Are you planning on taking a trip[ to Japan? If so, Tokyo should be on your list of "do not miss" cities to visit. Ranked among the busiest commercial towns in the world, Tokyo was previously referred to as Edo before its name was changed back in 1867. Located in the heart of Japan and one of the prefectures of the country, this city is a top tourist destination for many reasons.
Tokyo’s mainland is located in the northwest of Tokyo Bay and is surrounded by the borders of Chiba Prefecture on the east, Saitama on the north and Yamanashi on the west. Tokyo is full of international industries, skyscrapers, extravagant lounges and bars, and shopping arcades. Despite all the modern developments happening in the city, it still honors its tradition in the form of museums, shrines, and ryokans.
Interesting Facts You Should Know About Tokyo City
10. It's Normal to Eat Raw Horse Meat
Have you ever imagined eating raw horse meat? In Japan, this is a normal thing. The meat is referred to as basashi and is considered to be a delicacy that is popular in most of the restaurants not only in Tokyo but several restaurants around the country. It is not a recent fad which has either been popularized by an innovative chef or a celebrity; it has been in practice for several decades.
9. Up to 1500 Earthquakes Hit Japan Every Year
Although Japan is known to be a beautiful country, it is quite deadly, not due to the high crime rate but because it is one of the areas prone to earthquake. Japan is said to experience up to 1,500 earthquakes in a year. However, most of these shocks are just tremors and do not cause significant destructions. There are times when the country experiences devastating earthquakes which destroy billions of dollars in properties and causes the death of thousands of people.
8. Home to Some of the Worlds Craziest Vending Machines
You will never fail to get a vending machine in any of the streets in Tokyo. There are over 5 million vending machines selling items like sodas, chocolates, gums, chips, and candies.
7. It is Normal to Surp When Eating Noodles or Soup
People are always required to take their food without making unnecessary noise, especially in the western world. Producing sounds like slurping whenever you are eating noodles or soup is still considered rude and inappropriate. In Japan, this is a complete opposite! Slurping is usual in public. Most people in Japan encourage it.
6. Baseball is Very Popular
Although sumo is Japans national sport, the ball is the most loved sport. Referred to as Yakyu in Japanese, Horace Wilson, an American teacher, first introduced it. Currently, Japan has two baseball leagues, the Central League and the Pacific League. This game is also played in high schools and universities throughout the country.
5. High Suicide Rate
Known to be a wealthy country, Japan is also home to hardworking, highly innovative, successful and disciplined people. However, one fact most people do not know concerning Tokyo, Japan is that suicide rate is very high. For instance, 30,000 Japanese men and women commit suicide every year. It is one primary cause of death.
4. Japanese People Use Same Water for Bathing
For the Japenese families, taking a bath is not all about cleaning their body. It is also considered to be a way of relaxing body, mind and spirit. It explains why most of them take hot baths and go to hot springs regularly. However, the Japanese families are also known to use the same water for bathing though they never take a bath at the same time. The father will always shower first, followed by the mother and then the kids.
Although most of the Japanese homes have bathtubs, they usually use them for soaking and not cleansing. It means they clean, soap and scrubs their bodies outside the baths by use of a wash bowl. After cleaning and rinsing themselves, they will enter the tub to soak their bodies.
3. Most of the Streets Do not Have Names
Most of the streets in Tokyo do not have names. How do they then locate specific locations when the roads are nameless? They usually make use of a weird style of the addressing system which uses blocks numbers. The blocks in Tokyo city are typically given different figures which act as an address. However, most of the people from western countries claim this address system is confusing and inefficient.
2. Adoption of Males is Common in Japan
In most cases, couples from the west of nations will always adopt babies or young kids for different reasons such as companionship or infertility. However, this is not the case in Japan. Here, it is different. Many Japanese families especially the wealthy ones do adopt fully grown men. There are two main reasons why adult male adoption is widespread and a routine in this place. First, the males are usually adopted for the sake of continuity of the family’s name. Just like other countries around the world, it is a patriarchal society! The family names are always passed through the adopted male children.
Secondly, people are known to adopt male children for business purposes. It is a common reason among most of the Japanese families who have huge firms.
1. It is a Kinky Sex Land
Japanese people are very open-minded when it comes to sex. Acts or behaviors considered taboo in the western nations are practiced and accepted by people here. For example, the hentai animes and mangas which depicts intercourse between monsters, humans, and tentacles. Hentai is readily available in bookstores and other stores throughout Tokyo city.
Apart from Hentai, the Japanese population also came up with other kinky stuff such as Nyotaimori meaning eating sushi which is served on a woman's naked body. There is also the Bukakke, tsubashanpu, and unagi.
