This article was originally published on Travlerz
Japan is, without a doubt, an extremely fascinating country. Famous for its natural wonders and cherry blossom trees as well as anime, sushi, and some extreme technological innovations, it is undeniable is that Japan is unlike any country in the world, and that's even before we dive into all the weird, otherworldly things they have going on. This country really is different, to say the least—and these next photos will prove it.
A Café With Robot Servers Controlled by the Physically Disabled
Japan is known for taking great care of its citizens....all of their citizens. That is exactly why no one is surprised to find a cafe in Japan that found a way to fill a huge void in the world of paralyzed people. They have replaced all of their waiters and waitresses with robot servers. What's the best part? The robots are controlled by employees who are paralyzed, giving the physically disabled an amazing job opportunity.
Finding a source of income can be a serious challenge for people who have been paralyzed. Now, for those who are looking for work, this cafe in Japan is offering some fantastic options.
Chronicling the Complicated Love Lives of Penguins
Everyone loves penguins. They're cute and lovable and apparently, quite complicated and emotional creatures as the Kyoto Aquarium can attest to. Instead of leaving their guests in the dark to the crazy world of penguin love lives, they have decided to create a flow chart explaining all the different dramas, romantic relationships, and breakups in the penguin world. And it looks like quite a read! Hopefully guests can appreciate the effort that went into making this.
Who would have thought that penguins are so emotionally complicated? They should make an entire soap opera series around this drama.
Those Are Some Perfectly Square Watermelons
Have you ever heard of a square watermelon? What might look like something out of a sci-fi movie is actually a real and common part of life in Japan. There is a company that specifically grows square watermelons. They are grown on the vine in a square box to ensure the perfect shape and size. They claim that it allows for much more convenient shipping, stacking, and refrigerator storage.
It would be interesting to see what the best way to cut one of these square watermelons would be. There is no longer the possibility of smiling watermelon rind faces with the leftover pieces with these.
Just 2 Days to Repair a Massive Sinkhole
Although it may not be surprising to see Japan struggling with massive sinkholes considering how prone the country is to experiencing earthquakes, very few people will not be shocked by how quickly they were able to repair it. It took them an impressive 2 days to fix this enormous sinkhole in Fukuoka City. Certainly a daunting task, this would no doubt takes weeks or months to completely fix in other countries.
How did they even manage to gather all the materials fast enough to get started in just a few days? It's crazy to think that they were able to fix it entirely in such a short amount of time.
Simple Way to Save Water
Taking the whole idea of 2 for 1 to an entirely new level, Japan has created the toilet sink. After using the bathroom you can simply wash your hands on the sink attached to the top of the toilet. The excess water that runs off from your hand washing is then saved and used for the next time the user flushes. This is a perfect way to reuse and eliminate water waste.
Japan has managed to save millions of liters of water every year just by these innovative toilet sinks. The rest of the world should consider adopting them as well!
Friendly Stranger at the Train Station
Imagine you're waiting at the train station. You arrived a little bit early and you have some time to spare. Instead of aimlessly wandering or sitting there impatiently waiting for your train to arrive, a man approaches you and asks you to play two-player Game Boy with him. Why not? You take the extra Game Boy he has and spend the next 30 minutes waiting for the train enjoyably.
Of course there are fun stranger stories like this from all around the world, this is just one of the many from Japan.
Bus Drivers Strike Without Causing the People to Suffer
Unfortunately, oftentimes, employees who go on strike are not only causing their employers to suffer through the pressure and lack of workers, but common folk are also impacted. In Japan, when the bus drivers decided to go on strike, they wanted to prevent life from becoming chaotic for the daily travelers who rely on bus service. Instead of ceasing services altogether, they went on strike by refusing to accept bus fare from the passengers while still continuing their usual daily routes.
This strike idea makes sure that people can still travel as needed while causing the bus companies a huge loss of revenue in addition to high gas costs.
The Man With the Flute and His Matching Dog
The city of Kyoto is known as the cultural heart of Japan. Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and countless palaces and gardens are speckled throughout the city. Although they may not be included in the typical tourism books for the area, this dynamic duo is quite the fixture in the city. This man roams the city with his dog (in perfectly matching outfits) playing the flute to earn a little bit of extra cash.
