Joanna James
For several centuries, Japan was not open for international tourists. It's been over 150 years since the borders were opened to the world, but some facts about Japan still mystify us. One such thing is their culture and here are some facts you never knew about it.
You don't find many Christians in Japan. They account only up for 2% of the population, but Christmas is a public holiday for all. While Christians engage in festive decorations with Christmas trees and bulbs, it's a date night for most of the Japanese couples. Every Otaru hotel near Jr Station the likes of Grand Park Otaru gets full of young couples sharing their moments of love on Christmas day, and it's something similar to Valentine's Day for them.
Omiyage means a collection of several special foods packed in decorative boxes. Food items inside the boxes are wrapped separately allowing the people to share easily. These food items belong to several regions in Japan, and the word 'Omiyage' means 'souvenir' in English. So, yes- if you've been to Japan on a tour, Omiyage is the souvenir you should take home when you go back. Japanese people expect this souvenir whenever someone comes back after a tour.
For the Westerners and even for most of the Asians, walking while eating or drinking something is a common thing- but you can't do that in Japan. Initially, it was considered rude, but now this belief has changed with time. But even today, people don't do this because it's often looked down upon as low-class behaviour. The Japanese would purchase their food or drink from vending machines, and just enjoy it standing beside the machine.
While most people hesitate to try horse meat, the Japanese are fond of it! They have consumed horse meat since the 16th century (as the importance of the horse declined gradually in the agricultural sector), and even today, almost all the restaurants serve it. Raw horse meat in their local language is called 'basashi' and it's eaten with grated ginger and sweet shoyu. It takes a pale pink colour, and you may also try it if you wish.
If someone asks about the national sport in Japan, that's none other than Sumo. But, it's not the most popular sport among the locals. Locals love baseball. It's the most-watched sport and the most played one as well. Two professional baseball leagues operate in Japan, and a myriad of leagues in high schools and universities are operated across the country. In addition to just watching, the Japanese also love to cheer for their teams by singing fight songs that only they understand. This game was introduced to Japan during the Meiji Period, and as many Americans settled in Japan after World War II, the love for baseball grew like bushfire.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
