The whole truth about Japan. Many interesting facts are written about Japan, but the amazing things are in the little things. Interesting facts about Japan. Japanese language: it is impossible to live in Japan without knowing Japanese
Good day everyone!
I recently read a book by one of our compatriots who lived in Japan for about 5 years. After reading the book, a couple of questions arose. More precisely, not questions, but identity-statements about whether this is really the case in Japan. Perhaps the questions are already hackneyed and worn out to holes. Gomen nasai, but still)) Questions are probably primarily for those who have lived or are living in Japan
1. Is it true that all Japanese get drunk on Friday and return home late at night on the last train. And the platform was almost completely vomited.
2. Based on the 1st identity, is it true that the Japanese are still big drinkers? Especially considering how much time they spend at work.
3. Is it true that some types of garbage have to be dried or frozen, because... Garbage is removed only on certain days and therefore, for example, fish remains have to be dried.
4. Is it true that every city has its own rules for garbage disposal?
5. It is very difficult to be a vegetarian.
6. There are very few trash cans on the street. Especially not for cans and bottles trash.
7. It is known that the Japanese chemical industry is almost the best in the world. Especially considering all these different chewing gums and Pepsi, you don’t understand why. This is how orange juice Japanese is, given the success of the Japanese chemical industry
8. Cities are so paved that you can’t just find land, for example, for flowers, if you’re a gardener. Those. for example, in Moscow I can go out into the yard, drip with a shovel and voila - land for flowers. How about in Tokyo?
9. I heard if there is such an exotic thing among Japanese tourists as visiting the Siberian wilderness of Russia. But can ordinary average Japanese afford it? In general, they are a traveling people or only more and more in their own country
10. Is it true that there are toilet slippers?
11. In Japanese houses, the main problems are with heat and sound insulation. I also read that there are problems with cockroaches
12. It is indecent to kiss on the street. The Japanese are very shy in terms of expressing feelings, especially love.
13. Is it true that people can give a piece of meat as a gift? And they buy meat not in kilograms, but in grams, because... A Japanese won’t eat that much, and it’s expensive.
14. They also give fruits as gifts. And their fruits are sold not like ours - in kilograms, but by the piece. I remember in the village, when I was little, I ate kilograms of cherries, strawberries, etc. Are Japanese children really deprived of this?
15. Is it true that in terms of sex, the sex industry and any other entertainment (besides sex), the Japanese are almost ahead of the rest.
16. Is it true that Japanese girls are very complex about breast size? And that there is even a corresponding myth about the boob tree. By the way, where is it located?
Thanks for answers.
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15. In all northern cities of Japan, where snow falls in winter, sidewalks and streets are heated. There is no ice, and there is no need to remove snow. Very comfortably!
16. However, in Japan there is no central heating. Everyone heats the apartment as best they can.
35. In Japan they eat dolphins. They are used to make soup, cook kushiyaki (Japanese kebab), and even eat them raw. Dolphin has quite tasty meat, with a distinct taste and is completely different from fish.
50. In Japan Tipping is strictly not accepted. It is believed that as long as the client pays the prescribed price for the service, he remains on an equal footing with the seller. If the buyer tries to leave extra money, he thereby depreciates the service/product provided to him, reducing equal exchange to a handout.
51. During the year of living in Japan, I never encountered any manifestations of racism against myself. I think this is very cool.
52. On Japanese MTV there is a popular series Usavich, a cartoon about two birds with one stone, Putin and Kiriyenko, trying to survive in a police state.
53. The age of sexual consent in Japan is 13 years old.
54. Japan three times the size of England. The area of Japan is 374,744 km², England is 130,410 km².
55. Japan is often cited as an example of an overpopulated country. In fact, Japan's population density is only 360 people per square kilometer. This is less than in England, where there are 383 people per square kilometer.
56. In Japanese the words “wrong” and “different” are denoted by the same word 違う (chigau).
57. In Japan Things have taken root that twenty years ago seemed like the future, but today leave a strange retro-futuristic impression. Automatic doors in taxis, vending machines that sell everything from fruit, to soups, to used underpants. fantastic shape and funny fashion. This is all very cool.
