Japan is often thought of as being an island nation full of urban centers, yet in reality it’s an expansive land filled with nature and mountain wilderness – Mount Fuji being its highest peak and three quarters of land being unsuitable for housing or agriculture.
Japan is one of the most distinctive and eccentric nations on Earth, so here are a few interesting facts about Japan that may surprise you!
1. Fortune cookies
Japan may be known for its advanced technologies, yet it also boasts an unusual and vibrant culture that stands out from others on Earth. From strange laws to bizarre traditions, Japan boasts plenty of things you won’t see elsewhere.
While fortune cookies have become synonymous with Western restaurants, their roots actually lie in Japan. At Benkyo-do bakery in Japan, a unique fortune cookie with a small piece of paper inside to tell people their good or bad news was first created and was quickly copied by other bakeries in California. But its journey continued when Pearl Harbor accelerated America’s entry into World War II; consequently the Hagiwara family that ran Benkyo-do had to relocate due to World War II; their business was later sold off to Chinese couples thus originating its association with Chinese cuisine and cuisines worldwide.
Fortune-telling has long been an integral part of Japanese society. Temples and shrines across Japan practice fortune-telling by giving out fortune-written pieces called omikujis to worshipers who request one, often including advice, encouragement or warnings that can provide insight into their futures.
Japanese culture stands out with its love of all things cute, weird and creepy – this can be seen through their penchant for themed cafes and restaurants such as Moomin Bakeries, Ninja restaurants and Alice in Wonderland-inspired eateries.
Japan is also an extremely welcoming nation, boasting numerous hotels, restaurants and public baths with hot springs known as “onsen”, where visitors can soak their bodies in geothermally heated waters reaching up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and believed to have healing properties. Japanese citizens regularly visit onsens for this very purpose – so much so that there are now over 6 million vending machines dedicated solely to onsen experiences stocked with items ranging from seafood to umbrellas!
2. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
Japan is widely celebrated for their diverse culture, which features traditional arts like tea ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging. Furthermore, this country is famed for its cuisine as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites; but perhaps one of its most interesting aspects are onsen (hot spring) hotels that can be found all across its landmass – Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is an especially noteworthy one which dates back 52 generations! Guinness World Records even acknowledged this landmark hotel back in 2011!
Yamanashi Prefecture offers visitors a wonderful hotel to discover in its southwestern part – this breathtaking hotel with rooms equipped with tatami mats and traditional Japanese decor is said to provide the ideal spot to unwind and unwind, its natural hot springs reputed to be beneficial for skin health as well as general wellbeing.
Hotel Okura offers visitors an ideal opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine. Kaiseki dinners – multi-course meals designed specifically to be enjoyed while relaxing in an onsen – are served here, with Koshu beef considered some of the world’s finest beef being offered as specialities by its restaurant.
With so much to see and do in Japan, it’s no wonder this top travel destination draws visitors from around the globe. Be it cultural tourism, vibrant nightlife or delicious sushi- there’s something here for everyone in Japan.
3. The oldest hotel in the world
Japan is widely revered for many things, but one of its defining characteristics is its unfailing sense of order and punctuality. Japan has long been known for its approach to time management – being even one second late is seen as an immense discourtesy – this discipline pervades all aspects of society including business and the arts.
Japanese society places great value in community and looking out for each other, contributing to its low crime rate. This can be seen by how most people return lost items (even mobile phones and wallets) back to their owners – this stems from Japan having an extremely stringent code of conduct which children learn early on.
Japan is well-known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens; some of the finest can be found at Imperial Palace where moats and stone walls create a grandiose ambiance. Koi fish species that are known for their vibrantly hued scales also live here.
Japan stands out among Asian countries due to its cuisine, which draws influences from all corners of Asia. Chinese cooking techniques can be found in some dishes while others might draw upon Korean or even Western recipes for inspiration. Furthermore, Japan’s unique geographical position spanning four continents has greatly shaped both language and food within its borders.
Japan has proven itself adept at adopting cultural elements from its neighbors without losing its identity or altering traditional values, including cultivation of rice, use of tea and development of ceramics. Japan adapted Buddhism and Confucianism so they were uniquely Japanese, while samurais played a critical role in shaping Japanese culture by emphasizing concepts such as bushido (warrior code), loyalty and honor.
Japanese culture and history is rich and unique, yet adapting to changing times with ease while retaining many of their old traditions. They possess an intriguing mix of old world tradition and Western practices which makes Japan an interesting country to learn more about.
4. The first female geisha
In 1751, the first female geisha made her debut and is recognized as a pioneer of this profession for women. Geisha are not prostitutes; rather they were hired to entertain men at parties in Japan’s pleasure quarters. Geisha comes from two Kanji characters that mean both “art” and “person”. Geisha are professional female performers specializing in traditional Japanese cultural arts such as dance, music (koto or shamisen), art, poetry, calligraphy tea ceremony or flower arrangement.
Geisha are known for living a very discreet existence within Japanese society, living together in geisha districts (hanamachi). Highly educated and trained professionals, geisha often specialize in various traditional Japanese cultures as they spend years training their craft before meeting clients for entertainment or cultural activities.
Early Japan forced many girls into becoming service girls or “saburuko”, providing sexual services as a means of support. Girls from more advantageous backgrounds eventually discovered they could use their talents as entertainers rather than sexual slaves and thus became geishas for hire.
Early female geisha were experienced professionals whose styles can still be seen today in modern Japan; many contemporary kimono designs even take inspiration from these professional geisha fashions.
Maiko are trainee geisha, typically as young as 15-years-old, depending on the region they operate in. After six to five years in this capacity they will become full-fledged geisha or geiko and charged full price for their time and services rendered. Geisha traditionally were not permitted to marry; many retired by age 60.
Some regional cultures have, however, altered these traditions. Maiko in Kyoto are permitted to marry if they so choose; geisha are generally prohibited from engaging in casual relationships with men they meet through work; however if a romance warrants permanent change to their status or the geisha decides they need more privacy for any reason then she may retire and leave the hanamachi.