There's no denying that the dog in the adorable hat is perhaps one of the cutest things a person can see. The man's music is probably wonderful as well, but it's hard to not focus on the cute dog!
A Special Respect for Nature
Most countries of the world have no issue simply bulldozing and destroying nature when it gets in the way of their plans. Trying to build a new shopping mall? Just destroy the entire forest that is "getting in the way". However, Japan has a different method. When a huge and beautiful tree was found in the path of the new road they were trying to build, instead of cutting it down, they chose to relocate it.
In this world, there is little more commendable than saving the life of a tree. Most governments are more than happy to destroy whatever parts of nature are not a part of their plans.
The Museum of the Rock Faces
Children all around the world are famous for finding rocks or leaves or something in nature that looks like a human face. However, it seems like it's not only the kids who are interested in such formations. In Japan, there is an entire museum dedicated to displaying rocks that look like they are human faces. Some of them are cute and funny while others look terrifying and mean. It would be interesting to know how all the rocks got there. Is there a designated human face rock scouter or do people submit their findings?
Are all of these rocks from Japan or can they be a collection from all around the world? Imagine setting up an entire museum just to display these rocks. Do you think they gave each one of the human rocks a name?
When the Farmers Are Also Artists
Raise your hand if you thought that this was a mural or a painting at first glance. Well, to most people's surprise, it is not, but it is a different type of artwork. Some rice farmers in Japan take their farming skills to a new level by planting different species of rice in a specific pattern in order to create this incredible piece of artwork that is only able to be seen from high places. It is not only colorful but also almost unbelievably precise. How was this made from just different rice crops?
This is so incredibly impressive when you think about the amount of planning and work that went into creating and maintaining this beautiful design.
The Oldest Koi Fish in the World
What was born in 1751 and died in 1977? Only Koi Hanako, the oldest koi fish to have ever been recorded. Hanako the koi was born in Japan and lived to the ripe old age of 226. Imagine all the crazy and insane pieces of history this fish had lived through. It must have been a truly tragic day when this elderly fellow passed away. We hope he lived a good life!
Who knew that koi fish could live so long? The average koi fish doesn't make it much past 50 years, but this fellow decided to be the exception.
Underground Train Tracks for the Turtles
Turtles are just one of the many wildlife types that suffer from manmade technology such as trains. The tracks make it almost impossible for them to pass by safely leading to many turtle casualties and train delays. What's the perfect solution to keep the trains running on time while also saving the wildlife? Japan chose to build tunnels underneath the train tracks to give these turtles a way to pass through the area safely.
Hopefully, this useful little tunnel can be used for other animals as well, keeping many different types of small wildlife safe from the fast-moving and dangerous trains.
The Telephone of the Wind
In Northeastern Japan, in a place called Otsuchi Town, there is a very special and unique structure. There is a beautifully decorated phone booth that was set up at the top of a hill overlooking the ocean called "The Telephone of the Wind". It is not connected to any location, but people are still able to use it to "call" out. Japanese come from all over to "call" their family members who were lost during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
What a beautiful way to commemorate and help bring closure to families who are still suffering and grieving the devasting losses.
Memorial to the 400 Year Old Bonsai Tree
Bonsai trees are famous for living a very long time, with them easily living past 100 years. This Bonsai (although young compared to some) at around 400 years old, must have seen some insane things in its lifetime. From dynasties rising and collapsing to world wars, if this tree could talk it would certainly have some stories to tell. Perhaps the most shocking of all is that it is one of the few to survive the bombing of Hiroshima.
The bombing of Hiroshima left almost complete devastation to the human and plant life of the entire area. Somehow though, this tree managed to survive it all.
That's Some Luxurious Hospital Food
All around the world hospital food is known for being practically inedible. Although there are certainly some exceptions, it is infamous for being unhealthy, overly packaged, and very untasty. This doesn't seem to be the case in Japan. Their hospital food actually seems to be a bit on the luxurious side boasting fresh veggies, homemade pastries, and sushi. At least people in Japan don't need to dread hospital visits more than people already do.
It even looks like they offer shrimp as one of the meal options! Maybe it is less of a luxury in Japan as is it in the rest of the world.
