Fun Facts - JapanUp! magazine

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Why Are There Thousands of Wooden Boards at Japanese Shrines? (The “Ema” Wishes)

japanup_akane 03/06/2026

The Wall of DreamsWhen you visit a Shinto shrine in Japan, you will inevitably find a large wooden rack overflowing with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of small wooden plaques. Some have beautiful paintings of animals, while others are covered in handwritten text. What is an “Ema”?These wooden plaques are called “Ema” (which translates to “Picture Horse”). In ancient times, wealthy people would donate living, real horses to the gods when making a wish. Because normal people couldn’t afford a horse, they started offering wooden boards with a picture of a horse instead. Write Anything You Want!Today, you can buy an Ema…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN

Why Do Japanese People Put Ice Cubes in Their Noodles? (The Summer Survival Food)

japanup_akane 03/06/2026

Hot Weather, Cold Food In many Western countries, noodles like pasta or chicken noodle soup are always served piping hot. But Japan has brutally hot and humid summers. To survive the heat, Japanese people do something brilliant: they eat their noodles ice cold! Somen (The Ice Water Noodles) The ultimate summer food is “Somen.” These are incredibly thin white wheat noodles. Families boil them for just two minutes, then cool them down and serve them in a large glass bowl filled with cold water and floating ice cubes! You dip them into a savory, cold soy-sauce broth before eating. Hiyashi…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

The Deadly Mistake Tourists Make When Wearing a Kimono (Left or Right?)

japanup_akane 03/05/2026

The Tourist TrapRenting a beautiful Kimono or Yukata to walk around Kyoto is a dream for many tourists. Sometimes, tourists buy a cheap Yukata and try to put it on themselves in their hotel room. But beware: if you fold the fabric the wrong way, you might horrify the locals! The Curse of “Left-Over-Right”When wrapping the kimono around your body, you must ALWAYS bring the left side over the right side (so you can slip your right hand into the fold). If you do it the opposite way—bringing the right side over the left—you have just dressed yourself as a…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN

Why Does a Melon Cost $100 in Japan? (The Luxury Fruit Market)

japanup_akane 03/05/2026

The $100 Price TagForeigners are often shocked when they visit a Japanese supermarket. Fruits are generally more expensive than in the US. But if you visit a high-end department store, you will see something unbelievable: a single peach for $30, a bunch of grapes for $50, or a perfect green melon for $100! Jewelry, Not GroceriesWhy are they so expensive? In Japan, these top-tier fruits are not considered “daily groceries.” They are treated like jewelry. They are grown specifically to be given as luxury gifts for special occasions like weddings, hospital visits, or thanking important business clients. The “One Tree,…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Why Are People Drinking Coffee with Capybaras? (The Wild Animal Cafes)

japanup_akane 03/05/2026

More Than Just CatsYou have probably heard of “Cat Cafes” where you can sip a latte while petting a fluffy kitten. Japan popularized this trend. But today, cats are just the beginning. Walking through Tokyo, you can find cafes filled with owls, micro-pigs, hedgehogs, and even giant capybaras! The Concrete Jungle CureWhy are these animal cafes so popular in Japan? It is because of the housing situation. Most people in cities live in small apartments where pets are strictly forbidden. These cafes provide stressed-out workers and students a rare chance to interact with animals and experience “Iyashi” (healing). Welcome to…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN

Why Are There 100 Types of Soy Sauce in Japan? (The Secret Condiment World)

japanup_akane 03/05/2026

Around March 3rd, visit a Japanese home with a daughter, and you will see a spectacular display. A 7-tiered red platform filled with elaborate dolls dressed in ancient court kimonos. This is “Hina Matsuri” (Girls’ Day). It is a day to pray for the health and happiness of young girls.

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

What Does the Japanese New Year Taste Like? (The “Ozoni” Divide)

japanup_akane 03/04/2026

The New Year SoupIn the US, people celebrate the New Year with champagne. In Japan, the ultimate New Year’s dish is a warm, comforting bowl of soup called “Ozoni.” Eating this soup on January 1st is a nationwide tradition to pray for a healthy and safe year. The Core IngredientThe star of Ozoni is always Mochi (rice cake), which stretches beautifully when you bite into it. However, if you ask two Japanese people what Ozoni looks and tastes like, they might give you completely different answers! Tokyo vs. Osaka (The Great Divide)There is a massive cultural divide between the Kanto…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Is It Art or Dessert? (The Edible Beauty of “Nerikiri”)

japanup_akane 03/04/2026

Not Just Cake and CreamWhen you think of sweets, you usually picture cakes, chocolate, or ice cream. Traditional Japanese sweets, called “Wagashi,” are entirely different. They use no butter or cream. The most premium and beautiful type of Wagashi is called “Nerikiri.” Sculpting with Bean PasteNerikiri is made by kneading soft, sweetened white bean paste (Shiro-an) with soft Mochi dough. Because it is like edible clay, master artisans can sculpt it into breathtakingly detailed shapes using tiny wooden tools and their bare hands. Eating the SeasonsThe designs strictly reflect the 4 seasons. In spring, Nerikiri is shaped like delicate pink…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN

What Can You Buy With 10 Cents in Japan? (The “Dagashi” Culture)

japanup_akane 03/04/2026

The Pocket Money ParadiseIf a Japanese child has 100 yen (about 70 cents) in their pocket, they don’t go to a fancy bakery. They go to a “Dagashi-ya” (a retro penny-candy store). Dagashi translates to “cheap sweets,” and it is the ultimate childhood paradise. Cheap and ChaoticUnlike regular snacks in supermarkets, Dagashi are specifically designed for kids. They cost anywhere from 10 yen to 50 yen. The packaging is incredibly colorful, featuring retro cartoon characters, and the flavors are wild—from sweet chocolate to savory “grilled squid” flavor! Playing with FoodDagashi is highly interactive. There are candies shaped like cigarettes, powders…

FOOD Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN

How Do Japanese People Upgrade Plain Rice?(The Magic of “Takikomi Gohan”)

japanup_akane 03/04/2026

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Did You Know Japan Tried Daylight Saving Time? (The 4-Year Experiment)

japanup_akane 03/03/2026

The Plot TwistWhile Japan currently enjoys the peace of not changing its clocks, there is a surprising historical plot twist: Japan actually did have Daylight Saving Time… but it only lasted for exactly four years! The GHQ EraAfter World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Forces (GHQ), led by the US. In 1948, the GHQ introduced the “Summer Time Act” to Japan, hoping to save energy and align the country with Western daylight standards. The Workaholic TrapIIn the US, an extra hour of daylight means going home early to enjoy a BBQ or play baseball. But in Japan,…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Why Doesn’t Japan Change Its Clocks? (The “No Daylight Saving Time” Rule)

japanup_akane 03/03/2026

The Spring Forward StruggleIn the US, March means one thing: “Spring Forward.” Everyone loses an hour of sleep, clocks in cars show the wrong time for six months, and people feel jet-lagged for a week. It is a stressful tradition. But if you live in Japan, you are completely free from this! The Bliss of ConsistencyJapan does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST) or “Summer Time.” The time in Tokyo in January is exactly the same as the time in Tokyo in July. For travelers and international businesses, this consistency is incredibly convenient. No Missed TrainsImagine if Japan had DST.…