18 reasons why Japan should be top of your vacation list

Published on November 24, 2017, 3:31 pm

Written by Straker Julia in Unusual

A trip to The Land of the Rising Sun is an extraordinary adventure for Europeans. Its traditions, culture, cuisine, fashion and technology are in complete contrast to the western world and yet there's something for everyone in this buzzing, vibrant country!

Illustration : "18 reasons why Japan should be top of your vacation list" — Photo d'illustration

Here are 18 photos that perfectly sum the wonder that is Japan. Tempted to hop on a plane? We certainly are!

1. Tokyo is the safest capital city in the world

The Economic Intelligence Unit has classed Tokyo as one the safest cities in the world. The EIU analyzed data security, personal security, public healthcare and infrastructure. Singapore and Osaka came in second and third, proving that this part of Asia is a tourist-friendly part of the world.

2. You'll easily find your bearings, even if you don't speak the language

Seeing as very few visitors speak Japanese or can understand its complicated writing, signs contain easy-to-follow graphics alongside an English translation - perfect for tourists who don't want to spend a vacation with their nose in a dictionary!

3. A festival dedicated to 3, 5 and 7 year-olds

Each November 15th, Japan holds the Shiti-Go-San (seven-five-three) Festival in honor of all 7, 5 and 3 year-olds. These numbers are thought to bring good luck and these ages represent important steps in a child's life.

4. A morning stretch

All schools and most companies start their day with group exercises. This tradition began in 1928 and has proved to be an incredibly popular practice. A morning stretch wakes up the body and the group aspect brings people and communities together!

5. Premium Friday's

The Japanese work extremely long hours and burn-out is often an issue. The government therefore decided to launch 'Premium Friday's - a system where all employees can leave work early on the last Friday of each month. Hiroshige Seko, the Economy Minister at the time, is a big supporter of this idea and apparently uses this time off to go curling!

6. Family-run businesses

Working hard is an important part of Japanese culture and this is why businesses are often kept in the family and passed down through the generations. A great example of this is the Hoshi Ryokan Hotel, which was built in 718 and is still owned by the same family, some 46 generations later!

7. Japan protects its wildlife and has animal sanctuaries that are open to the public

A famous Japanese sanctuary is Zao Fox in the Miyagi Prefecture on Honshu Island. Here wild foxes live in a preserve that's open to the public. You can even feed them if you fancy getting up close to these adorable animals.

8. Streets are instantly repaired

The Japanese like things to be kept in full working order! In 2014, a 13 meter sink hole (probably caused by the construction of a new subway line) suddenly appeared in road in Fukuoka. There were no casualties and within 48 hours the road was repaired, much to the amazement of the rest of the world!

9. Acts of kindness

During roadworks, contractors protect parked cars with tarpaulin so that they don't get dusty or damaged.

10. Simple, practical and stylish apartments

Japanese apartments are usually very small, but incredibly well-designed. For example, balconies often feature a sink so that occupants can easily water their flowers and plants

11. It's all in the detail

The Japanese are fussy when it comes to well-maintained roads and sidewalks - so much so that they're often livened up with works of art.

12. A superb high-speed train network

Shinkansen trains are called 'bullet trains' for a reason! With a top speed of 320 km/h, they always run on time meaning that you're never late for work or school. Delays are unacceptable, even if it's through no fault of the network that a train risks being late.

13. Public safety alerts

A system called J-Alert allows the government to alert the population via cell phones, the media and loud speakers installed around towns. The government even sends out texts and all the latest models of cell phones are equipped with the app. If there's a major incident it only takes between 4 and 20 seconds for the alerts to be sent out.

14. Food, glorious food!

There's something for all tastes when it comes to Japanese cuisine from traditional Okonomiyaki pancakes to Sakura's famous chocolates. Major brands have also jumped on the culinary bandwagon - LEGOLAND, for example, serves LEGO-shaped fries!

15. Prepared vegetables look like works of art

In Japan, how food is prepared is as important as its taste. 'Mukimono' is the art of creatively preparing vegetables and each region has its own style and specialist utensils in order for chefs to show off their skills.

16. The end of visits to the dentist?

A Japanese scientist called Kazue Yamagashi has created a toothpaste capable of repairing cavities, cracks and chips. A quick, pain-free way to repair teeth and avoid the dentist's drill. Made from a substance that closely resembles tooth enamel, this toothpaste dissolves and then after 3 minutes bonds with teeth, filling in holes and cracks in the process!

17. Weird and wonderful inventions

Japan is famous for its weird inventions - much to the amusement of Europeans. Suction tools to make our lips plumper, a smartphone app that sends kisses to your loved one, thigh-shaped cushions for comfy naps and so forth. The Japanese imagination knows no bounds and you'll pretty much find a gadget for everything.

18. Some of the best schools in the world

Education in Japan is completely different from western cultures. Kids aren't expected to take exams before Grade 4, as teachers will decide if and when a pupil's ready to move up a grade or start learning a new subject. Cell phones are banned in schools and if you're caught with one, it's immediately confiscated and only handed back in the presence of the pupil's parents. In order to teach responsibility, schools don't have cleaners and it's up to the students to clean and organize their classrooms and communal areas!

By Straker Julia
Writer

Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!