{"id":18310,"date":"2019-09-27T07:53:51","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T07:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/?p=18310"},"modified":"2019-09-27T08:06:31","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T08:06:31","slug":"5-strange-and-wonderful-things-about-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/en\/5-strange-and-wonderful-things-about-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Strange and Wonderful Things About Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 24px;\">Every country has its quirks and curiosities. Whether an unusual food (like Vegemite or lutefisk), an <strong><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brussels.be\/manneken-pis\">odd landmark<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, a cult-like <span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hbo.com\/game-of-thrones\">TV show obsession<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, or <strong><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomatofestivalspain.com\/\">eye-raising cultural events<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, there are one-of-a-kind characteristics and oddball charms unique to every culture. In this blog post we celebrate some of the wacky things we love about Japan.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18320 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Restaurants-and-vibrant-nightlife-of-Dotonbori-district-Osaka-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Restaurants-and-vibrant-nightlife-of-Dotonbori-district-Osaka-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Restaurants-and-vibrant-nightlife-of-Dotonbori-district-Osaka-1140x660.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Restaurants-and-vibrant-nightlife-of-Dotonbori-district-Osaka-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><strong>1) BATSU GAME SHOWS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Game shows are already weird in and of themselves, but Japan elevates the format. Who can forget the<span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"> <strong><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zM63XJYnKhk\">Nuru Nuru Treasure Hunter<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>AKA \u2018Slippery Stairs\u2019 segment of TBS\u2019s All-Star Kanshasai variety show that went viral, where celebrities tried &#8212; and failed &#8212; to clamber up lubricated steps? There is an entire genre of games called<span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><strong> <a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teamgaki.com\/batsu-game-complete-collection\/\"><i>batsu <\/i><\/a><\/strong><\/span>where contestants are penalised with hilariously painful punishments. And then there are your garden variety show challenges, such as going on a date in a backless tuxedo or trying to guess which piece of furniture is made of candy.<\/p>\n<p>Some shows are so good they\u2019re even adopted overseas &#8212; see American Ninja Warrior, Fear Factor and Hole in the Wall <span style=\"color: #047e7b;\">(<strong><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zL4HSk4MUUw\">Human Tetris<\/a><\/strong>)<\/span>, which have more than borrowed from Japanese inspiration.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18319 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1800x1200-px-Gundam-Japan-mech-robot-1342531-wallhere.com_-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1800x1200-px-Gundam-Japan-mech-robot-1342531-wallhere.com_-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1800x1200-px-Gundam-Japan-mech-robot-1342531-wallhere.com_-1140x660.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1800x1200-px-Gundam-Japan-mech-robot-1342531-wallhere.com_-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><b>2) MASCOT FEVER\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mascot culture thrives in Japan. Mascots &#8212; called <i>yuru-kyara<\/i> &#8212; compete every year in a national popularity contest called Yuru-Chara Grand Prix, which was won in 2018 by the water goblin Kaparu, the mascot for the city of Shiki in Saitama Prefecture. Being a mascot is a respectable career choice in Japan, with dedicated schools and academies that train students in all aspects of the role. Some of the most successful <i>yuru-kyara<\/i> from Japan include Kumamon, the rosy-cheeked bear representing Kumamoto and Domo-kun, the mascot for NHK, Japan\u2019s public broadcaster, who became a meme a decade ago and even had his own show on Nickelodeon.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18317 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Masks-hang-in-a-booth-during-Tenjin-MatsuriEDITORIAL-USE-ONLY-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Masks-hang-in-a-booth-during-Tenjin-MatsuriEDITORIAL-USE-ONLY-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Masks-hang-in-a-booth-during-Tenjin-MatsuriEDITORIAL-USE-ONLY-1140x660.