'Strange' things in Japan

Making sound while eating is considered rude in the West and most of the world. Not in Japan. 'Nuff said!!

In Japanese culture, there is a tendency to separate areas into clean and unclean, and the contact between these areas is minimized. For example, the inside of the house is considered a clean area, whereas the outside of the house is considered unclean. says Wikipedia. The toilet is the unclean area, and thus special slippers are used only for it.

Coworkers assume the sleeping person at work must be working too hard; it is SO common in Japan that there's a term coined for it called 'Inemuri'.

Most of us would want to align our teeth perfectly if its crooked or otherwise. Its entirely different in Japan, and considered CUTE!

This might sound really weird and disgusting to most, but love hotels sure are popular in Japan and are found almost everywhere--with not many restrictions applicable for people to use them.

Tanning the skin to the darkest shade possible and then loading up on bright makeup and accessories is a major fashion movement called Ganguro. Its popular though it looks frightening!

"The “Americaness” and simplicity of the message rather than any religious associations with the holiday is what makes it appealing." says The Financial Times.

From spewing out fizzy drinks, beer, toys, ice-cream, food and even bananas (!), Japan's vending machines have become almost like an icon for the country, so much that you can find very many in just one street!

Its a large part in the Japanese culture to talk VERY moderately. Which means, they might be opposing your idea while actually saying out loud that they like it. This can be a problem while dealing with Japanese clients. ><

Whether you can afford it or not, you've got to pay at least 30, 000 Yen as a gesture of goodwill at a Japanese wedding. Of course, there are different levels of these "gesture goodwills" depending on your relationship with the new couple.