The Right Way to Prune a Tree
Deforestation is a growing problem all around the entire world. The Amazon is being destroyed and mankind is cutting down trees faster than they can regrow them. Luckily the Japanese seem to have a solution. There is a very old and well-established pruning method (dating back to the 14th century) that enables lumber production while also preserving the trees. It is called “Daisugi” and it prevents the tree from being cut down altogether.
Considering there is such a large worldwide focus on the necessity to preserve trees, it's surprising that this method is not more widely known and used everywhere.
A Stop to Enjoy the Scenery
Taking a train can be a pretty boring event. Sometimes the scenery is quite dull and boring and people can be loud and obnoxious. What could make the experience a little bit better? There are some train stops in Japan that don't have a station or entries or exits. It is simply a stop along the journey for passengers to get out for a moment, stretch their legs, and appreciate the beautiful view.
They really took the whole "stop and smell the roses" thing to a whole new level. Stop the whole train and give everyone the chance to smell the roses of a beautiful view.
A Scenic Train Ride
Do you ever wonder why more trains don't have the option of seats that give passengers a view of the scenery? Of course, it takes up a lot more room, but maybe it would be worth it to give people a happier view on their journey. Japan however does offer some scenic train rides that give passengers the option of sitting and looking out at nature as they pass.
It must also be very nice to not have to worry about getting dizzy looking in the opposite direction of the movement of the train.
The Most Private Restaurant Experience
One of the things introverts dread more than anything else is social events like going out to dinner. All the eyes watching them as they order and eat can be extremely overwhelming and stressful. This restaurant chain in Japan offers their dream come true. They can sit in a totally private corner booth where no one can see them, a door opens in front of them, a chef drops off their food, and they are left to eat alone in peace.
Although there is just one chain of restaurants that offers this interesting anonymity, it is still a nice option to have for the introverts out there.
Color Coordinated Luggage Organization
There is nothing worse than waiting for your luggage and watching it go round and round the conveyor belt unable to identify which one is yours. The crew at this airport in Japan that handles baggage seemed to get a little creative. They color coordinated all the luggage that came off of the flight to make it easy for everyone to identify their own pieces.
Whether this was just some workers who were very bored or a daily routine, it is both cute and helpful to all the travelers involved.
Easy and Built-In Gum Disposal
Everyone has struggled with the problem of what to do with a chewed-up piece of gum that needs to be disposed of. If you look at bus seats or railings you'll soon understand that most of the world is too lazy to find a trashcan and the chewed-up pieces end up all over the place. What is a simple solution? As Japanese gum companies offer, a little stack of papers to conceal the sticky gum when you are done.
One piece of paper for every piece of gum, it's the simple and perfect solution! You can rest easy knowing that in Japan it is unlikely to step on a piece of gum while walking down the street and struggle to remove it from your shoe.
The Cleanest Place to Experience a Flood
Japan is no stranger to natural disasters. Whether it is an earthquake or a tsunami, unfortunately, they have experienced it all...and often. Luckily for the Japanese, they tend to be a very tidy population of people and although littering still happens, much less than in other parts of the world. The pristinely clean flood waters, lacking debris and trash, are the perfect testament to that.
These waters look almost clean enough to go for a little swim, very much unlike most of the flood waters that are seen in other parts of the world.
Salt Water Sprinklers to Keep the Streets From Freezing
Wintertime comes with its challenges and one of the main ones is oftentimes the roads that become covered in ice. Nobody wants to walk or drive on an icy and slippery path and so this ski resort in Japan came up with an ingenious solution. They have small sprinklers (saltwater sprinklers) that ensure the roads don't freeze over for even a minute.
Instead of putting salt on the roads everytime it snows a bit (it is a ski resort so it probably happens often) this is a simple solution to keep the area safe at all times.
Uniforms Everywhere
One thing many people might already know about Japan is how common school uniforms are. In fact, it is pretty rare to find any kind of school that does not require a uniform of some kind. This practice originated in the 19th century when Japan became a modern and very militarized country. Think military school, but the culture of uniforms has stayed long past that era even if the military aspect is a thing of the past.
Because everyone in Japan grows up getting used to wearing the same uniform day in and day out, this continues into the workforce where you'll see many jobs requiring uniforms that may not be the norm in other countries.