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Masks-hang-in-a-booth-during-Tenjin-MatsuriEDITORIAL-USE-ONLY-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><b>3) VENDING MACHINES \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever visited Japan, you\u2019ll notice how prevalent &#8212; and handy &#8212; vending machines are. The country has more than 5 million, dispensing such things as hot noodle soup, beer and sake, cigarettes, fresh eggs and vegetables. Experts point to Japan\u2019s high cost of labour and real estate and low vandalism rates as reasons why they\u2019re so popular, with a general love of automation also a factor. Fun fact: the first vending machine in the country was made in 1888 by a furniture designer called Tawaraya Koshichi, who also made the oldest-existing vending machine in Japan, a stamp and postcard dispenser.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18322 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Tokyo-Shoppers-in-an-indoor-shopping-arcade-Shibuya-Blurred-by-motion.-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Tokyo-Shoppers-in-an-indoor-shopping-arcade-Shibuya-Blurred-by-motion.-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Tokyo-Shoppers-in-an-indoor-shopping-arcade-Shibuya-Blurred-by-motion.-1140x660.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Tokyo-Shoppers-in-an-indoor-shopping-arcade-Shibuya-Blurred-by-motion.-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><b>4) INTELLIGENT TOILETS\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You sit down and the seat is warm. The gentle sound of water trickling begins, while a panel of buttons provides an array of wash and dry options. While most toilets in Japan are your regular tank\/flush type, in hotels, malls and restaurants you\u2019ll find multi-function that make restroom visits a luxury experience. Aside from a warm seat and warm washlet water, there\u2019s a flushing simulator to mask any sounds and an automated flush and lid closure when you stand up. At the vanguard of high-tech toilets is<span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"> <strong><a style=\"color: #047e7b;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.toto.com\/en\/wtjapan\/exp\/index.htm\">Toto\u2019s Intelligent Toilet<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, which features a UV light to kill bacteria, savable user profiles to remember personalised wash settings and a powerful \u2018tornado flush\u2019 that keeps the bowl sparkling clean.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18350 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pros-and-Cons-of-Living-in-Japan-Amazing-Toilets-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pros-and-Cons-of-Living-in-Japan-Amazing-Toilets-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pros-and-Cons-of-Living-in-Japan-Amazing-Toilets-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\"><b>5) ONSEN WONDERLANDS\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the general nudity involved with visiting an onsen with friends, family or even colleagues might strike some as unusual, it\u2019s Japan\u2019s themed onsen parks that really raise a brow. There\u2019s the beautiful Edo-Onsen Monogatari onsen in Tokyo, where you shed your traditional <i>yukata <\/i>robe to bathe in thermal springs amid an authentic Edo village. Then there\u2019s Yunessun \u2018hot spring paradise\u2019 where you can immerse yourself in a giant bowl of ramen, a pool of red wine, a green tea bath or an actual pool of sake.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18321 size-blog-thumb-2column-sidebar@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Hot-Spring-in-Ryokan-818x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"818\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Hot-Spring-in-Ryokan-818x474.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Hot-Spring-in-Ryokan-1140x660.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Japan-Hot-Spring-in-Ryokan-409x237.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>To see Japan up close, contact our travel consultants at <a href=\"mailto:go.japan@exotravel.com\"><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\">go.japan@exotravel.com<\/span><\/a> or simply drop us an email enquiry below!<\/em><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/tours\/japan\/#enquire\"><span style=\"color: #047e7b;\">Drop us an enquiry now!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every country has its quirks and curiosities. Whether an unusual food (like Vegemite or lutefisk), an odd landmark, a cult-like TV show obsession, or eye-raising cultural events, there are one-of-a-kind characteristics and oddball charms unique to every culture. In this blog post we celebrate some of the wacky things we love about Japan. 1) BATSU [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[228,261],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan","category-see-do"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Strange and Wonderful Things About Japan - EXO Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From intelligent seat-warming toilets to taking a dunk in a bath of green tea, Japan has some weird and wonderful experiences in store for its visitors\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.exotravel.com\/blog\/en\/5-strange-and-wonderful-things-about-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Strange and Wonderful Things About Japan - 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