22 Facts about Japan You Didn’t Know (Updated 2024)

Japan is at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list, and for good reason. We have visited Japan on several occasions and always seem to learn something about the country when we are there. Located in East Asia in the Sea of Japan, the archipelago of Japan is an incredible country to visit. Most people already know about the fantastic Japanese cuisine and its role in World War II, but there is so much more to the country that we cover here.

Fun Facts About Japan

Did you know that Japan is known to have the world’s second-highest life expectancy, next to Hong Kong? In 2024, there were 2.31 million Japanese people over the age of 90, with over 71,000 of them being over 100! So, have the Japanese discovered the secret to perpetual life?

Japan is a country with a complex and ancient cultural heritage, yet today, it is one of the most advanced countries in technology and innovation since 1950. Japan’s form of government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The currency used in Japan is the Japanese yen.

Japan gives a great deal of attention to education, and the country is one of the most literate in the world. A distinctive awareness of natural beauty and interest in shape and balance are obvious.

Some of these cool facts about Japan and its habits may surprise you. I know it did that to us. For example, Japan’s national sport, sumo wrestling, has its roots in ancient rituals to entertain deities, and the disciplined lives of sumo wrestlers show how important the sport is. I think we can learn a lot from their way of life. Also, natural hot springs, known as onsen, are a big part of Japanese culture, not just for relaxation and rejuvenation but also for ceremonial purposes in Shintoism and Buddhism.

There is a lot more to Japan than meets the eye, so let’s get into the Facts about Japan that we really found interesting.

1. Japan is Extremely Clean

Streets in Japan are immaculate; even in Tokyo, the capital and a massive megacity, all streets are spotless and litter-free. That being said, how does Japan accomplish this? It’s all about their mindset. The Japanese people very seldom leave trash on the streets. Additionally, volunteers of all ages clean the streets for the simple reason that they want to live in a tidy city.

2. Tokyo is the World’s Most Populated City

The greater Tokyo metropolitan area encompasses three areas and is home to Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Tokyo is…