Guest Post: 5 Strange and Beautiful Facts About Japan

Pretty lamp with Japanese painting, Meijimura

Japan’s one of the world’s largest economies, but it’s also one of the most remote. Did you know that of the 127 million people in Japan, only two percent are foreign immigrants?

If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Japan in the not-too-distant future, here are a few fun facts to tickle your fancy.

Napping on the Job Is Perfectly Normal

 In most parts of the world, napping on the job would be an immediate cause for termination. Not in Japan! Japanese culture sees napping on the job as a proof of an employee’s commitment and thoroughness. The practice is referred to as “inemuri”, and is perfectly acceptable in Japan.

A few rules do apply: you need to remain upright while napping and only people in specific positions within the company are allowed to nap. Some people actually fake sleeping to show their bosses how hard they’re working.

Meiji Mura: Where History and Nature Meets

Replica of Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura

It was a holiday last Tuesday. It was Culture Day and it was very apt to visit a very "cultural" place called Meiji Mura.

Meiji Mura is a historical theme park in Aichi Prefecture. It's located in Inuyama, a place outside of Nagoya. It shows how Japan looks like a hundred years ago.

Halloween Craze in Japan

I've been dealing with fatigue lately, it's hard to find the strength to write. I went to the doctor and he prescribed some pills for iron deficiency. It must also be seasonal fatigue brought by the autumn climate. Anyway, I'm just explaining why I haven't written lately. Also, this information might help you if you're feeling tired all the time. 

I just finished my classes with a Halloween-themed lesson. My Japanese teachers asked me to do it. They want the students to be more familiar with Western celebrations. However, the students don't really need a lesson on Halloween. They already know the traditional scary characters, the costume parties and the trick or treats. The younger Japanese generation are all too familiar with Halloween.

You see Japan has perhaps the longest Halloween celebration. Since August, stores have been peppered with Halloween decorations. Halloween goods have been displayed in almost every mall I've been to. Even the seasonal pumpkin pudding I like has been available since summer. With only a day to go before Halloween, commercializing this event has come full force. When I visited Tokyo last week, each Ward has an advertised Halloween party particularly in the areas of Roppongi, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ueno. Even in Hamamatsu, the main station is full of Halloween-related displays. 

So, why is Japan so in love with Halloween?