20 TRULY AMAZING CUSTOMS OF JAPAN - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The customs of Japan are highly recognized in the world due to their uniqueness and difference from those of the West and the rest of the world. In fact, when a tourist visits their lands, it is normal for them to feel that they have entered a parallel universe.

The education of the Japanese, the respect they show and the kindness are often discussed. But its gastronomy, superstitions, erotic tastes or wardrobe court are also very striking.

Japanese masks. Image by pen_ash from Pixabay

I recommend that you stop to learn about these curious customs of Japan. From square watermelons and cat cafes to blue lights and canned food restaurant.

List of amazing customs of Japan

Serve the oldest first

Are you the most adult person in your social group? If you lived in Japan you would be honored by your friends. Although this would not be in a literal sense, unfortunately, your friends would treat you with greater respect.

In fact, in restaurants and bars, older people are always served first. This is a way of showing admiration, because older people are supposed to have more wisdom and life experience.

In some families, it is even customary for the younger members to be in charge of serving the food to the older ones.

Reverence

Continuing with the customs related to respect and admiration, in Japan reverence plays a very important role when communicating with other people. It is used for a variety of reasons. Everything will depend on the incline and how close the body is to the ground.

For example, when people say hello or goodbye, they do a little nod. But when they want to show respect before an authority or at a sporting event, there is a clear forward leaning of the body. It is also often used to apologize. The incline will depend on the severity of the offense.

No tips are given

People generally tip as a thank you for good service. However, in Japan it is the opposite, doing this is an insult.

They say that customers are always paying for good service, why should they give more money? After all, every employee is obligated to do their best, especially when dealing with an audience.

For them, it is enough that they thank you. But, if you still want to tip in Japan, you should make sure to be very discreet and deliver the money in an envelope.

They love cute things

Although we all love cute things, in Japan they take this feeling to a second level. In fact, no place on earth appreciates cuteness as much as this country does.

Much of their pop culture is based on what they call "kawaii." Although the term is translated as "cute" or "tender", it actually means the capacity for love that an object or person can generate thanks to their tenderness. A very clear example is Hello Kitty.

They also capture this sentiment in advertisements and advertisements. Even in the warning signs.

Go to cat cafes

For many people, cats are the most beautiful and perfect animals in the world. However, some people don't have the time or place to keep one as a pet. For that reason, in Japan they have created cat cafes.

This commercial alternative allows the Japanese to have their hot drink, while enjoying petting cute furry kittens. In fact, these places are very popular. They are generally visited by people who have had a long day at work and who just want to relax by stroking a pussycat.

Cuddle cafes

Since 2012, in Tokyo, some places were opened that offered their male customers, sleep hugging a woman. However, this business does not allow any "fun" act, the person simply goes to rest in the company of another.

Services range from a 20 minute nap to a full night's rest. Obviously, prices vary according to the service, for that reason the rate is between 40 and 400 dollars. Clients can also have their back patted or their hair stroked. However, this comes at an additional cost.

Ultra expensive square watermelons

Watermelon is a very popular food in Japan during the summer. However, they prefer these fruits to have square, heart-shaped, or triangular designs. Although this may seem difficult to believe, it is really possible thanks to the fact that they are grown in special containers and cellars.

They are perfect as decorative items. In addition, they are very compact when stored in the fridge and easy to cut into slices. However, making these fruits take this shape is a very tedious process and requires years of practice. For that reason, said food is usually sold for about $ 160.

Sleeping at work is a sign of commitment

In most countries it could be a problem to catch an employee taking a nap, when he is supposed to be working. However, encountering this type of situation is totally acceptable in Japan.

In fact, in the «Nation of the Sun» it is considered as a sign of commitment on the part of the employee. Because it is believed that the person has worked very hard and therefore is extremely exhausted. Some companies even allow their workers to take 30-minute naps anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.

Children clean their own schools

In Japan, students must clean their classrooms and much of their schools. No matter how old they are, from first grade this is part of their education. In fact, sometimes they also serve lunch to their classmates or clean the bathrooms.

However, this not all. In some seasons of the year, they take care of the surroundings of the school. The purpose of this custom is to sow from an early age, the importance of respecting your environment.

Train delays generate national headlines

In 2017, a Japanese railway company issued an official apology for sending a train 2 minutes late. This is because Japanese trains are among the fastest and most punctual in the world.

In fact, the average delay time is approximately 30 seconds. For this reason, if a train is five minutes late, the railway company issues an official statement reporting the problem. However, the amazement among the Japanese increases if a train is delayed for an hour or more, this news ends up appearing in the newspapers.

