Japanese culture is absolutely incomparable to any in our Western world. Their deeply rooted politeness, precision, and dedication to work are rarely seen anywhere else. And though you might know Japan as a home to anime, sumo wrestlers, cherry blossoms and bullet trains, their ingenuity shows in many other aspects of their daily lives. Starting with extremely innovative toilets and vending machines filled with fresh farm eggs, to the unique system of Tokyo subway and drainage canals swarming with Koi fish. These are just a particle of the interesting facts about Japanese culture. Actually, there are so many that this one post couldn't fit them all.
Bored Panda has compiled some of the weirdest inventions, cultural practices and amazing facts about Japan that will make this country your go-to destination.
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Bus Drivers In Japan Were On Strike But Continued Driving Their Routes While Refusing To Take Fares From Passengers
I have double thoughts about it. Part of me, thinks this is awsome and effective, but the othe other part thinks that, if you don't make regular people uncomfortable too, you make less impact and the people might not want to support your cause because for them, the protest is only beneficial. If everyone's uncomfortable, everyone will be like "Oh, give them what they want, so this can f***ing end!" But then, again, not everyone is the same, and my appreciation for this kind of striking is prevailing. So, I praise these drivers.
Drink Cans Have Names Written In Braille On The Top
Japanese Fans Stayed Behind After The FIFA World Cup 2014 Match To Help Clean Up
every blue bag filled should be a rewarded with a free ticket to the next match
There Are Baby Seats Attached To The Wall In Most Bathrooms
I Recently Gave Birth In Japan. Here Is Some Of The Hospital Food I Ate
you know what ya get in the UK? toast. I mean, it's damn good toast, but...
You Can Often Find This Kind Of Toilet In Japan. Wash Your Hands And Reuse The Water For Your Next Flush
Japan's Manhole Covers Are Beautiful
Most Japanese Schools Don't Have Custodians. Instead, The Students Do The Cleaning Themselves As A Part Of Showing Gratitude To The School And Learning How To Become More Productive Members Of Society
Japanese here...Every school do have custodians though...the students certainly don't clean the teachers' restrooms... and the custodian usually take care of the garden area too.
The Note In Japanese Says, "I Accidentally Knocked Over Your Bike And Broke The Bell. I Am Very Sorry"
This Is How Smooth The Bullet Train Is In Japan
I love their bullet trains! You'll barely feel it's already moving...
I Dropped My Shopping Bag On The Streets Of Osaka And When I Went Back To Look For It Later That Day, Someone Had Placed It Next To A Tree Untouched
apparently there was once a time when this sort of honesty ruled the world?
Commuters In Tokyo Pushed A Train Car To Save A Woman Who Fell And Got Stuck Between The Car And The Platform
Koi Fishes Even Live In Drainage Channels In Japan
Japanese Toilets Often Have A Button That Plays White Noise/Water Sounds So You Can Poop Without Other People Hearing Your Business
First time I used this toilet I was slightly disconcerted by the accuracy of the water jet but pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness
Another Reason Why I Love Japan
And in escalators, they stay left (I think) if you'll just stand and if you'll walk you go right...
In Trains You Can Rotate The Seats In Any Direction
This is true in China as well. Makes for some great conversation time on long train rides!
Another Great Japanese Invention: Umbrella Lockers. So You Don't Have To Carry Them Around Inside A Building And Nobody Takes Yours 'Accidentally'
This Toilet In Japan Has A System Of Occupied/Vacant Toilets Information
Expectations Meet Reality In Japan
This Japanese Gum I Have Came With Little Pieces Of Paper Inside For You To Spit Your Gum In To When You’re Finished With It
This Shopping Center In Japan Has Free Refrigerated Lockers For Your Perishables So You Can Keep Shopping After You Get Your Groceries
At Narita International Airport (Tokyo) They Give You Free Origami Instead Of Candy
Photo I Took Of Tokyo Commuters Waiting For Their Train
In the Dominican Republic people can wait patiently too. And if a pregnant woman appears, they let her go to the front immediately.
Japanese Being Japanese
This Smartphone Wiper Dispenser In Japan
In Japan, Even The Deer Are Polite
In Japan, The Ground Crew Bows And Waves Goodbye To The Departing Aircraft
What I love about them is their sense of courtesy... When you are around a neighborhood and go down for a morning walk, neighbors will greet you a warm "Ohayo!" (Good morning!) It's very heartwarming..
Japanese Airport Staff Sorted Luggages On The Belt By Their Colour
This Bedside Lamp At My Hotel In Japan Can Be Half Lit
Ordered This From Japan And It Came With A Little Note And Origami Crane
Children's Seat On The Fujikyu Railway Line In Japan
Toreiyu Tsubasa Train In Japan Is Equipped With Footbaths So You Can Enjoy A Relaxing Trip
Japanese Often Line Up For Buses, Trains, Restaurants Or Shops And Can Wait In Lines For Long Periods Of Time. Kids Learn How To Line Up As Early As Kindergarten As It Teaches Self-Discipline, Cooperation And Respect
"Kids Learn How To Line Up " Try it in my country and parents would lynch the teacher who restricted the freedom of their little psychopaths!
