year-round.

Japanese Women and Their Special Interest in Foreign Men

Modern Japanese women are increasingly independent, with over 70% of working-age women holding stable jobs. They are also more cautious and mature when it comes to love, with the average age of marriage rising to 29-30 years old. An increasing number of Japanese women are attracted to foreign men, who are perceived as more romantic and emotionally open compared to Japanese men. Around 6,000 to 7,000 Japanese women marry foreigners every year, especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Japan – One of the Safest Countries in the World

Japan is known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the world, particularly for serious crimes. People can safely walk home late at night, and lost valuables are often returned intact. Tokyo, despite being one of the most populated cities globally, consistently ranks among the safest. This high level of safety is attributed to education from a young age, which emphasizes moral lessons, and the high value placed on honor in Japanese society, where losing face is a significant deterrent to wrongdoing.

Geisha – Living Symbols of Japan’s Traditional Arts

Geishas are professionally trained women who perform traditional Japanese arts such as dance, playing the shamisen, tea ceremony, classical singing, and conversation. Contrary to Western misconceptions, geishas do not sell their bodies but showcase their talents. They wear elegant kimonos, with their obi belt tied neatly at the back, and signature makeup consisting of white foundation and vividly red lips. The journey to becoming a geisha involves rigorous training from a young age, living in shared houses, and mastering various artistic and communication skills.

Transparent Public Toilets

In Tokyo, transparent public toilets designed by renowned architects use special glass that remains see-through when unoccupied, allowing people to check for cleanliness and safety. Once someone enters and locks the door, the glass instantly turns opaque, ensuring complete privacy. Japan is known for its clean and high-tech public toilet systems, which often include heated seats, automatic washlet systems, fake flush sounds, and emergency call buttons.

When Apologies in Japan Come with a Shaved Head

Apologizing in Japan is a solemn ritual, with specific angles of bowing indicating different levels of remorse. In serious cases, such as ethical violations, individuals may shave their heads as a symbolic form of apology rooted in the samurai era, where hair symbolized ego and dignity. An apology in Japanese culture does not necessarily mean admitting fault but can be a way to ease a situation, show respect, or avoid making others uncomfortable.

You Can Rent a Companion or a Lover

The friend and family rental industry is booming in Japan, particularly in major cities like Tokyo. Companies specialize in providing rental relatives and companions, allowing customers to choose someone based on age, appearance, and personality. The cost ranges from $50 to $100 per hour for role-playing services. This industry is successful due to the professionalism of the actors, who are trained to play their roles convincingly, and it serves as a temporary solution to loneliness in a society where it is becoming a national issue.

Instant Noodles – A World-Hunger Solution and Cultural Pride of Japan

Japan is the birthplace of instant noodles, invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, which have become a global food staple and even a food item for astronauts. The Japanese have transformed instant noodles into a cultural symbol, offering hundreds of diverse and creative flavors, including limited seasonal additions. The Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama honors this invention, allowing visitors to design their own custom cup noodles.

Japan Has Over 20,000 Love Hotels

Japan has over 20,000 love hotels across the country, featuring quirky designs and bright neon lights. Each room has a unique theme, from Hello Kitty style to spaceships and old-fashioned prisons. These hotels offer a private space for couples, with a discreet check-in process involving touchscreens and no reservations required. The love hotel industry generates over $40 billion in revenue annually, surpassing the anime industry.

Vending Machines Are Everywhere

Japan has one of the highest vending machine densities in the world, with over 4 million machines nationwide. These machines offer a wide variety of products, including drinks, canned coffee, cup noodles, raw eggs, umbrellas, toys, batteries, face masks, books, underwear, and sushi. The machines are well-maintained, even in remote areas, reflecting a strong respect for public spaces and a sense of collective responsibility.

Japan – The Hot Spring Paradise

With over 27,000 natural hot springs, Japan has the most in the world, with over 3,000 onsen facilities offering hot spring bathing services. Bathing in an onsen is not just for cleanliness and relaxation but also for healing, relieving joint pain, and reducing stress. A unique rule is that bathing must be done completely nude, as it represents honesty and equality. Before entering the bath, everyone must wash thoroughly, and disruptive behavior is prohibited.

Japan’s Iconic Tourist Destinations

Iconic tourist destinations in Japan include Mount Fuji, a sacred mountain and a spiritual journey for climbers. Osaka Castle, a former military fortress, is now a popular spot where visitors can rent samurai armor. The Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto offers a serene experience with the sound of wind rustling through the bamboo recognized as a national sound. Owakudani Valley in Hakone is an active volcanic area where eggs are boiled in hot spring water, turning them black, and are said to add seven years to one's life. Nagoro Village in Tokushima Prefecture features life-sized dolls created by a local artist to honor former residents, telling a bittersweet story of a disappearing community.

Japan – The Land of Festivals with Over 300,000 Events Each Year

Japan is known as the kingdom of festivals, hosting over 300,000 traditional events annually. The Hanami festival in spring celebrates cherry blossoms, while the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto features giant floats paraded through the streets. The Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima City is Japan's largest street dance festival, attracting over 1.3 million visitors. Festivals in Japan preserve and share tradition, connecting the past with the present.

Japanese Cuisine – From Delicate to Daring

Japanese cuisine is considered a form of art, emphasizing harmony in every detail from color and texture to the sound made when chewing. While familiar dishes like sushi and tempura are popular, some dishes are more daring, such as basashi (raw horse meat) from Kumamoto. An ice cream shop in Tokyo offers over 100 unique flavors, including ramen, beer, grilled meat, squid, and horse meat.

Cost of Living in Japan – Expensive but Worth the Experience

Japan ranks among the countries with the highest cost of living, especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Rent in central Tokyo can range from $1,300 to $2,500 per month, while costs in the suburbs range from $390 to $800. Affordable food options are available, with simple meals costing between $6 and $10. Monthly utility bills range from $100 to $200, and internet plans cost between $30 and $50. The average monthly living cost for one person ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on lifestyle and location. Despite the high cost, many find it worth it due to the modern, safe, and convenient environment.