Quirky things you can only find in Japan

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Super fast bullet train cleaning -

In just seven minutes, the Shinkansen cleaning crew (pictured) manages to clean and prepare the trains for the following trip. That's fast!

 

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Automatic taxi doors -

Japanese taxi drivers can automatically open the door for passengers to get in. This catches many visitors by surprise!

 

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Themed trains -

In Japan, you will also find really cool themed trains. Pictured is the Genbi Shinkansen, which features installations by a number of artists.

 

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Foothbaths everywhere -

Hot springs are in no short supply in Japan. Free public footbaths, known as ashiyu, can be found in several places.

 

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Nomihodai aka all-you-can-drink -

Nomihodai, which roughly translates to "all-you-can-drink," is a popular cost-effective menu choice for groups.

 

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Drinking in public -

In Japan, you can crack open a beer and drink it on the street, anytime, anywhere.

 

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Purikura -

Purikura are photo booths where people can take pictures and retouch them on the spot. Think of it as a sort of instant Photoshop.

 

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Wet towels -

Wet towels are often found in restaurants and used before meals to clean one's hands before eating. This towel is known as an oshibori.

 

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Staying warm with a kotatsu -

A kotatsu is essentially a table with a blanket, and heating underneath. It goes back many years, but charcoal braziers have now been replaced by electric heaters.

 

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Wearing a mask is common -

While many people did not get familiar with masks until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, wearing a mask in Japan has been socially accepted as normal for many years.

 

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Toilet slippers -

Toilet slippers are for bathroom use only. These can be found in some households, as well as at some traditional restaurants, ryokan inns, and chaya teahouses.

 

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Paid-for human contact -

If you're in need of human touch, head over to Soineya, a café in Tokyo where you can be cuddled while you sleep.

 

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Stay at a love hotel -

Japan's love hotels, aka boutique or fashion hotels, are lavishly decorated and intended for those who value privacy and a unique experience. There are usually two rates: "rest" for a romantic escapade during the day, and "stay" for those looking to spend the night.

 

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Elevator girls -

In Japanese department stores you will find women dressed in uniforms operating the elevators. The tradition dates back to the 1920s.