Japan is likely one of the most visited international locations on the earth. With hovering mountains, picturesque seashores, and vibrant cities, the nation has so much to supply. Able to be taught extra? Listed below are some enjoyable information about Japan which may shock you!
Geographical Information About Japan
Japan is an island nation.
Japan lies off the east coast of Asia and “consists of a great string of islands in a northeast-southwest arc that stretches for approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) through the western North Pacific Ocean.”
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is the biggest metropolis on the earth.
Japan’s capital metropolis is residence to 37.4 million folks—which is 4 instances greater than New York Metropolis!
Japan consists of over 6,800 islands.
The biggest of that are Honshu (the place all the foremost cities are positioned!), Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Mount Fuji is the nation’s highest peak.
The enduring image of Japan, which the Japanese consult with as “Fujisan,” stands at 3,776 meters (12,389 toes) tall. For extra information about Japan, try these fascinating information about Mount Fuji!
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a millennium.
It’s well-known for its quite a few classical Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, and conventional picket homes. Its historical past continues to be protected to at the present time—there’s even a restriction on brilliant colours within the metropolis!
Pure disasters are frequent in Japan.
These embrace earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons, resulting from its geographical location on the Pacific Ring of Fireplace.
Japan has 110 lively volcanoes.
Take a look at this listing of 25 Superb Volcanos in Japan!
Arts & Cultural Information About Japan
The Japanese identify for Japan is “Nihon” or “Nippon.”
It means “where the sun rises,” referring to its location to the east of China. Each pronunciations are acceptable.
The Japanese flag symbolizes the solar.
Often known as the Nisshōki or Hinomaru, it consists of a purple circle on a white background.
The Japanese writing system contains three scripts.
They’re Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji (derived from Chinese language characters).
Cherry blossoms are deeply symbolic in Japanese tradition.
In Japanese, they’re known as sakura and so they symbolize the sweetness and fragility of life. Learn this text to be taught extra about Hanami, the symbolism of the ritual of sakura viewing.
The Japanese tea ceremony lasts 4 hours.
Chanoyu, because it’s identified in Japanese, entails the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, a powdered inexperienced tea. Study extra about what occurs throughout the four-hour occasion.
Onsen are in style for rest and well being advantages in Japan.
Soaking in conventional Japanese sizzling springs, known as onsen, is fairly straightforward as they are often discovered all through the nation, even at amusement parks like Nagashima Spa Land! Study extra concerning the well being advantages of visiting an onsen.
Japan has a powerful custom of performing arts.
These embrace Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku, which have been preserved for hundreds of years.
The Japanese conventional gown is the kimono.
Japanese folks usually put on numerous variations, identified for his or her elegant and complicated designs, throughout particular events and festivals. Study extra concerning the 13 varieties of kimonos in Japan.
Japanese tradition extremely values koi fish.
With their vibrant colours, they’re usually related to success, success, and perseverance.
The Nice Wave off Kanagawa is likely one of the most recognizable works of Japanese artwork.
In late 1831 throughout the Edo interval of Japanese historical past, Hokusai created the well-known woodblock print.
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s two main perception techniques.
It’s very straightforward to search out Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in each a part of Japan. There isn’t a single dominant faith, nonetheless. As an alternative, a number of perception techniques co-exist facet by facet. A higher emphasis is positioned on custom and household rites relatively than following a particular religion.
Gion Matsuri is one in every of Japan’s most well-known festivals.
Happening within the historic metropolis of Kyoto, it options colourful processions of floats, conventional performances, and full of life celebrations.
Japan has a deep appreciation for nature.
Together with cherry blossom viewing and forest bathing, that is evident in Japan’s custom of cultivating bonsai bushes, which entails the meticulous artwork of rising and sculpting miniature bushes in containers.
The Yayoi interval dates again to round 300 BC in Japan.
It marks the introduction of rice cultivation, metalworking, and weaving in Japan, resulting in the event of a extra structured society.
Japanese delicacies is wholesome and scrumptious.
Along with sushi and sashimi, dishes resembling tempura, okonomiyaki, udon, and yakitori, that are identified for his or her contemporary elements and meticulous preparation, are highly regarded.
Japan boasts a wealthy cultural heritage.
This contains conventional arts resembling ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, and tea ceremonies.
Japan is residence to the tallest Buddha statue on the earth.
Constructed by Higashi Honganji Temple, the Ushiku Daibutsu stands 120 meters tall in Ushiku, Ibaraki, and is the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. In keeping with All Nippon Airways, “The interior of the statue houses the main worship hall as well as an 85-meter-high observatory, and a serene garden at its feet creates a peaceful environment.”
Individuals take away their sneakers earlier than coming into their properties in Japan.
Sure eating places, temples, shrines, and historic websites might also ask you to take off your sneakers earlier than coming into.
Information About Japanese Innovations
Japan is a worldwide chief in technological innovation.