Points of Interest During Your Travel to Tokyo
10. Tokyo Imperial Palace
It is where the imperial family of Japan lives. It is situated at the former Edo Castle site. Visitors are only allowed to the inner grounds of the palace on the 2nd January and 23rd December. During the 23rd December, people celebrate the Emperor's birthday while the New Year greetings are conducted on the 2nd of January.
Tourists get the opportunity of seeing the imperial family members during these two events since they only make public appearances on the balcony. The palace also acts as a museum for showcasing the history and art of the Japenese people together with their administration style. The attractive Japanese gardens surround the castle.
9. Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple was constructed in the year 798. It is considered to be among the most popular temples found in the city. The veranda of this temple is supported by high wooden columns which measure 12 meters in height. This temple is in harmony with nature thanks to the indoor waterfall which is fed from the outside rivers. The residents used to stand at the edge of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple to have their wish granted. However, this exposed them to very high risks with approximately 85 % of locals coming out alive. In the present day, most of the visitors are known to enjoy the shrines, artwork, and talismans that are displayed without risking their lives. There are several landmarks and waterfalls on the ground of this temple.
8. The Great Buddha of Kamakura
It is a monumental bronze that acts as Amida Buddha statue. Amida Buddha is known to be among the most well-known Buddhist figures found in Japan. It is the second largest Buddha in Japan. According to researchers, this monument dates back to 1252 and weighs 93 tons and measures 13.35 in height. It stands in the open air after the original temple was washed away by tsunami in the fifteenth century.
7.Jigokudani Monkey Park
Are you interested in seeing wild monkeys taking a bath in a natural hot spring during your visit to Tokyo city? Then attempt visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park. This park contains a human-made pool situated near the entrance of the park that attracts several monkeys. It was previously known as the Hell Valley by the ancient people due to its thick cliffs and the steam that comes from many springs.
Jigokudani Monkey Park is covered by snow most of the time during the year despite the monkeys comfortably inhibiting it. Most of the wild Japanese macaque do spend most of their time here.
6. The Himeji Castle
This castle is considered to be among the best existing Japanese castle structures. Located in the center of Himeji city, one will take up to four hours from Tokyo city to get to this castle when traveling in a bullet train. The white walls of this castle are covered by white plaster which is fireproof. However, this villa contains an efficient and highly complicated design making it possible to offer defense against enemies during the feudal period. The strength of this castle is portrayed by the fact that it managed to survive the second world war bombings.
5.Hiroshima Peace Memorial
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial was constructed to help remember the people who died during the 1945 bomb blast. Inside this memorial, you will find Genbaku Dome. The Genbaku Dome is the only structure which was left behind after the bomb last. This monument helps in signifying the life of human beings and honors the bomb blast victims.
4.Todaiji Temple
Located in Nara, it is the most significant wooden building in the world. This temple acts as a feat for engineering activities and also hosts the giant Buddha statue in the globe. In case you are wondering where Kegon, the Buddhism school is found, you do not have to look any further since the school is located inside this temple. Wildlife and gardens are the significant environs in this temple. Never get surprised when you come across a deer at Todaiji temple. In this temple, you will also come across several Japanese and Buddhist artifacts that will help explain the history of the temple.
3.Golden Pavilion Temple/ Kinkaku-Ji
The Kinkaku-Ji Temple is ranked among the top tourist attraction centers both in Kyoto and Japan. Constructed in the late fourteenth century, Kinkaku-Ji was initially meant to be Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu retirement villa. However, it was burnt down by a small monk back in 1950 which saw the Japanese government come in and rebuild it after five years. The new pavilion was similar to the older one. Anyone who has managed to visit this arcade will agree that it is gorgeous. It is covered by gold leaf portraying the reflection of the pavilion in the pond. It is a very calm and beautiful place to visit whenever you are touring Tokyo city.
2.Tokyo Tower
The Tokyo Tower is a great tourist attraction capable of attracting a high number of people since it displays advanced technology and modern life. It is ranked the second tallest building that has been constructed by a human being in Japan. Most people visiting Tokyo city use Tokyo Tower as an observation point and a communication tower. In case you are interested in going to the restaurants and shops together with the unparalleled Tokyo views, you need to make an effort of climbing to the top of this tower.
1. Mount Fuji
Do you love climbing mountains? Then you need to make an effort of visiting Mount Fuji during your Vacation in Tokyo. This mountain measures 3776 meters with its volcano having a symmetrical cone where most Japanese use in arts and photographs. This mountain is also known to attract a high number of visitors every year. Recent researches reveal 200,000 visitors tours this hill every year with 25% of them being international visitors. It will take you three to eight hours to climb this mountain and between two to five hours to descend.