11 In Japan, you will be amazed to find the stunning rice paddy art displayed on rice fields.

Originating from the town of Inakadate in Aomori, the rice paddy illustrations are natural art displays done on paddy fields between June and October. This trend was first started as a promotional campaign for a brand of rice, which then was adopted by many other towns in Japan. These rice paddy illustrations are made by manually planting different colored strains of rice to form artful pictures when viewed from a height. (source)

12 Japanese cute, themed trains spice up your travel.

In Japan, you can find themed versions of transportation. The themed trains in Japan depict decor, color, and activities taken from a particular cartoon, concept, place, movie, or pop culture. These trains add to your travel fun. The Genbi Shinkansen train in Japan is filled with installations that take inspiration from the surrounding scenery of Niigata. Similarly, the Toreiyu Tsubasa train offers a footbath and viewing window to devour the gorgeous scenery of Yamagata and Fukushima in ultimate comfort. (source)

13 Anime cafes and restaurants are quite a hit amongst the Japanese.

The Japanese love their anime and manga cartoons. You can find Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Doraemon, and other anime character cafes all over Japan. These are inspired by Japan’s favorite franchises. These cafes take the theme inspiration to the next level by offering cleverly designed cakes, drinks, pancakes, ice cream, and other delights imitating the colors and styles of different characters. (source)

14 Two Valentine’s Days are celebrated here.

Japan has got not one but two Valentine’s Days. The second Valentine’s Day complements the original one and falls a month later on March 14. It is also known as the “White Day.” While women give chocolates on February 14, men return the favor on White Day, as a general rule. They also have a tradition of “giri choco,” which means “obligating chocolate,” in which they hand over cheaper chocolates to coworkers and friends on the same day. (source)

15 In Japan, you will find some limited Kit Kat editions, bespoke only to this island country.

The Japanese love their Kit Kats. This delicious chocolate wafer cookie comes in some very unique avatars in Japan. The original ones are coated in milk chocolate in between thin waters, while in Japan, you will find some strange Kit Kat flavors such as sake, wasabi, matcha green tea, and others. (source)

16 The taxis in Japan have automatic taxi doors that close and open on their own.

Taxi drivers in Japan can maneuver the opening and closing of the taxi doors automatically from their driving seat using a remote control panel. This feels like welcome customer service and makes the entire process smoother for ladies carrying tons of shopping bags. This technology was introduced in Japan during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to reduce the need for drivers to constantly step out of their driving seats. You may wonder why not open and close yourself, but this is considered a basic taxi etiquette in Japan. (source)

17 Free tissues are handed out on the streets.

It is normal to be handed a set of free tissues near the streets of major transit hubs in Japan. These tissues usually display a company’s logo and information and are a hospitable form of marketing. But, it also means that you will rarely have to buy tissues in Japan while traveling! Tissues are a basic necessity today and all the more important for people who have been traveling. (1, 2)

18 Otoshi dishes or compulsory appetizers are served in restaurants and are not chargeable.

If you ever dine at a restaurant in Japan, you will be served with “otoshi dishes.” These are pre-meal appetizers that are served compulsorily and are not chargeable. These appetizers can be anything right from pickled vegetables to squid guts or grilled fish. These act as a sort of cover charge along with the appetizers you have ordered. Otoshi dishes bridge the gap between the main meal and appetizers. (source)

19 Cute yuru-kyara or Japanese mascots. can be found all over the country.

“Yuru-kyara” are cute Japanese mascots used to promote tourist attractions, regions, and towns. These are cute and sometimes hilarious and can be found near tourist destinations or big industries. The most famous ones are Domo-Kun and Kuma Mom from Kumamoto Prefecture. (source)

20 Fake display food is commonly used by food companies to make their food look picture perfect.

To take perfection to the next level, the Japanese use fake display food to advertise their food products and make them look picture-perfect. Food models are made from wax, resin, plastic, or other materials. These fake food models are displayed in front of cafes and shops to give the customers ease in ordering a dish rather than reading it from the menu. The visual presentation enables them to know exactly what their order will look like. (source)