5 unexpected facts that we did not know about Japan
The Japanese steadfastly honor the traditions of their ancestors, but at the same time they never cease to amaze with their inventions in robotics. Today the country of the rising sun ranks third in the world economy, which is connected with the active work on innovation.
Once you go to Japan, you will not be able to return from there the same. High-speed trains, smart technologies, atypical food and people who are always ready to help – how can you not love this fabulous country of the rising sun? We offer to get acquainted with 5 facts that will help to understand Japan.
Fact 1. Nature and technology are inseparable neighbors.
Japan is a land of contrasts. Modern skyscrapers peacefully coexist with ancient temples, high-speed “Shinkansen” ply among mountain landscapes, and robotic vacuum cleaners clean the house while the owners admire the cherry blossoms in the nearest park.
People in Japan are able to enjoy nature and its variability, protecting many green areas. In honor of the spring flowering of Sakura, the Japanese organize festivals and mass gatherings under the blossoming Tokyo cherries. Mount Fuji-san is a symbol of Japan and the calling card of Honshu Island – attracting crowds of photographers, tourists, climbers and even pilgrims. A park in the city of Nara was home to hand deer. They walk here everywhere and allow themselves to stroke for delicious treats.
These and other famous places can be reached by express train. The monorail, which runs directly from airports, is also popular in Tokyo. The plans of the Japanese geniuses – to create a robotic taxi with artificial intelligence. If you like to walk, the sidewalks with heating will make your walks as comfortable as possible even in winter.
Fact 2. Transportation – comfortable and strictly on schedule.
It is difficult to understand the Japanese transport system at once: various railway companies, each of which has its own train station, a dozen, or even more types of tickets, a lot of transfers and there are no English instructions everywhere. But having studied the guide, you can easily calculate your route.
And if you go on about the adventurism and find the right flights by trial and error, after a couple of days in Japan you will turn from experienced gaijin.
All transport in Japanese cities is very comfortable – there are no exceptions. In the subway there is a toilet, luggage storage, ATMs and even a cafe. Railway trains, most of which belong to Japan Railways, are never late. Many residents who work far from their hometown are used to using this type of transport daily.
Senkansen trains are the fastest in the country. The usual models develop a speed of 300 km / h, but the Japanese were not enough, and they invented a prototype that accelerates to 590 km / h. Despite the fact that the transport on a magnetic cushion is very fast, it is considered safe. For the entire existence of the “train-bullets”, not a single accident happened to them.
Fact 3. Altruism and gratitude for any service.
Every Japanese knows if they helped him in any way, he must be thanked. Response services here are not considered a sign of good tone, but a habit. In Japan, if you were presented with an expensive gift, you do not have to spend your last savings and make an equivalent gesture. Enough to treat the well-wisher dinner.
Locals are so disinterested that they forget about time and that they are busy when someone asks them to help. Even if you turned to a hurrying home office worker with a question about the right way. Even if distracted from the important affairs of the street vendor request to draw a map. You will never be denied help: they will show the way, tell, draw and even lead.
For the Japanese, the most important aspect of life is the family. They are ready to sacrifice their comfort, if only the loved ones were happy: to give the last piece of the cake, to give up the most convenient place, to listen and cheer.
Fact 4. Safety on the streets
Among the Japanese, it is not customary to take someone else’s. The fact that, out of habit, you keep your wallet closer to your heart in a tightly closed purse may surprise a Japanese resident. If a local replaces that you have forgotten an umbrella in a cafe or dropped a large bill, he will surely catch up with you and return the loss. Even in times of earthquakes in the country, a very low percentage of looting. This is because taking things that do not belong to you is embarrassing – even Japanese children know this. The latter, by the way, drive themselves around the city by public transport, including six-year-old kids.
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During corporate events, it is not typical for the Japanese to start fights, even in a drunken state. But drunk servants can be noticed in the morning peacefully sleeping on the benches in the nearby parks.
Fact 5. Unusual flavor combinations.
Those who believe that true gourmets live in Italy are not yet familiar with Japanese cuisine. Habitual food here is famous not only for strange flavor mixes, but also for unusual colors. For example, green chocolate with tea or cucumber carbonated drink.