Constant Clean up Crew
Being taught to clean up after yourself from a young age is certainly a trait that needs to be shared with more children around the world. Fortunately it is very important in Japan as can be seen with these soccer fans cleaning up any trash or mess that they left behind after a match against the Ivory Coast. Even in schools, the children are taught to clean up after themselves as they do not even have cleaners working there.
This kind of behavior should be promoted all around the world and should become the status quo. No one should leave their mess for someone else to clean up.
Nonstandard Public Toilets
Although Japan is known for its advanced toilet technologies, it lags behind much of the rest of the world in public toilet availability. You will never see urinals on the street in Tokyo, the way you might in Europe or even other Asian countries. In fact, a recent public service campaign was run to counter the social stigma against public restrooms. There is now a lot of government spending involved in encouraging the wider acceptance of public bathrooms.
While you may never see this kind of scene in Tokyo or Osaka, steps are being made in the right direction. Japan is notorious among tourists for lacking two major things: trash cans and toilets. At least they're working on one of them.
Women's Only Subway Cars
Since there was tragically a rise in sexual harassment and rape cases in Japan, the government decided to do something to protect the women taking public transportation. Although more emphasis should certainly be put on men to change their behavior, at least they have the option of feeling safe from sexual harassment in a subway car where only women are allowed.
It is really sad that something like this even needs to exist, but at least many women in Japan have the option to travel with more security on their daily commutes.
The Nicest Origami Note
What is better than ordering something from a faraway country? Maybe only if the sender includes an adorable origami bird along with a note saying "Thank you very much for your purchase. If you like the item, please feedback. And if you need anything from Japan, let me know. I'm willing to find them. Have a nice day!" Who wouldn't leave the nicest review for Hiroko?
No matter what the original order was, this is such a sweet and considerate touch from the sender. It makes you want to buy more things from Japan.
Maybe the Smoothest Train in the World
If you have ever had the amazing opportunity of taking the bullet train in Japan, you can confidently say that it was undoubtedly the smoothest ride you have ever been on. It is so smooth that, despite its extremely fast speed, you can keep a coin up on its side as it zooms on its route. There are few other trains in the world that can make such a claim.
It would be interesting to see if the coin could last for the entire train ride. How long would it take before it fell over? It would only take a few seconds on a normal train.
Pets Button on the Elevator
There are always some confusing buttons on an elevator, but this button has almost definitely never been seen anywhere else before. In high-end residential buildings in Tokyo, this button is offered as a "Pets" option. Whenever someone enters the elevator with a pet, they press this button which starts the HEPA filter that purifies the air. It also gives a silent alarm to alert people with allergies to avoid riding in this elevator until the air is totally purified.
This is an amazing feature for people with pet allergies as it gives them a chance to avoid unnecessary suffering by avoiding any contact with small, closed spaces that could trigger their allergies.
The Dreamy Umbrella Covered Walkway
Everyone is familiar with the colorful, umbrella-covered streets that are found all around the world. But as can be expected, Japan one-upped nearly every other similar street in the world. By installing semi-transparent umbrellas in a magical rainbow-like color combination, they have created an oasis of beauty in Moominvalley Park of the Saitama Prefecture in Japan. It's almost like walking through a kaleidoscope.
Who wouldn't want to take a stroll through this beautiful and dream-like walkway? It is both romantic and fun at the same time, bringing out the beautiful and the creative.
Pop Out Train Station Staff
Next time you are at a train station in Japan, don't worry if you are lost or confused or need a little bit of help. There is always someone waiting there to pop out and help you. Literally, they will pop out of the wall and assist you with whatever you need. Although it might be a little alarming at first, at least you'll get the help you need.
It must be a little bit uncomfortable working in those tight quarters for the staff members. Hopefully, it's roomier behind the wall than it seems! But as you've seen in Japan according to this list, it is almost guaranteed that the workers have some great conditions.
Luxury Hospital Food in Japan - Part 2
In case you weren't impressed by the first example of luxurious hospital food in Japan, here is another case. This could very easily pass as a meal from an expensive restaurant. Look at the pancakes with fresh whipped cream. They even put a little garnish on top. And don't forget to appreciate the wood tray that it is served on. Impressive from start to finish.
