Have you ever wondered exactly what the Japanese like? What are their passions? What do they do so much? It is a very extensive subject, and there are thousands of different things and tastes to discuss. In this article, we have separated 15 Japanese passions that describe the country and the Japanese people.
Table of Contents
Karaoke
Japan is clearly seen as the country of karaoke; it is rare to find a Japanese person who hasn’t been to a karaoke with friends. This is one of the main Japanese passions spread all over the world.
There are thousands of Karaoke Boxes scattered throughout Japan, in addition to some bars or places that offer the possibility of singing with friends anywhere. Instead of going to bars, why not go to karaoke?
Also read: Karaoke – Origin, curiosities, and popularity
Pachinko (パチンコ)
A game of chance similar to pinball. Unlike Brazilian gambling games, players buy balls to play in the machine, intending to win more balls and exchange them for prizes like stuffed animals. It seems like a children’s game, not to mention the thousands of different machines that exist.
But the police are always watching, as some tend to take their balls to another location and exchange them for money. This market generates about 400 million dollars every year and is quite popular among middle-aged men.
We also recommend reading:
- Pachinko Guide – Betting Machines in Japan
- 20 Gambling Animes, Betting, and Manipulation
Traveling
Although it may not seem like it, the Japanese really enjoy traveling. You can notice the thousands of tourist attractions scattered throughout the country; any city you go to will have something unique and interesting.
Not to mention the enormous ease of getting around the country by train. The Japanese also travel a lot abroad; every year, more than 15 million Japanese travel abroad, with the main destinations being the USA, China, and Korea.
Also read: The 50 Most Popular Tourist Spots in Japan
Masks
Some Japanese are obsessed with cleanliness and germs, making it very common to see people wearing masks in the streets. Many times, the intention is to avoid spreading diseases to others, which is very commendable. The Japanese really seem to be passionate about masks.
Also read: Discover 10 Famous Japanese Masks
Gossip
Those who think that the Japanese are quiet are mistaken. In addition to gossiping in small groups, Japan has a huge gossip media. Thousands of magazines and newspapers are released every week telling the lives of thousands of idols and famous people in Japan.
It can be worse than the tabloids in America and Europe. Even the Japanese alphabet uses kanji of 3 women to represent noise, showing that women talk too much… 女三人寄れば姦しい
Also read: Strange Ideograms that Use the Kanji for Woman [女]
Small Things
Just like the Japanese, they like small things. Small cars, small portions of food, electronics, small bars, small houses, etc. Some may think it’s due to a lack of space, but that’s not quite the case.
Also read: Are Japanese Houses Really Small?
Fish
In Japan, people consume an average of 70kg of fish per year. The global average is only 13 kg. This is not due to a lack of meat, as it is not difficult to find meats in the market.
Fish has become a fundamental part of Japanese culture; almost all recipes include fish or seafood.
Also read: 130 Types of Sushi – Urumaki, Hossomaki, Nigiri
Aesthetics and Appearance
The Japanese care a lot about the aesthetics and appearance of things. This is noted in Japanese arts such as Ikebana, Bonsai, Japanese gardens, calligraphy, and the tea ceremony; everything is linked to aesthetics.
Besides that, we also notice how things in Japan have an eye-catching appearance; even the food is beautiful and organized. The Japanese really love to cook!
We also recommend reading:
- Ikebana – The Japanese Art of Floral Arrangements
- Bonsai – The Japanese Art of Miniature Trees
- Japanese Garden – Guide to Traditional Gardens in Japan
Education and Politeness
It may seem strange, but the Japanese like to say; excuse me, thank you, welcome on thousands of occasions. Any store you enter, you will hear Irasshaimase several times and loudly.
Any little bump, entering a place, or doing something, you will hear, excuse me. Let’s not even talk about arigatou.
We recommend reading: Domo Arigato – 72 Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese
Do Not Waste – Mottainai
Everyone knows that Japan is a clean country; it has a strict waste collection system. But they also have a feeling of regret when they waste something, called Mottainai (もったいない).
The Japanese avoid wasting food and resources as much as possible. One of the ways to avoid waste is that most industrialized products are packaged and sold individually. It is very common to buy bags of cookies with several cookies inside one package.
Also read: Guide to Waste Separation, Collection, and Recycling in Japan
Drinking and Smoking
Sake, the Japanese drink, usually has a low % of alcohol. This does not prevent the country from having a large number of drunks; some salarymen leave work and go straight to drink, and some do this daily. Despite the high rate of drinkers in Japan, accidents rarely happen. Besides that, smoking is common in Japan; about 25% of the population smokes.
Also read: Curiosities about Smoking Cigarettes or Tobacco in Japan
Manga
Manga are very popular in Japan. There is no age limit for liking manga; they are popular among young people and the elderly, men and women.
There are manga on every imaginable theme – sports, romance, animals, games, business, history, fantasy, and crime. People are not ashamed to read manga; it is possible to find people reading on trains and buses, even erotic manga.
Teamwork
While some strive to grow and stand out, saying the saying: Each for himself, in Japan, teamwork is valued.
There is even a saying that goes: The nail that sticks up gets hammered down. Showing that in Japan, those who want to stand out alone get screwed. If someone wants to do well in Japan, they have to learn to live within society.
Work
Here is another stereotype about Japan that is generally true. Many really think that the Japanese are forced to work 12 hours a day? No, they like to work on their own and love to do overtime.
In Japan, they consider it rude to leave before the boss, and when the boss wants to work a little longer, they proudly help.
Also read: Arubaito – Part-Time Work in Japan
Onsen
Onsen are baths in hot springs, popular throughout the country. There are thousands of natural or artificial places that offer baths in hot springs, often public with many people. They are not ashamed to be naked among each other.
Also read: Onsen – Natural Hot Springs of Japan
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