Explore Japan: Interesting Facts About This Eastern Country
Since Japan is positioned in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it’s not unusual for its residents to feel frequent ground tremors. In fact, a fifth of the major earthquakes- those that register at least a 6 on the Richter Scale- that happen in the world, occur in Japan. This country sometimes gets a “one-two” punch when a major earthquake happens. Because, tsunamis, which are destructive sea waves, sometimes follow an earthquake.
This hilly Far Eastern country has an area of 377,835 square kilometers. It’s about the size of Germany and Switzerland put together. If you want to visit the highest peak in Japan, you’ll need to climb up Mount Fuji. It’s 3,776 meters high. Or, if you want to explore the lowest depths of this country, the Hachinohe Mine is 130 meters below sea level.
Japan was once known for its powerful Samurai fighters. These warriors were masters in the field of martial arts. Because of their superior fighting abilities, the Samurai once controlled Japan. Today, however, the Samurai sector no longer exists in this country.
The residents of Japan have their own list of holidays that they celebrate. Some of these include the Coming Age of Day on the second Monday in January; the National Foundation Day on February 11; Greenery Day on April 29, Children’s Day on May 5, Respect for the Aged Day on the third Monday in September, and The
Emperor’s Birthday on December 23.
Celebrations are a public affair in this Far Eastern country. Whenever a wedding is held, for example, the bride and groom can skip sending invitations because everyone in the village attends the happy event.
It’s likewise with funerals. The women of the entire village provide the food, and the residents join together to mourn the passing of the deceased. But don’t cry, blow your nose, or show any type of emotion at these affairs. In fact, you’ll be offensive if you perform any of these acts anywhere in public while you’re in Japan. Take a tip from the staid Japanese around you. Keep a straight face, and don’t show affection, and you’ll be minding your manners.
If you attend a Japanese wedding or other event, be sure you don’t walk into any home or other building with your shoes on! Remove your shoes at the door so you don’t offend your host. While eating a meal in Japan, you’ll need to remember to slurp your soup. If you don’t, your host will think you don’t like what has been served.
And when you handle your chopsticks, never stick them into a bowl of food so they are standing upright. If you do, you’ll again offend your host. It’s an ancient Japanese custom to stick a pair of chopsticks into a bowl of rice. This is their way of offering food to the deceased.
The Japanese people are known for their remarkable longevity. There are an estimated 20,000 Japanese who are one hundred years or older living in the Far Eastern country today. Their longevity is attributed to a diet that’s low in calories and free from artery-clogging cholesterol.
Nearly a fifth of the Japanese population are at least sixty-five years old. When a man reaches his sixtieth birthday in Japan, he is seen as beginning his twilight years on this earth. To honor the event, the man is honored at a ceremony. He alone is clothed with a red kimono. The red color shows that the honored man no longer has adult responsibilities.