58. The Japanese word 御来光 (goraiko) describes the sunrise seen from Mount Fuji. Japanese has a lot of meaningful words.
59. Hitler admired the integrity of the Japanese nation and called them “honorary Aryans.” In apartheid-era South Africa, the Japanese were the only ones who were not disenfranchised, as they were considered “honorary whites.”
60. An emergency warning system for the nation is built into it. When something happens, a loud beep sounds on all phones (even if the sound was turned off) and a message appears explaining what happened and how to behave.
61. In Japan there is no looting. If you type “looting in japan” into Google, you will only find tens of thousands of surprised foreigners who cannot understand why empty houses are not looted in Japan.
62. They hardly speak English, but they use a fantastic number of Anglicisms. Alex Case tried to make a list, got over 5,000 words, and got tired of continuing. At the same time, the Japanese pronunciation distorts them so much that you can’t hope to understand them, or that they will understand you if you pronounce the word with the original accent.
63. Few people know that the words “cotton wool”, “pollock” and “ivashi” are borrowed from Japanese. I think everyone knows about “tsunami” and “typhoon”.
64. Japanese also has borrowings from Russian. The words イクラ “ikura; caviar” and ノルマ “noruma; norm". There is also a funny expression “ヴ・ナロード” “wu people; to the people,” it was inherited from Alexander II.
65. In Japan there is the death penalty. Last year, eight criminals were executed in Japan. The last two executions were attended by the Japanese Minister of Justice.
66. In Japan most low level murders and the lowest rate of violent crime per 100 thousand population among all countries analyzed. Here is the highest average duration life in the world.
67. One of the largest gay districts in the world is located in Shinjuku-Ni-Chome. It has the largest concentration of gay bars in the world.
68. . There are regional differences: in Chinese there are more characters and in simplified form they are written differently. But knowing Japanese, you can understand the general meaning of Chinese signs.
69. Instead of a signature in Japan, they put a special personalized hanko stamp. Every Japanese has such a seal and it is used many, many times a day. You can also buy it at any store.
70. Japan the only country in the world where the criterion for train delay is a minute mark.
71. In Japan It is considered impolite to open a gift in the presence of the giver. They thank him for it, and then put it aside to open it in private.
72. Japanese They believe that a person should be able to hide suffering behind a smile. There is even a saying 顔で笑って心で泣く (Kao de waratte kokoro de naku; smile while you suffer inside).
73. Japanese a nation of very passionate people. If they do something, they strive for complete authenticity. Thus, in all French bakeries, Japanese inscriptions are duplicated in French. An Italian gelateria will have ice cream labeled in Italian, and a Spanish restaurant will have a menu in Spanish. However, there will be nothing in English. Sometimes it seems that for them it is just “another European language.”
On some high-speed trains, when entering the carriage, the conductor takes off his hat and bows, and only then checks the tickets.
In Japan, you can see vases with umbrellas on the streets. If it starts to rain, you can take any, and then, when the rain stops, put it in the nearest vase.
The Japanese have very low pensions. The maximum social benefit for poor old people is about $300. Every Japanese person is expected to take care of their own old age.
In Japan academic year starts on the first of April. By the way, in Japanese the months do not have names; instead, they are designated by serial numbers.
In the northern cities of Japan, all sidewalks are heated, so there is never ice here.
Arriving to work on time in Japan is considered in bad taste. You need to be there at least half an hour earlier.
There is even a word in Japanese called “karoshi,” which literally translates to “death from overwork.” On average, ten thousand people die every year with this diagnosis.
Every second Japanese draws well and sings well. This is partly the result of the system of raising children - they are first taught to draw and sing, and then to speak and write.
The Japanese are very clean people, but no matter how many members there are in the family, everyone takes a bath without changing the water. True, before this everyone takes a shower.
The Japanese are crazy workaholics. They can easily work 15-18 hours a day without a lunch break.
The Japanese are very shy, not used to expressing their feelings. For many real feat say: “I love you.”
The Japanese and alcohol are poorly compatible concepts. Most of them even after one stack strong alcohol They start to turn terribly red. But there are exceptions - they will outdrink anyone.
