Japan. Japan. Japan.
The island nation in the Pacific Ocean.
Japan with its famous love for hygiene, quirky inventions and utilising space in the most efficient manner possible.
We’re talking about dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples.
Here are 10 things that will leave you speechless when you visit Japan:
1. ‘Modest’ toilets
Their hi-tech toilets! The toilet seat comes equipped with heater, which is very useful during the winter.
What is even more fascinating about their toilets is the privacy button. When the button is pressed it creates a flowing sound to disguise dirty business.
2. School bags
Japanese school kids all tote the same school bag. This is so that each and every child knows that they are equal regardless of money or status.
3. ‘High’ soccer fields
I call this showing off, but one thing that will blow your mind is the fact that they have soccer fields on top of buildings.
4. The traditional tea ceremony
Tea ceremonies are the very essence of the Japanese culture. During this ceremony you will learn about each item, how to hold the right position when drinking tea and how to honour your guest when hosting this ceremony.
5. Mayonnaise obsession.
The Japanese are obsessed with this condiment, because they use it for almost everything, even mixing it with corn.
Did you know that there is mayonnaise museum in Tokyo called the Kewpie Mayonnaise Museum? This is an entire museum dedicated to educating people about mayonnaise.
6. Vending machine mania
The insane amount of vending machines. You might be used to seeing a vending machine at your local supermarket or shopping centre. In Japan for every 23 people there is one vending machine, according to Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers.
There are 5.5 million vending machines in Japan. These machines look like they fell straight out of an episode of Futurama…
They supply you with anything, from condoms to sex toys, from snacks to medicine, from electronics to groceries.
7. Courageous drinkers
Their unusual taste in drinks. Instead of having a stiff whiskey or smooth brandy, they settle for a dangerous Habushu.
What is that?
For English speakers, its Snake Wine.
There is a superstition centered around the drinking of Snake Wine.
The Japanese believe that drinking this wine will bring positivity and strengthen the male libido, as the Habu snake mates for 26 hours.
8. Fax machines
They still use old fax machines.
Yes, in a land that is filled with such complex technology, they still rely on the ye’ old faithful fax machine to get the job done.
9. Stamps
They prefer stamps over signatures.
They prefer a red stamp with their last names engraved on them.
10. “Let’s pass out,” said the businessman.
People claim that weekends are made in China because they don’t last. However businessmen in Japan don’t let the short weekends stop them.
Businessmen love drinking in Japan. Even at night you will find them passed out on park benches and the best part is they don’t even have to worry about being mugged.
