7 Surprising Things About Japan

Discover 7 surprising facts about Japan before you book your trip. From high-speed maglev trains to quirky holiday traditions, explore it now!

When most people picture Japan, their minds instantly drift to the same postcard-perfect images: the neon-lit labyrinth of Shibuya, pristine cherry blossoms framing Mount Fuji, and hyper-polite robots bowing at hotel receptions.

Source: Pexels 

However, beneath that sleek, futuristic veneer lies a country full of m mind-boggling scale, deeply rooted cultural taboos, and quirky daily habits that leave even seasoned travelers rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Whether you are currently plotting your first flight to Tokyo or you’re just fascinated by the Land of the Rising Sun, understanding what to know before traveling to Japan makes all the difference. 

Here are 7 surprising facts about Japan that deserve a spot on the travel itinerary.

1. Japan owns the fastest train in the world

You probably already know the famous Shinkansen (the iconic Bullet Train) and its legendary, down-to-the-second punctuality. However, did you know Japan is currently sitting on the future of global transit? 

Source:Wikipedia Vietnam 

Enter the L0 series Maglev, utilizing superconducting magnetic levitation, this train does not even touch the tracks - it literally floats nearly 4 inches above them. During a test run, it clocked a mind-melting tip speed of 603km/h (375mph), making it the fastest train in the world. While the Maglev is still undergoing commercial track extensions, the standard Shinkansen network is still wildly fast and covers the whole country. If you plan on hopping between the regions, buying a JR pass before you arrive is still one of the smartest Japan travel tips to save time and money.

Source: Wikipedia Vietnam 

2. Over 70% of Japan is hidden mountain wilderness 

When you watch travel vlogs, it feels like Japan is just one massive, interconnected mega-city. However, step outside the concrete maze of Tokyo or Osaka, and you will quickly realize that the skyscrapers are just tiny islands in a vast ocean of green. 

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About 70% of Japan is actually mountainous and densely forested. The country’s volcanic geography means that vast stretches of land are completely untamed, packed with ancient cedar trees, hidden waterfalls, and wild brown bears. 

Source: Pexels, Wikipedia Vietnam 

To experience these unique things about Japan, try not to get trapped in the standard - the Golden Route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka) for your entire trip. Dedicate at least three days to exploring Japan’s wild side. Go trekking through the primeval forests of Yakushima, soak in a natural alpine hot spring (onsen) in Hakone, or wander through the fairy-tale, thatched-roof villages of Shirakawa.

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3. Japanese Buddhist monks can marry, eat meat, and even... run bars

If you’ve travelled in Southeast Asia, you’re probably used to the image of Buddhist monks living highly ascetic, quiet lives of renunciation. In Japan, things look different. While Buddhism is massive here, with over 70,000 temples nationwide, the way it is practiced reveals some of the most unique things about Japan. Thanks to historical decrees during the Meiji era, Japanese Buddhist priests are legally allowed to marry, have families, eat meat, and drink alcohol. In fact, running a temple is often treated like a respected family business passed down to many generations.

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Don’t be surprised if you stumble across a “Monk Bar” in Tokyo, where actual ordained priests mix cocktails while listening to your life problems and offering spiritual advice.

 

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To experience this fascinating culture firsthand, skip the crowded daytime temple tours and book a Shukubo (temple lodging), specifically in the mountain town of Mount Koya. You will sleep in traditional tatami rooms, eat exquisite multi-course vegan Buddhist cuisine (Shojin Ryon), and sit shoulder to shoulder with the monks during their mesmerizing morning fire rituals. 

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4. The number four is extremely unlucky in Japanese culture 

As you explore Japan, you might notice something eerie when you step into an elevator in a hospital or an apartment building: the 4th floor is completely missing. This is not a random architectural glitch; it is a cultural phenomenon known as tetraphobia. In the Japanese language, the word for the number four is " shi, which happens to sound exactly like the Japanese word for Death. Because of this grim linguistic coincidence, the number four is considered profoundly unlucky. 

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When it comes to essential Japan travel tips, keep this in mind when buying souvenirs or gifts for local friends or hosts. Never gift items in sets of four (like a pack of four ceramic cups), as it is essentially seen as wishing bad luck, or worse, mortality, upon the recipient.

5. Tokyo houses the largest wholesale fish market on Earth 

It’s no secret that seafood is a massive part of daily life in Japan, but the sheer scale of it is hard to comprehend until you see it under one roof. Tokyo’s Toyosu Market holds the undisputed crown as the largest wholesale fish market on the planet, making it one of the most mandatory stops when figuring out what to know before traveling to Japan for a food-focused trip.

Source: Wikipedia Vietnam 

This is the high-stakes arena where massive, frozen Pacific bluefin tunas are laid out daily for legendary, fast-paced auctions. Some of these prized fish fetch upward of 1-3 million USD for a single fish.

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While the high-tech indoor auctions at Toyosu require early registration, the best experience for foodies is actually walking over to the historic Tsukiji Outer Market. It is a bustling open-air maze where you can graze on street-food-style fresh uni (sea urchin), sweet tamagoyaki (rolled omelets), and some of the freshest, melt-in-your-mouth sushi breakfast slots you will ever experience.

Source: Pexels 

6. Kit Kat: The Japanese Lucky Charm 

If you walk into any Japanese convenience store (konbini), you'll find an entire aisle dedicated to Kit Kats. But they aren't just a casual chocolate snack here; they are a national obsession and one of those truly unique things about Japan.

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The phenomenon comes down to clever branding and linguistics. The name “Kit Kat” sounds remarkably similar to the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu”, which translates to “You will surely succeed!” Over the decades, it became a tradition for parents and friends to gift Kit Kat to students right before high-stakes university entrance exams to wish them success. 

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Due to this cultural status, Nestle has created 300 unique, hyper-local flavors exclusive to Japan.

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Hunting down wild regional variations like Wasabi, Tokyo Banana, Uji Matcha, or Japanese Sake at local Don Quijote discount stores is one of the best things for souvenir shopping in Japan. 

7. A crispy holiday tradition: Eating KFC on Christmas 

Only about 1% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian, meaning Christmas has never been celebrated as a major religious holiday in Japan. Instead, it’s treated more like a commercial, romantic holiday, and the ultimate meal of choice is a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, which easily ranks high among the most surprising facts about Japan.

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This bizarre tradition dates back to a wildly successful 1974 marketing campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas" (Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii). The campaign pitched KFC as the definitive Western holiday meal to foreign expats and locals alike. It caught on like wildfire. Today, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate December 25th with Colonel Sanders.

Source: CNN

If you happen to be traveling through Japan during the holiday season and find yourself craving a taste of home, here is crucial advice on what to know before traveling to Japan in winter: don't expect to just walk up to the counter. People order their special Christmas Party Buckets months in advance. If you don't pre-order, you'll be stuck waiting in lines that wrap around the block in the freezing December weather!

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Japan is a beautiful contradiction. It’s a place where 600 km/h floating trains slice through valleys managed by married Buddhist monks, and where a global chocolate bar functions as a legitimate spiritual blessing. It’s exactly these strange, wonderful, and beautiful quirks that make exploring the country feel like an endless adventure.