The Things You Didn't Know About Japan

Located west of the Pacific Ocean in the Northern hemisphere, Japan is a sovereign island country in East Asia. "Japan" means "sun origin", and is often called the "Land of the Rising Sun". Tokyo is the capital of the country, and it contains approximately 10% of Japan's population. Japan's official language is Japanese. The Japanese national flag is known as Nisshoki, and the national anthem, Kimi ga Yo. The form of government practiced in Japan is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The main religions in Japan are Shintoism, Buddhism and Christianity. The Japanese currency is the Yen. Listed below are some amazing facts you may not know about Japan.

1. Japan has the highest density of vending machines in the world. In Japan, there is approximately 1 vending machine for every 23 people. You can buy almost anything from these machines - from fresh eggs, fruits, vegetables, to liquor, and underwear.

2. The Aokigahara forest dubbed "Suicide Forest" in Japan is the world's second most popular place to commit suicide, after the Golden Gate Bridge. Aokigahara forest sits at the foot of Mount Fuji. The forest is so coveted by depressed, suicidal people that a plea has been put up at the forest urging people to choose life over death. It reads, "Your life is a precious gift from your parents. Please think about your parents, siblings and children. Don't keep it to yourself. Talk about your troubles."

3. Japan has the highest rate of centenarians in the world. 67,824 out of 127 million Japanese are over the age of 100.

4. Bathing is a special ritual in Japan. The Japanese believe a bathtub is a place where fatigue is meant to be washed off. Most Japanese homes have separate rooms for the toilet and bathtub. The room with the bathtub is what they actually call the bathroom. Before getting soaked in the bathtub, people are required to shower - washing hair and body. Japanese families traditionally use the same water for bathing. Turn after turn, all members of the family soak themselves in the same water. The father goes first, then the mother, and lastly the children.

5. According to a report by the World Health Organization in 2015, Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world - an average of 83.7 years for both sexes.

6. Japan is among the top five countries with the lowest homicide rates in the world. Tokyo is considered to be the safest city in the world in terms of crime, and Osaka, third. Japan's homicide rate is 15 times less that of the United States despite Japan being thrice the size of the United States.

7. Japan has the most punctual railway system in the world. The average delay on the Tokaido Shinkansen in 2012 was only 0.6 minutes. When trains delay for up to five minutes, the conductor apologizes and the railway company sometimes provides a "delay certificate" as passenger may need to justify their late coming at work.

8. Japan has more registered pets than it has children. In 2014, Japan had a total of 21.3 million registered pets as opposed to 16.5 million children under the age of 15.

9. Raw horse meat, known as sakura (for its pink color), is a popular delicacy in Japan. When served in thin slices dipped in soy sauce, it is called sashimi. When ginger and onions are served alongside the horse meat dipped in soy, it is called basashi.

10. Japan is made up of more 6,853 islands, of which 430 are inhabited. Japan is ranked among the top ten countries with the most islands.

11. Kobe beef from Tajima-gyu cattle raised in Japan, is the most expensive beef in the world and is renowned for its tenderness, superior flavor and high amount of intramuscular fat. It is healthier than commercial beef because of its high concentration of omega-3s and monounsaturated fats. Kobe beef are given special treatment - daily massages (sometimes with Japanese rice wine), classical music is played to them during eating time to improve their appetite, and at other times for relaxation. 1 pound (450 grams) of kobe beef is sold at about $300 in Japan.

12. As of 2016, Japan has the lowest birth rate in the world, with just 8 births per thousand people. Adult diapers record higher sales than baby diapers in Japan.