30 Crazy Facts About Japan No One Could Make Up
There are definitely some weird facts about every country in the world, but not many of them hold a candle to the craziness that is Japan.Â
They're shops, called "Soine-ya" (which translates to "sleep together shop"), where men can sleep next to a girl, no sex allowed.Â
It means "empty orchestra."
In fact, young people who participate in "ganguro" are rebelling against the traditional beauty standards of the country where lighter skin is considered more beautiful than darker skin.
Uneven or snaggle teeth, known in Japanese as "yaeba" is very popular among Japanese kids.
It's actually considered a compliment to the chef if you slurp your noodles.Â
The idea originated in Osaka. The hotel features small capsules that are designed for an easy overnight stay.
Well, mostly naked at least. The men wear loincloths to compete for a prize that will apparently give the winner a year of happiness.
"Basashi" as it's known, is considered a delicacy.
Instead the students have to clean up for themselves. Time is set aside each day for them to take care of all the tasks you'd expect a janitor to do.
Since a lot of bathrooms don't have a separate area for the shower, the floor can often be very wet.
It's called "inemuri" and since Japanese employees often end up working VERY long hours (sometimes 19 hours straight!) napping is encouraged to keep productivity up.
Kids will often clasp their hands together in the shape of a gun and poke a passer-by in the butt and shout "kancho!"
If you head to the basement of More's Department store in Kawaski, you'll find an escalator that has only five steps.
Aokigahara is a forest at the base of Mount Fuji and is the second most popular place in the world for suicides. The most popular place in the world is the Golden Gate Bridge
KongÅ Gumi Co., Ltd. is a construction company that was founded in 578 A.D.
About 85% of Jamaica's coffee production each year is sent to Japan.
An amendemnt was added that renounces all war and aggression.
Because they'd have to pay you a severence if they fire you, many companies have created "banishment rooms." An employee is sent to one of these rooms and given tasks that amount to basically busy work, hoping you'll eventually quit.
They're hotels that can be rented by the hour. The hotels are often pretty cheap and include different themed rooms.
"Hikikomori" is a condition where men lock themselves in their room and refuse any contact with anyone. Many psychologists agree the condition is related to depression as well as the anxiety surrounding Japan's social pressures.
This was an ancient Japanese tradition. White teeth were considered ugly, so women used to dye them.
In fact, 98% of all adoptions are men between 20 and 30. This has a lot to do with owning a family business. If a family has no son to keep the name alive, they'll adopt an heir into the family.
A nearly perfect musk melon (which is similar to a cantaloupe) can sell for up to $300.
People in Japan don't really celebrate the holiday, but KFC was popular with foreigners in the country around the holiday since they had trouble finding a whole chicken elsewhere. Eventually, the people of Japan started following the trend, and now you have to make your KFC reservation months in advance.
Japanese citizens are VERY devoted to education.
Mr. Kanso Canned Food Restaurant doesn't have a traditional menu, you just pick out the can.
Fugu is a poisonous blowfish that if prepared wrong will kill whoever eats it. It takes 11 years of training to become a Fugu chef, and you have to taste your own food before you can pass the test.
That includes two volcanoes.
Okunoshima is an island located in the Inland Sea. It's home to thousands of rabbits that roam free.
The Tsukiji market auctioned the big fish off for $735,000.