Almost Everyone In Japan Reverse Parks
Tokyo Train Company Tsukuba Express Apologized For 20-Second-Early Departure
Whaaat, wooow :O In my country the trains sometimes doesn't come at all and nobody tells you why :D
This Lift In Japan Has A Seat That Can Be Used As A Toilet In An Emergency
I'm more impressed with the deodorant, so even if you're stuck in the lift for hours, you don't need to worry about the embarrassment of getting stinky : )
Restaurants In Japan Display Fake Food That Looks Just Like The Real One From The Menu
Japanese ATM's Have Cane Holders Due To The Aging Population
There Are Over 300 Scramble Intersections In Japan Where You Can Cross A Street Diagonally
At Some Tourist Spots In Japan There Are Stands To Hold Your Smartphone So You Can Take Good Selfies
Japanese Hotel Apologies For One Minute Internet Stoppage At 4am
The Elevators In My Office Building Have An Umbrella Sign That Lights Up If It's Raining Outside (Osaka, Japan)
This Hospital In Japan Offers Glasses With Different Prescriptions For Filling Out Forms
This Japanese Taxi Has A Button To Request Slower Speeds
In Japan, You Not Only Have To Take Your Shoes Off And Change Them To Slippers At The Entrance, But Also Use Different Slippers When You Go To The Bathroom
A Vending Machine Selling Farm Fresh Eggs In Japan
Everybody Lines Up Their Carts Nicely At The Food Court In Costco In Japan
I feel cheated out of living in America.... Most stores are like hell
These Fitting Room Instructions In Japan. Cover Your Face To Prevent Makeup From Getting On The Garment
I think it is the right one, when you have a make-up, so in this way clothes will stay clean
In Japan They Sell Square Watermelons To Fit Better In The Refrigerator
Toothpick At A Mall In Japan Had A Mint Coated Tip
We have the same in Greece also! And I bet other countries have it too!
This Urinal In Japan Is A Video Game You Play With Your Pee
Only In Japan Would Someone Leave These Out While They Sleep
Designated Smoking Rooms On Trains In Japan
That’s cool in my opinion. Smoking is bad but it’s mainly a personal choice like drinking alcohol or overeating. Instead of nearly outlawing it, they accommodate.
This Japanese Handrail Bends With The Steps
I don't think this would be safer or easier to use than the straight handrail.
It's funny how so many of these are both brilliant and awful. I have been many times in Tokyo and while I love the discipline, cleanliness and helpfulness of the Japanese, it can quickly get on my nerves... The reason is simple: the price to pay for this is just too absurdly high. Especially since I'm married with a Japanese woman, because now I need to follow the rules. And trust me, there are lots of them. So many that it's impossible even for a Japanese person to know all of them... And Japanese society (in Tokyo at least) can be very very stressful after a while. Impossible to compare with what we can see in western countries. But at the same time I love Japan. But I hate it... This is why I still don't clearly know if I want to leave in Japan. Part of me says "it's a fantastic country". And it is. But part of me also says "I wouldn't last more than a year in this madness". I've lived in many different countries and Japan is the only one that makes me feel this way...
I like the idea of " take the good, and leave the bad" in regards to different cultures. If it serves you keep it if not, forget it. Nice comment
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Why do so many commenters find it impossible to compliment one society without putting down another? Enjoy Japan for what it is. They have some wonderful cultural attributes, and they have their problems. Just like every other place in the world. It really is possible to appreciate their culture without putting other ones down.
Some of the solutions there are super simple and super needed everywhere. With a little effort we could make things a lot faster, nicer and easier.
It's funny how so many of these are both brilliant and awful. I have been many times in Tokyo and while I love the discipline, cleanliness and helpfulness of the Japanese, it can quickly get on my nerves... The reason is simple: the price to pay for this is just too absurdly high. Especially since I'm married with a Japanese woman, because now I need to follow the rules. And trust me, there are lots of them. So many that it's impossible even for a Japanese person to know all of them... And Japanese society (in Tokyo at least) can be very very stressful after a while. Impossible to compare with what we can see in western countries. But at the same time I love Japan. But I hate it... This is why I still don't clearly know if I want to leave in Japan. Part of me says "it's a fantastic country". And it is. But part of me also says "I wouldn't last more than a year in this madness". I've lived in many different countries and Japan is the only one that makes me feel this way...
I like the idea of " take the good, and leave the bad" in regards to different cultures. If it serves you keep it if not, forget it. Nice comment
Load More Replies... Why do so many commenters find it impossible to compliment one society without putting down another? Enjoy Japan for what it is. They have some wonderful cultural attributes, and they have their problems. Just like every other place in the world. It really is possible to appreciate their culture without putting other ones down.
Some of the solutions there are super simple and super needed everywhere. With a little effort we could make things a lot faster, nicer and easier.