This would almost make someone want to extend their stay in the hospital. Yummy food, great treatment....what's the rush to head home? They must understand that proper nutrition is the key to improving your health.
Shockingly Pristine Drainage Canals
Who would ever think that the words drainage canals and pristine would ever be used in the same sentence? Only perhaps the residents of the city of Shimabara which is located on Japan’s Kyushu Island. Yes, these drainage canals are really so clean that they house hundreds of koi carp who live there happily, safely, and cleanly all throughout the year. What a beautiful idea to have drainage water this clean!
The drain water used in the koi carp canals is specifically sourced from water used for certain clean items, allowing for continually safe living conditions for the fish.
A Volcano Inside of a Volcano on an Island
It almost sounds like the beginning of an adventure book. Somewhere in the world, there is a small village called Aogashima. It is located inside of a volcano. This volcano encompasses another smaller volcano that lives peacefully inside of it. Oh, and did they mention that all of this is located on an island in the middle of the sea? Although this is undoubtedly a remarkable location, it must be slightly terrifying to live there.
The drone footage of this place is beyond incredible, it must be a complete wonderland when visited as well. It looks almost entirely green and beautiful from the top.
Clever Newspaper Advertisements
Why print on just one side of the newspaper, offering only half of the picture to the viewers? Why not give them the complete experience and print double-sided on the newspaper. That way, when held up to the light, they can see the entire picture. This is not only clever but a great marketing tactic, showing a whole new side of the advertisement when held up to the light.
The picture they chose for the advertisement could not have been a better choice to have viewers hold up to the light. With light shining down the middle and offering a celestial feel, it is the perfect ad.
Bowing Down to Apologize for a Delayed Flight
Almost everyone is aware of Japan's apology culture which features many different and creative methods to bow down to the person they are begging for forgiveness from. Here is a prime example of that culture in action. These employees of Japan Airlines wanted to apologize to all the passengers as their flight was going to be delayed due to a rainstorm. Although the rainstorm is not their fault at all, they still wanted to apologize.
This simple action is such a beautiful example of the pure kindness and warm-heartedness of the Japanese people. It is enough to make anyone want to visit Japan and certainly to fly Japan Airlines.
Relaxation Drinks Instead of Energy Drinks
While the majority of the world may be fixated on energy drinks to get them going late at night or even throughout the day, Japan offers something a little bit different. The "Chill Out" drink has the exact opposite effect and it helps people relax after a long and stressful day. This could really be very useful in other parts of the world as well, especially those with a hectic lifestyle like New York.
It would be interesting to know what is in this relaxation drink. Is it simply alcohol or do the Japanese have some sort of special blend that is even more effective?
The Floating Solar Power Plant
Solar power is a wonderful technology that is sweeping the world and offering sustainable energy alternatives. While some countries struggle to find a place to place the solar panels themselves, Japan has gotten creative. The Yamakura Dam Reservoir is a particularly sunny spot in Japan and so instead of missing an opportunity, they created a way to have their solar panels float right on top of the water, saving and optimizing the space.
Besides being extremely functional, this solar panel is actually pretty cool looking. It doesn't disturb the look of the dam itself and even, arguably, adds to its charm
The Pizza Box With a Handle
Who ever said that you had to suffer while holding the bottom of a piping hot pizza box, also running the risk of it bending out of shape? In Japan, they have decided that it is not necessary to suffer in such a way so they have created a pizza box with a handle. This handle makes carrying individual pizzas much easier and also ensures that they maintain their irreplaceable shape.
The only downside of this handy (pun intended) contraption is that you are not able to stack multiple pizza boxes on top of each other. Although is not always necessary, pizza is something that is often ordered in bulk.
Unmatched Customer Service
When this man ordered some eye drops from Japan, he never expected to receive along with it a handmade note from the vendor along with some Japanese treats. When his package was delayed due to covid-related issues, the vendor felt so bad that he handwrote a sweet note and included his absolute favorite treats from Japan- some tea, and some candies. That's one way to ensure you have loyal customers.
One simple kind act like this gives Japan such an amazing reputation. But from everything this list has shown so far, the Japanese seem to be an overall kindhearted and caring culture.