The nation is understood for its contributions to numerous fields, together with robotics, automotive manufacturing, electronics, and precision equipment. Learn extra about how Japanese expertise formed the world.
The Shinkansen in Japan stands as one of many quickest high-speed trains on the earth.
Also referred to as the bullet prepare, it’s a image of Japan’s technological developments in transportation. Study extra about how this high-speed prepare works right here!
Karaoke originated in Japan.
This in style type of leisure continues to be a worldwide phenomenon.
Forest bathing began in Japan.
Known as shinrin-yoku (forest bathtub), it’s a in style wellness exercise in Japan that entails immersing oneself within the ambiance of the forest for rest and improved well being.
Japan invented emojis.
This ultra-popular invention was created by two Japanese cellphone carriers. In 1997, SoftBank (often called J-Cellphone on the time) launched their SkyWalker DP-211SW cell phone with the world’s first emoji set in-built! Two years later, Docomo launched a set of 176 emojis designed by Shigetaka Kurita.
Haiku poetry originated in Japan.
Virtually everybody has heard of the poetic type that “consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.”
Japan invented electrical rice cookers.
The primary electrical rice cookers had been bought by Mitsubishi Electrical Company in 1945. Whereas the unique fashions didn’t embrace an automated turn-off function, that was invented by Yoshitada Minami in 1956.
The Japanese invented tactile paving.
When Seiichi Miyake’s pal began slowly going blind, he created tactile bricks (or tenji blocks) to assist visually impaired pedestrians navigate streets, curbs, and prepare station platforms. Watch a brief video in honor of the person who created these lifesaving yellow bumpy blocks!
Japan launched cassette gamers.
In 1979, 16 years after Phillips, a Dutch firm, developed cassette expertise, Sony launched the TPS-L2 Walkman. The non-public cassette participant allowed for the usage of headphones and altered the best way folks listened to music.
Reiki emerged in Japan within the late 1800s.
The choice remedy generally known as vitality therapeutic is predicated on the concept a “universal energy” flows by way of us and is what causes us to be alive.
Extra Enjoyable Information About Japan
Japan has the world’s Tenth-largest inhabitants.
Greater than 123 million folks name Japan residence. This works out to only about 1.53% of the world’s whole inhabitants!
Sumo is the nationwide sport of Japan.
The historical past of sumo spans over 1,500 years. Watch this video about How Sumo Wrestlers Keep Wholesome on 7,000 Energy a Day.
The official foreign money of Japan is the yen.
In 1871, the Meiji authorities enacted the New Forex Act, formally designating the yen as the fundamental foreign money unit.
Japan has a constitutional monarchy.
The emperor symbolizes the state and unity of the Japanese folks. Watch this video concerning the international locations that also have monarchies!
Japan is residence to the oldest firm on the earth.
Operated repeatedly for over 1,300 years, the identical household nonetheless runs Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a hot-spring lodge, since founding it in AD 705. It even holds the Guinness World Report for the oldest lodge!
The Tokyo Inventory Trade is likely one of the largest on the earth.
In keeping with Britannica, “The exchange was first opened in 1878 to provide a market for the trading of government bonds that had been newly issued to former samurai.”
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
The Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum function dedications to selling peace and commemorating the victims of the atomic bombing in 1945.
Japan has one of many highest life expectations on the earth.
This is likely one of the most well-known information about Japan! Components resembling a nutritious diet, lively way of life, and entry to high quality healthcare contribute to their longevity.
Pokémon, Tremendous Mario, and Whats up Kitty are all from Japan!
There are, after all, many many extra. Take a look at this listing of 18 In style Japanese Cartoon Characters!
Anime and manga are in style types of leisure in Japan.
Whereas they originated in Japan, anime and manga have a devoted international fan base. Take a look at this listing of The High 25 Biggest Anime Characters of All Time.
Japan is the one nation to have suffered atomic bombings.
In keeping with the Worldwide Marketing campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, “In the final days of World War II, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing a quarter of a million people instantly or within a few months of the attacks.”
Godzilla was conceived as a metaphor for nuclear weapons in Japan.
After the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear radiation woke up and empowered the fictional prehistoric reptilian “King of Monsters.”
Trains in Japan are among the many most punctual on the earth.
When a prepare is late, the typical delay is simply 18 seconds! They’ve even issued public apologies for a prepare that departed 25 seconds early.
The Sapporo Snow Pageant is a well-liked winter occasion in Japan.
It takes place within the northern prefecture of Hokkaido and options large and elaborate snow and ice sculptures.
An Worldwide UFO Lab opened in Japan in 2021.
The UFO Lab opened on June 24—World UFO Day—and was based “to collect, analyze and disclose information on sightings of unidentified flying objects around the world.”
There are about 4 million merchandising machines in Japan.
Day by day, folks in Japan use them to get every part from sizzling tea and low to popcorn and ramen.
Japan is likely one of the most secure international locations on Earth.
Even Tokyo and Osaka, its two best-known cities, rank on the high of the listing of most secure cities on the earth.