The country that gave the world sushi, anime, manga and a ton of useful technology is known for being very quirky and unique. So go ahead and check out these 12 crazy things you will only see in Japan.
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Elevator operators
Elevator operators are rarely seen in Western countries, but you’ll often see elevator girls in Japanese hotels and department stores.
2. Love hotels
Love hotels are short-stay hotels for amorous couples who want a bit of privacy. These hotels can usually be identified by a sign with heart symbols and the most expensive ones offer highly themed rooms with costumers for hire.
3. Unusual vending machines
Vending machines can be found in many unexpected places in Japan, such as near ancient temples, and can contain things such as toy cars, floral arrangements, umbrellas, women’s wear, batteries, cigarettes and even fresh eggs.
4. A cuddle cafe
Men can visit a cuddle cafe in Tokyo and pay to sleep next to a girl. No sexual activity of any kind is permitted, though you can pay even more to stroke the girl’s hair or stare into her eyes for a full minute!
5. A bunny cafe
In Tokyo there’s also a bunny cafe where you can pay to spend time with a bunny. This multi-storey cafe has dozens of bunnies to choose from and once you’ve chosen a bunny to look after, you get to take it over to your seat in a basket and get to cuddle and stroke it until your session ends.
6. Workers sleeping in the office
In the Western world, sleeping in the office is considered a sign of laziness, whereas in Japan it’s considered a sign that you’ve been working very hard.
7. Neverending bubblewrap popping
You love popping bubblewrap, don’t you? Don’t you get upset once you’ve popped it all? Well in Japan, you can buy special toys that are like neverending bubblewrap because once you’ve popped a bubble, it reinflates so you can pop it over and over again.
8. Pillows for singles
The ‘Hizamakura Lap Pillow’ is quite popular among Japanese travelers and is aimed at those who miss the warmth and comfort of a woman’s lap. You can even choose between a red or black skirt.
9. Beer cans with braille on them
Even people who can’t see should be able to see what make of beer they’re drinking, right?
10. Slurping loudly
While slurping is considered impolite in a lot of Western countries, in Japan it’s common for noodles to be slurped very loudly. This indicates that the food is delicious and that the chef should be complimented.
11. School pupils cleaning schools
Most public Japanese schools don’t have janitors; instead they have the children clean the schools as it’s believed this teaches the children equality, respect and responsibility.
12. Blackface
While some in the West frown on blackface and think it’s racist, in Japan it doesn’t have the same connotations. ‘Ganguro’, which translates as ‘blackface’ is a growing trend among Japanese women and involves lots of tanning, bleached hair and colorful make-up. The idea behind this is that it contrasts the pale skin, neutral make-up and black hair that are traditionally considered signs of beauty in Japan.