Rabbit resorts

Like the kitten cafes, there are resorts populated by rabbits. These places are located on Okunoshima, an island in the Inland Sea of ​​Japan that is inhabited by hundreds of wild rabbits. In fact, it is considered one of the most beautiful areas of the Nation of the Sun and that attracts more travelers each year.

These little bunnies roam the woods and paths. They also chase tourists and appear in their viral videos. After all, they are so friendly that they tend to jump into people's laps and provide a relationship time for everyone who meets them.

Strange vending machines

Vending machines in Japan offer more products than just snacks and drinks. They offer sushi, bottled sodas, surgical masks, canned carrots, and used underwear!

This is because the Japanese do not have much space to store consumer goods. Also, companies prefer to place a vending machine on a street than to open a retail store.

For this reason, there are more than 5 million of these products in the country. It could be said that there is one for every 23 people. This means that Japan has the highest density of vending machines in the world.

Thermal bath houses

In Japan, hot springs are very popular. However, Yunessun Spa Resort has popularized a very strange custom. They offer a tub full of pork soup and ramen noodles.

This is because lately people are very concerned about having beautiful skin and they know the effect of collagen that a good pork broth can offer.

This practice has become extremely popular. Since it is fun and offers many healthy benefits. But if ramen is not your thing, they also offer a sake bath and a green tea bath.

Christmas at KFC

Although a fast food restaurant is the last place you want to celebrate Christmas, KFC has become a favorite place for many Japanese people around this time.

It all started in the 1970s, when the manager of the country's first KFC heard foreigners say they missed having turkey, a hard-to-find food in Japan at Christmas.

So, thanks to good marketing, this custom gained popularity among the Japanese, although it is not a very celebrated holiday in this nation. These days, many people order their KFC Christmas dinner in advance.

Traffic lights with blue lights, or are they green?

It is well known that the green traffic light means continue. But, what do you do when your culture uses the same word to talk about green and blue? It turns out that, in old Japanese, "ao" was used to refer to both colors.

Currently there is a term to speak specifically of green. But, traffic lights with this shade are still known as "ao".

For this reason, there are traffic lights on the streets that range from turquoise to aquamarine. Since the authorities seek to comply with international laws, without losing their customs.

Canned food restaurant

Although Japanese gastronomy is praised throughout the world, there are chain restaurants that only serve food that comes out of a can.

The most popular is called Mr. Kanso, which have more than 40 restaurants throughout the country. When a customer goes to your store, they can choose from the 300 dishes offered on their menu.

However, their meals include dishes from around the world. The most popular are canned salads from France, a sea lion curry, and a cocoon of Korean silkworms.

Capsule hotels

Developing the real estate industry in central Tokyo has been a challenge. However, Japanese architects have created hotels that ingeniously seek to solve the scarcity of space.

Initially they were created for businessmen to avoid traveling to their homes on the outskirts of the city. However, they have become very popular with budget travelers and foreign tourists looking for a more daring experience.

Generally, although the capsule is extremely small, most people report that they are more comfortable than they appear.

Plush companions

As you can see, in Japan there are all kinds of restaurants. After all, they are extremely creative people and are always looking for solutions to their clients' problems.

For that reason, it shouldn't surprise you that an anti-loneliness cafe exists. In other words, if you don't have enough time to have a romantic relationship or your friends are always busy, in this place you can enjoy a delicious dish accompanied by a huge stuffed animal.

There are different models, although the most popular are those in the shape of animals. Especially one in the shape of Mumin, that popular Finnish animated series.

Cafes run by maid

Lately, a fashion inspired by maid clothes has become popular in Japan. In fact, there is a whole culture around her that has been called Lolita. For that reason, it should not surprise you that some restaurants and cafes ask their employees to wear this type of clothing.

In these establishments you can enjoy cute pancakes, ice cream in the shape of a stuffed animal and all kinds of colorful food. However, the main attraction is the girls who look innocent and are always dressed as maids. Some girls even stop men on the streets and invite them to cafes. Akihabara is the best place for these kinds of coffee shops.

For much, the bathroom is their sacred place, especially since they have their throne there. For that reason, Japan has taken this reality to the next level. Since their toilets are very technologically advanced.

These can generate sounds to counteract any that we expel. In addition, it emits a perfume, lifts the seat automatically or heats it to the temperature you want. It even plays all kinds of music or has a built-in bidet. It should come as no surprise that western tourists find them a bit confusing.