A third of weddings in the country are the result of matchmaking and viewing parties organized by parents.
The age of consent in Japan is 13 years old. This means that from a certain age, consensual sex is not considered rape.
The Japanese almost never invite guests home. The invitation to “come by sometime” in most cases should be taken solely as a polite turn of phrase.
Tokyo's Shinjuku-Ni-Cheme district has the largest concentration of gay bars in the world.
If you are caught for something serious, they have the right to keep you in a pre-trial detention center for 30 days without allowing a lawyer.
Tokyo is the safest metropolis in the world. Tokyo is so safe that children as young as six can use public transport on their own.
You won't see trash cans on Japanese streets. The Japanese take all the garbage home, and then sort it into four types: glass, burnt, recyclable and non-burnt waste.
Every grocery store has a hentai shelf on the press rack. Large bookstores have entire floors dedicated to pornography.
Japanese police are the most honest in the world; they do not take bribes. Except that sometimes for minor violations you can talk them out of letting them go by pretending to be a “baka”.
People in Japan are very honest. If you lost your wallet on the subway, there is a 90% chance that it will be returned to the lost and found office.
There is no looting during earthquakes in Japan.
Japan has a specific attitude towards pornography. Previously, almost every Japanese hotel had a strawberry channel.
Japan has the slowest McDonald's in the world.
In Japanese, “fool” is “baka” (literally stupid person). And a foreigner is like a “gaijin” (literally, a stranger). "Baka-gaijin" in Japanese colloquial means American.
In Japan they eat dolphins. They are used to make soup, cook kushiyaki (Japanese kebab), and even eat them raw. Dolphin has quite tasty meat, with a pronounced taste, and is completely different from fish.
The Japanese have great respect for those who can speak at least two phrases in their language. They believe that it is impossible to learn it.
IN Japanese families It’s an absolutely normal situation when a brother and sister don’t talk at all, don’t even know their numbers mobile phones each other.
The Japanese talk about food all the time, and when they eat, they discuss how much they like the food. Having dinner without saying oishii (delicious) several times is very impolite.
Maybe, proper nutrition This can be explained by the fact that it is very rare to see an overweight Japanese woman here.
The strongest curse words in Japanese are “fool” and “idiot.”
Japan is a beautiful and amazing country, but many people know very little about it and its culture. And there is something to tell about her. For example:
1. It's completely normal to eat raw horse meat in Japan.
Many of us cringe at the thought of eating horse meat, especially raw and cold. But in Japan, raw horse meat, also called basashi, is considered a delicacy and is served in many restaurants. This is not a new fad - the Japanese have been eating raw horse meat for many decades.
Basashi is much healthier than pork and beef, and it's much harder to get sick from it. coli. Horse meat is high in protein and linoleic acid, but low in calories. In addition, horse meat may be able to prolong life. Demographic data published in 2013 showed that people from Nagano Prefecture live the longest in Japan: average life expectancy is 80.88 years for men and 87.18 for women. Their secret is that they eat horse meat.
2. 1500 earthquakes per year
Japan is a very beautiful, but at the same time very dangerous country. Not because of the high crime rate, not at all - judging by this indicator, it is one of the safest countries in the world. The fact is that this is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world.
Japan experiences 1,500 earthquakes a year. Fortunately, most of them are just weak tremors, but terrible destructive earthquakes also happen here. In the past, this has resulted in thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in damage.
The main factor is geographical position Japan: The country is located at the junction of four massive tectonic plates, and when the plates move, earthquakes occur. In 2011, the plates suddenly began to move extremely actively, which led to a disaster.
That earthquake, called Tohoku, is considered the most powerful and devastating earthquake in the entire history of Japan - its magnitude was 9.0 points. Despite this, Tohoku was still not the deadliest earthquake: in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake, with a magnitude of “only” 7.9, killed 142,800 Japanese residents.
3. Japan - the land of vending machines
The Japanese love vending machines - there are about 5,520 different ones scattered across the country. Behind long years These machines have improved significantly, some of them are very convenient, others are extremely strange.
