Japanese culture: Things you did not know

The traditional cuisine of Japan (和食 washoku) is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes

Japan’s national sport is sumo

The literacy rate of Japan is one of the highest in the world, at almost 100%

Japan is crazy about vending machines

Sushi is Japan’s biggest cultural export

Basashi is widely popular (horse meat), it is cut thin and eaten raw

One of the more dangerous types of seafood served in Japan is blowfish, or fugu.

Japan has the second lowest homicide rate in the world, behind only Iceland

Japan has produced 18 Nobel Prize winners, coming from the worlds of chemistry, medicine, and physics.

Japan’s animation accounts for 60% of the world’s animation

The concept of losing face, or being embarrassed, is a very important concept in Japan

About 23% of Japanese people are over the age of 65

Traditional form of greeting is a bow, with how far you bow being relative to the respect shown to the recipient.

Chopstick use is important and comes with its own set of rules

Young Japanese are increasingly interested in uneven or “snaggle” teeth known in Japanese as “yaeba”

Noodles, especially soba (buckwheat), are slurped somewhat loudly when eaten. Indicates the food is delicious-way to give compliments to the chef.

Sticking your finger in someone's butt is a pretty normal thing to do. It is known as “kancho”

The term karaoke means "empty orchestra" in Japanese.

In ancient Japan, women blackened their teeth with dye as white teeth were considered ugly.

Falling asleep at work is a good thing. This is a sign that you are working long hours

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