Tokyo – The biggest city in Japan and the world:
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Kyoto – An amazing historic city; formally the capital of Japan for many years:
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Osaka- Japan’s (debated) second largest city with over 20 million people:
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Fukuoka – This wonderful city is said to be the “oldest in Japan” because of it’s gateway with China and Korea. It is known for its green spaces along with a great metropolitan setting:
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Japan is a pretty hard country to obtain a visa in; although for exchange students it’s not that difficult. The process is basically like this (exchange organizations usually assist with the full process as well):
However, if you are not an exchange student and wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days the process is a bit more complicated. Japanese immigration is VERY strict. Good luck.
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As you may know, Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. It also has one of the weirdest and most unique cultures (many times a little TOO weird..)
5. Japanese Toilets
Many toilets have a heated and bacteria resistant seat, a water jet spray (with soap), massage options, air conditioning, lighting in the dark, proximity sensor, automatic lid opening/closing, music to help you relax and some even have systems that will analyze your urine and send the information directly to your doctor via wireless Internet.
Yeah.
The buttons seem a little difficult to navigate though.
So if you ever do try one of these, don’t mess around with the buttons or you might just end up having the toilet do things that toilets should not do.
4. Vending Machines
This is an obvious one; Japan is widely known for vending machines and auto-integration. What you probably didn’t know is that vending machines in Japan carry EVERYTHING. From pants, to eggs to cars (not joking.)
Japan has about 1 vending machine for every 23 people in the country.
Beer and hot food!
3. Crazy Bugs
You think everything in here is going to be nice and cute?
A number of people die every year from Japanese hornets. Even though they are supposed to be less aggressive than the average hornet, Japanese hornets are much more deadly. Insects in Japan have a reputation for being eerily bigger than in the US or Europe. On the more common side these include cockroaches and spiders.
2. Japanese Cell Phones
Japan has the most competitive cell phone market in the world. One of the most notable features the phones posses is the ability to use them as a debit/credit card or a train pass. Want to buy a drink from a vending machine? Scan your phone. Instead of using an outdated paper metro card like in New York City; in Japan, you just scan your phone and go. Simple as that.
A cool video:
1. Japanese Trains and Public Transportation
Most people get around by either using a bike, trains or walking. I find this very efficient being born in the US where most people rely on a car every single day. Of course, each option has it’s positives and negatives.
The Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) is one of the best systems in the world.