In most countries, vending machines usually sell snacks: chips, candy, soda. But the Japanese combine the practicality of vending machines with their love of innovation and the unusual.
In Japan, it is completely normal to buy fresh eggs, bags of rice, bouquets of fresh flowers, toilet paper, condoms, umbrellas, etc. from vending machines. live fish, porn magazines - everything you can imagine. Unusual, but very convenient.
4. In Japan, it's completely normal to slurp when eating noodles or soup.
In the Western world, it is customary to eat without making any unnecessary sounds - slurping or slurping is considered unnecessary and rude. But in Japan, it's quite the opposite - slurping is completely normal and acceptable, even in public. And even highly recommended.
When the Japanese eat hot soup or noodles, they smack, slurp, slurp and behave like pigs from a Westerner's point of view. Why? This behavior in Japan is seen as a sign of appreciation and approval. This means that you like the soup or noodles so much that you want to cram as much as possible into your mouth at any cost. In other words, this behavior is a compliment to the cook for a job well done.
5. Baseball is very popular in Japan.
The national sport in Japan is sumo, and the most beloved and popular is baseball, otherwise called yakiu. It was brought to Japan by an American athlete named Horace Wilson: in 1873, the first baseball match took place at the University of Tokyo under the leadership of Mr. Wilson, and since then yakiu has become the most beloved team sport in Japan.
There are two professional baseball leagues in Japan: Pacific and Central. Additionally, baseball is played in high schools and universities throughout the country. Games involving school teams are often watched and enjoyed on television - such amateur games are often broadcast on national television.
6. Japan has a very high suicide rate
Japan, as we have already said, is a rich country with interesting story and a vibrant culture. She's beautiful. It is home to a modern, disciplined, hardworking and in every way successful nation. But not everything is so rosy: in Japan it is very high level suicides. More than 30,000 men and women take their own lives each year, with an estimated 24.4 out of every 100,000 Japanese citizens likely to commit suicide.
Suicide has become a serious problem in Japan: in fact, it is the leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 34 and men aged 20 to 44.
Why does this happen in a wealthy, highly developed country? Apparently, Japan has a big problem with unemployment. If they suddenly fail to keep their jobs, many former employees take their own lives. The saddest thing is that most often young people commit suicide due to problems with work, many of them are recent university graduates. Other causes of suicide among Japanese are depression and financial difficulties.
7. An entire family uses the same bathing water in Japan.
For the Japanese, a bath is not only a way to wash away dirt from the body, it is also effective method relax your mind, body and spirit. That's why many Japanese take hot baths in the evenings and regularly go to hot springs. Unlike the Western world, members of the same Japanese family use the same water for bathing. But they do not take a bath at the same time: the father washes first, the mother follows, and then the children.
Almost every Japanese home has a bathtub, but the Japanese use the bathtub more for relaxation than for washing. Of course, the Japanese are very careful about hygiene, but they wash not in the bathroom itself, but in the basin next to it. And after they thoroughly wash themselves and wash off all the soap and dirt, they lie down in the bathroom and relax.
Since they wash in different water, hot water remains clean and clear and can be used by other family members. It is interesting that if there is a guest in the house, then it is he who is given the honor of lying in hot bath first.
8. In Japan, many streets have no names
Yes exactly. But how then do the Japanese navigate their cities among nameless streets? They simply have a unique address system: instead of street names, they use block numbers.
Each quarter is assigned a unique number - this number serves as the address. The spaces between the blocks - the streets - remain without names. In Japan, people usually say: “I live in the second block” or “I work in the 13th block” instead of: “I work on Crocodile Street” or “I live on Banana Avenue.”
To many people from Western countries, this system may seem confusing and ineffective, but in reality it is not. It is very easy to get used to such a system, it is also easy to use, and thus you can find the desired area very quickly.
For example, if the restaurant you are looking for in Tokyo is located in the 12th district, then you need to take a map and find district number 12 on it. And that’s it - you have found where to go. In addition, the block number is easier to associate with a place on the map and remember the route than the street names we are used to.
