Have you tried soy sauce-flavored Kit Kats or seen a vending machine with both hot AND cold drinks? Turns out, these “unusual things” are common in Japan! Here’s another one: a hugely popular Christmas tradition is eating KFC! That’s right. Every year since around the mid-70s, KFC has promoted their fried chicken as a Christmas meal, complete with life-sized statues of Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa to greet locals and tourists all over Japan. It’s a thing, and only in Japan!
Here are 8 more unusual things that are totally common in Japan:
1. Umbrella Lockers
Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash
Umbrellas are as common in Japan as anywhere else, possibly even more so. You can find umbrellas on the cheap very easily, and there’s always a “shared” space to stash them as you enter different establishments. The downside to that is, while the Japanese are not at all known for helping themselves to others’ belongings, so many of these cheap umbrellas look the same that you shouldn’t be surprised if yours ends up missing when you return for it. But if you’ve spent a little extra money on a really cool looking, top-of-the-line model (which you’ll find tons of there!), and would rather not lose it, no worries! Many hotels, government offices, sports centers, and restaurants provide lockers for your favorite umbrella. Just don’t forget your locker number or key!
2. Personal Stamps Instead Of Signatures
Instead of using a pen to sign your name to a document as you’d normally do on a day-to-day basis, the Japanese use a personalized Hanko stamp. Car purchases, leases, contracts, applications, etc., all very commonly “signed” by using this unique method instead of a hand-written signature. This seems unusual, but is actually pretty cool – especially if your handwriting looks like mine!
3. Bullet Train Sushi – Only In Japan!
©Andie Mills
You’ve probably heard of conveyor belt sushi in Japan. Well, there’s a company called Uobei that decided to break away from that standard belt-delivery method and deliver your sushi at top speeds directly to your table by miniature bullet train, after you’ve ordered electronically via the tablet located at your table. This is even more fun than the usual loop of plates going round and round on a belt while you sit at a counter! And if you’re curious about other foods you should try in Japan that aren’t sushi, check out this post.
4. Dogs In Strollers (Instead of Children)
Photo by Mark Timberlake on Unsplash
Dogs now outnumber children aged 10 and below in Japan, many of these dog owners seem to have a different approach to “walking” them. Actually, there’s not much walking involved for the dogs themselves. It’s very common in Japan for pets to be carted around in prams and carts. We’re not gonna lie – we think it’s pretty damn cute!
5. Automated Car Parking – Totally Common In Japan
Japan has had some of the first automated rotary parking systems in the world. Marvels of engineering, these parking facilities allow multiple cars to be parked in a small area that would otherwise only hold a few cars. The use of space is extremely more practical, but even better is that the act of parking your car is also much easier. There are different iterations, but generally you drive up and “it” takes the car away and parks it for you. Forget driving around a crowded lot or structure looking for your own space. Unusual everywhere else, but common in Japan!
6. Vending Machines With Both Hot AND Cold Drinks
©Stephen Mills
Vending machines in Japan are the best. Especially during the colder months of the year, when you can find both hot and cold drinks in the same machine! Imagine a can of hot coffee right next to a bottle of green tea. The hot drinks are indicated by red labels and the cold, by blue labels. Unusual, but totally common in Japan. Oh, by the way – hot coffee in a can… you’re welcome! This was one of my (Stephen’s) biggest OMGs during my first trip to Japan.
7. Few Public Trash Cans – Common In Japan
And ironically, practically no litter either! From what we understand, it’s customary to bring your own trash home with you to dispose of it there. We’re not saying there are zero public trash cans, but good luck finding one simply walking down a street. You’ll commonly find them in convenient stores, where many people stop to eat the foods they buy, and dispose of their trash there. Which probably explains why you’ll see few people walking around the streets while eating. Ironically, litter is as scarce as trash cans. You might see some, but overall very little. It’s quite remarkable, and admirable!
8. Unique And Unusual Kit Kat Flavors
Oh yeah. This is absolutely one of those unusual things that is totally common in Japan! If you want something cool and unique to bring back home to your friends and family from Japan, this will be a home run! Flavors like green tea, soy sauce, strawberry, edamame, wasabi, Tokyo banana, and dozens of others are in rotation, with some being more limited and seasonal than others. It’s so much fun to give these as gifts and watch people’s expressions as they look at the packaging in disbelief and taste them for the first time.
