Industrialization, high-end technology, high life expectancy, and respectful, goodly-mannered people… are some of the things that come to your mind when you think of Japan. Well, did you know that there are several other fascinating Japanese wonders that most people are unaware of? These spectacles are the sort that would motivate anyone to go on guided Japan tours. Let’s take a peek at 10 of them:
Tokyo: The World’s No. 1 Megacity
Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is the largest megacity in the world. It has a population of over 38 million people, which is the highest number of humans in one urban location. Despite Japan’s declining population, it has one of the highest urbanization rates in the world, with over 93% of its population living in urban areas, and this accounts for the considerable number of megacities it has. If you are a lover of big cities and large crowds, you can hop from megacity to megacity on a train from Tokyo to Osaka.
The Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge
This bridge is one of the most curious bridges in the world. At the time of its completion in 1998, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge. It is also one of the world’s tallest bridges, as its two main supporting pillars stand at a towering 297 metres above the surface of the strait on which it is built.
The most intriguing fact about the bridge is that it was built in a region plagued with seismic instability. Consequently, its two main pillars shifted a metre apart while still under construction during the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. The bridge also expands and contracts habitually, and such length changes can reach an extent of 2 metres in a single day.
Japanese Coffee Culture
Japan is well known for its coffee culture, and it is believed that the first coffee shops in Japan were opened in the late 19th century. Since then, coffee has become an integral part of Japanese culture, with coffee shops scattered throughout cities and towns across the country. The Japanese have a unique way of enjoying coffee, which typically involves a slower, more leisurely approach than in other parts of the world.
Coffee is often served with small snacks and desserts and enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere with friends or colleagues. Japan is also home to some of the world’s best coffee, with a variety of speciality coffee beans from all over the world. The nation has even developed its own style of coffee brewing, known as the siphon brew, which creates a unique flavour and aroma that is distinctively Japanese.
Japanese Hotsprings
Japan is one country with a very high concentration of natural hot springs. These hot springs consist of water heated underground due to volcanic activity before flowing upwards with their varying mineral compositions. They are known as ‘onsen’ in Japan and are popularly used in the resorts constructed around them for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.
With over 27,000 different hot spring sources, Japan is the ideal destination for those who want to dip themselves in wonderous waters.
Boundless Islands
Japan is a much bigger archipelago than many think. With about 6,852 islands, it is the country with the ninth-highest number of islands in the world.
Without undermining your explorative abilities, a quest to visit all the islands in Japan would be a very challenging one for you to accomplish.
Capsule Hotels
This hotel type is a peculiar Japanese innovation for the hospitality industry. It is essentially an economical accommodation option which consists of rows of small, rectangular-shaped pods (capsules) stacked on top of each other, serving as beds for each guest.
Other facilities like bathrooms and lounge areas are shared with other guests. One of the cons of this arrangement is a lack of privacy for guests. However, it is an effective, budget-friendly alternative to traditional hotels.
Forests
Despite being one of the most industrialized countries in the world, Japan still has a large forest cover. 67% of Japan’s entire land area is covered by trees, and this results in friendly, natural environments where numerous animals thrive. You may have never imagined it, but Japan makes a great choice of a place to appreciate nature and interact with vegetation and wildlife.
Active Volcanoes
Due to being located in the area geologically regarded as the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire,’ Japan is a country with high volcanic and seismic activity. The number of active volcanoes in the country is over 100, and many of these volcanoes are constantly monitored by scientists since they are considered to have high eruption potential. Notably, Mount Fuji, which is the tallest mountain in Japan, is also an active volcano.
Japanese Vending Machines
Japanese vending machines are awesome for a variety of reasons. For starters, they are incredibly convenient and can be found everywhere in Japan. They offer a wide variety of snacks, drinks, and even hot meals. Most are open 24/7, so you never have to worry about being hungry or thirsty. Furthermore, most machines have an easy-to-use touchscreen interface and accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards and mobile payments.
Finally, they are incredibly reliable and rarely break down. This means that you can always count on finding a vending machine when you need one. In short, Japanese vending machines are an incredibly convenient and reliable way to get snacks, drinks, and meals at any time of the day.
The World’s Oldest Continually Operating Business
With its headquarters in Osaka, the Kongo Gumi construction company is the oldest continually operating business outfit in the world. Founded in 578 AD, the company has been in the business of constructing temples and shrines for close to 1,445 years. On your next tour to Japan, you can visit one of the long-standing temples built by this everlasting construction outfit.
Now that you know more of Japan’s lesser-known wonders, you would do better by deciding to experience them on a tour of this country of wonders called Japan.