9. It's normal for adult men to adopt in Japan.
Typically, couples from Western countries adopt infants or young children. The reasons may be different - infertility or friendly communication, it doesn’t matter. But in Japan, things are completely different: for many Japanese families, especially wealthy ones, it is completely normal to adopt adult men.
Why? There are two reasons. Firstly, an adult man will become the continuer of the family. Japan, like many other countries in the world, is a patriarchal society, and surnames are passed down through male children. Couples who only have daughters may well consider adopting an adult male into the family to keep the family line alive.
Secondly, an adult man will provide the family with additional financial support (if the family is not very wealthy) or help in business. This practice is quite common among wealthy Japanese families who own large companies.
Adult men can inherit and manage the family business or start their own. Even if the family has other male contenders for the inheritance, but the father sees that they are not suitable for running the business, he can accept a good leader into the family.
10. Japan is the birthplace of sexual perversions
Surely you have heard that in the Japanese language there is a word 過労死 (karo:shi), meaning death from overwork, and when you mention it, it seems that all Japanese work until exhaustion at a job they don’t like. But is it? The Japanese worked really hard after World War II. In just 23 years, Japan's economy has become one of the strongest in the world. But do the Japanese still work as hard? Japan ranks ninth in the world in terms of working hours. The average employed Japanese person works approximately 33 hours per week or 1,719 hours per year. Ahead are countries such as Mexico, Chile, South Korea and even Russia! True, due to frequent informal events with colleagues and bosses, which cannot be refused, the Japanese sleep about 6 hours a day. Only 7% of the country's employed population sleeps 7 hours or more.
Interesting facts about Japan. Prices in Japan:Japan is too expensive
It's true that transportation in Japan is expensive. It is almost impossible to save on it, since the cost of a metro trip depends on the distance you need to travel. However, food there can be chosen to suit any budget. A huge variety of cafes offer set meals for as little as 500-600 yen, and the portions are usually very large. In addition, in konbini (24-hour shops at every turn) or supermarket you can buy various hearty buns or onigiri and have a snack for 100-200 yen. Accommodation in major cities will also be the main line of your expenses, but if you live in a hostel or rent a room in an apartment, prices will not be higher than in Moscow. Traveling to countries such as Switzerland, Norway or England will cost much more than traveling to Japan.
Interesting things about Japan. Population of Japan:Tokyo is too crowded and busy
When most people hear the word “Tokyo,” they think of the most famous intersection in Shibuya, where several million people pass every day. Or photographs of how a special metro worker pushes passengers into the carriage so that everyone can leave during rush hour. Of course, some areas where business centers and shopping streets are concentrated are often crowded. But as soon as you turn away from the tourist routes, you will find yourself thinking that you are walking down the street completely alone. Sleeping areas and quiet parks are ideal places for walks, especially in daytime when everyone is at work.
Interesting facts about Japan. Japanese language: inIt is impossible to live in Japan without knowing Japanese.
If you don’t know Japanese, or your level is still very low, don’t worry, there are plenty of signs in English in the subway and other public places, so it’s very difficult to get lost. But even if this happened, local residents always ready to help foreigners, even if you don’t ask for help yourself. Many can take you by the hand to where you need to go, even if they are not on the way, or explain the direction with gestures. And if you can speak a few phrases in Japanese, they will be even more happy to help you.
Interesting facts about Japan. Japanese etiquette: inYou will terribly offend the Japanese if you break the rules of their etiquette and traditions.
Of course, before visiting the country it is better to study the basic rules of behavior and not lose face. However, now the Japanese do not present high requirements to foreigners and their knowledge of Japanese customs and do not expect their impeccable execution. If you do not take off your shoes before stepping on the tatami, no one will reprimand you; they will simply politely explain that it is customary to take off your shoes. Pay attention to others, be polite and apologize. Then you will be easily forgiven, and no one will be able to ridicule this or that mistake you have made.
What facts about Japan turned out to be myths for you?
Good preparation is the key to a great trip with wonderful impressions! In order to prepare for your trip to Japan, we recommend that you take our master class “” to study traditions and Japanese realities, and the main course “” for productive communication with the Japanese!
And if you still doubt your abilities, try our mini-course on katakana!