There’s no question that Japan is one of the most creative and innovative societies in the world. This list hardly scratches the surface, as there are so many more things we probably don’t even know about. So if you know of more unusual things that are totally common in Japan, hit us up and let us know. We’d love to hear from you, and we always love learning more cool things about Japan! These unique aspects of the Japanese culture are what make it one of our favorite countries to visit. And hey, if you’re headed to Tokyo and looking for some tips on what to do and where to go, check out our Perfect 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary post!
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[…] Your Tokyo itinerary won’t be complete without a visit to one of their many theme restaurants. Our choice was the infamous Robot Restaurant. It’s an explosion of crazy, wild, Japanese creativity, and none of it seems to make much sense together, yet it works! The fun starts as soon as you walk in. Hot Tip: give yourself time to hang in the pre-show lounge. There’s a lounge band consisting of a glamorous female vocalist backed by a band of robot costumed musicians. You’ll be alerted when the main showroom is opening so you can go inside and take your seat. The show is an onslaught of vibrant costumes, lots of drummers, dancers, and robots, of course. But it’s not only robots – It’s more like a motorized parade including sharks, monsters, and fire breathing dragons. There is even popcorn and drinks for sale. Like, in between every act. Get a preview with our YouTube short on the Robot Restaurant here. Hot Tip: You should book online in advance to be sure you get a seat for the main show. For more Unusual Things That Are Totally Common In Japan, go here! […]
[…] Only In Japan: 8 Unusual Things That Are Totally Common In Japan […]
Haha. Very interesting read. Also, the fact that I’m fascinated by Japan helps too. C’mon, I had sushi in bed for breakfast just yesterday. LOL. BTW, we have many of those Kit Kat flavors here in Thailand too.
Sushi breakfast in bed sounds epic!
Agreed!
That’s amazing!
I think Japanese usually toss trash in the convenient stores…
you’re right. or they carry it home and dispose of it there. they also don’t have a tendency to eat or drink as they are walking/commuting the way we do in the U.S., so there’s no need for receptacles out on the streets.
That is so cool. More reasons why we would love going to Japan. we like to experience new things and new cultures.
Japan is so full of cool and different things when coming from North America! It’s one of our favorite countries, so we highly recommend it to everyone we meet.
Japan will not disappoint – we promise!
Strawberry flavoured KitKats … get me there!, I missed out on that . I was there for 2 weeks in 4 cities but didn’t know to look out for them – I would have adored them . Not sure about wasabi flavoured ones though! I did notice the vending machines everywhere though, very useful. Good articles on some differences there.
thanks! yeah, we aren’t too sure about wasabi, either. then again, it would be fun to taste if for no other reason than to film our reactions!
Thanks, Barry! Sounds like you better visit again as soon as you’re able. Strawberry Kit Kats await you!
Japan is so cool to me! There’s always something unique, different, or cool to find there. From foods to toilets and items, it never ceases to amaze me what awesome things Japan has to offer, great post!
We can confirm, it is all of that AND SO MUCH MORE! 😊 If you have the opportunity to visit, you absolutely should!
This is one of the best articles I’ve read this year, I’m not joking. I love lists like this!! Japan is already one of my number one countries to visit and your list has only enforced that wanderlust!!
That is an amazing compliment – thank you, Shireen! Japan is probably Stephen’s favorite country, and we seriously doubt you’ll be disappointed when you visit. The list of things to love about it is endless!
My son has told me about things like this. He wants to teach in Japan in a year or so. Japan looks very interesting and these little tips are helpful. We love kitkat.
That’s so exciting for your son! And for you, as we hope you’ll be paying him visits while he’s there. It’s such a beautiful and welcoming country.
The garbage can thing is so interesting. You’d think they’d be all over. I’m excited to try some different KitKats and all sorts of other new things!
It is very interesting! You don’t see many people (if any) walking around and eating, for starters – maybe not everywhere in Japan, but Tokyo for sure. Drinks on the go are a bit more common, though. Some convenient stores have some tables and chairs inside for a quick bite, where you can dispose of your trash afterwards. But I’ve heard it stems from an older culture of taking your disposables home with you. Definitely try some omigosh, too – super common grab-and-go snack. Can’t wait to hear how you like (or likely love) Japan!