Every country boasts its unique charm, whether it’s the people, the food, the nature, or anything else, for that matter, that creates it. And while what captivates people the most differs from visitor to visitor, some places seem to leave many of them fascinated with what they’ve seen or experienced.One of such places, likely to leave its visitors in awe, is Japan. Home to everything from bustling cities to breathtaking nature, and so much more, it also surprises travelers with some rather unexpected sights, such as fried chicken vending machines and public air showers for those suffering from pollen allergies, just to name a couple. Scroll down to find more examples and explore what other unique features add to the charm of Japan.This post may includeaffiliate links.

Every country boasts its unique charm, whether it’s the people, the food, the nature, or anything else, for that matter, that creates it. And while what captivates people the most differs from visitor to visitor, some places seem to leave many of them fascinated with what they’ve seen or experienced.

One of such places, likely to leave its visitors in awe, is Japan. Home to everything from bustling cities to breathtaking nature, and so much more, it also surprises travelers with some rather unexpected sights, such as fried chicken vending machines and public air showers for those suffering from pollen allergies, just to name a couple. Scroll down to find more examples and explore what other unique features add to the charm of Japan.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

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There is no such thing as one dream destination as it differs with each traveler. But for those seeking a dynamic and inspiringtravel experience, Japan is likely to be it; or at least it appears somewhere near the top of the bucket list.With a population of nearly 123 million people, it is home to13 citieswith more than a million inhabitants, as well as 34national parks, and a number of mountains—12,516 named peaks, to be exact—one of the most significant ones being Mount Fuji, standing tall at 12,388 ft (3,776m).

There is no such thing as one dream destination as it differs with each traveler. But for those seeking a dynamic and inspiringtravel experience, Japan is likely to be it; or at least it appears somewhere near the top of the bucket list.

With a population of nearly 123 million people, it is home to13 citieswith more than a million inhabitants, as well as 34national parks, and a number of mountains—12,516 named peaks, to be exact—one of the most significant ones being Mount Fuji, standing tall at 12,388 ft (3,776m).

River In Japan Filled With Cherry Blossom Petals

First Light On The Beautiful Streets Of Kyoto, Japan

The fact that it’s the tallest one in Japan is not the only reason, which makes Mount Fuji stand out from the rest. (Pun intended.) A populartourist attractionto visitors, the peak is a site of spiritual importance and a source of artistic inspiration for locals.

Over time, their devotion grew into fanaticism, which was eventually banned; however, the tradition of worshiping mountains persisted, rendering such wonders of nature respected sites of spiritual significance.

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Manhole Covers In Japan

A Can Of Cake From A Vending Machine In Japan

In addition to an impressive number of peaks, Japan also has quite a fewislands. As a matter of fact, it has quite recently discovered thousands of them the country arguably didn’t know of before.

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Mannequins In Japan

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But it’s not onlyincredible naturethat makes the country an exceptional place. Creating a Japan itinerary might not be easy because of an abundance of man-made wonders that ought to be added to it, too, whether modern or dating back hundreds of years.

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The River Looked Whitish And Murky, So When I Looked Closely, I Saw That Jellyfishes Were Migrating

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While it’s impossible to praise every city and town in Japan, its capital, Tokyo, is definitely worth mentioning; and, of course, visiting, if the opportunity arises. Home to roughly 37 million people (according to2024 estimates), it is reportedly the world’s most populous metropolis, which boasts a little something for every type of traveler, from nature lovers, to museum enthusiasts, and history geeks, among others.

Subways In Japan Have Women-Only Passenger Cars

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While both the natural and the man-made wonders in Japan ought to leave a lasting impression, the customs and traditions prevailing in the country are likely to do so, too. Similar to some of the unexpected items or occurrences on this list, they tend to be completely commonplace to locals yet quite unusual to those visiting the beautiful country.Take slurping, for instance; something that can get you in trouble at the dinner table as a child in other countries, is not considered bad table manners in Japan. On the contrary, it is believed to allow the person to enjoy their noodles to the fullest and lets the cook know that they clearly like the meal.

While both the natural and the man-made wonders in Japan ought to leave a lasting impression, the customs and traditions prevailing in the country are likely to do so, too. Similar to some of the unexpected items or occurrences on this list, they tend to be completely commonplace to locals yet quite unusual to those visiting the beautiful country.

Take slurping, for instance; something that can get you in trouble at the dinner table as a child in other countries, is not considered bad table manners in Japan. On the contrary, it is believed to allow the person to enjoy their noodles to the fullest and lets the cook know that they clearly like the meal.

Today’s View From My Tent On Mount Fuji After Sunset. No Editing. It’s Just Japan

This Is How Smooth The Bullet Train Is In Japan

I Captured A Picture Today Of This Man Trying In Vain To Defend Himself From A Deer In Nara, Japan

Another rather unique food-related feature Japan tends to surprise its visitors with is the abundance of all sorts of vending machines. According toRough Guides, you can find one distributing bananas for a healthy snack on the go, as well as those selling beers as a less healthy alternative. There are even vending machines for purchasing live crabs.

I Managed To Avoid The Crowds In Kyoto And Took This Photo

Takaragawa Onsen - Gunma, Japan

Door Latch That Doubles As An Accessories' Holder At A Public Restroom In Japan. Simple Concept, Straightforward Design, Elegant Execution

Etiquette Poster “Please Turn Down Your Volume” In Seibu Railway, Japan

I Flew To Tokyo On This Bad Boy

These Movie Tickets From The Ghibli Museum Are Frames From Different Ghibli Movies

Japan’s Natural Heart-Shaped Toyoni Lake

Some Elevators In Japan Include An Emergency Kit On The Corner, That Includes Things Like Water, Food And Even Mini-Toilet In Case Of Blackouts Or Earthquakes

Landscape-Friendly Vending Machine

Daily Life In Japan’s Countryside

Deer Couple In Nara, Japan

KitKat In Japan Have Started Changing Their Packaging From Plastic To Paper

Today, I Saw A Batman On The Expressway In Chiba

The Pet Hotel We Used Makes A Journal Of Your Pet’s Stay To Give To You When You Pick Them Up

This Is How Smartphones At Local Japanese Fast Food Restaurants Are Disinfected

Little Jizo Statues In Kamakura

This Starbucks In Kyoto Was Only Allowed In This Area Because They Were Able To Keep The Original Facade Of The Building Intact

I Thought I Was Smart Avoiding The Crowds By Visiting The Bamboo Forest At 10 PM. I Only Managed To Scare Myself And Bail Without Entering Very Far. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto

I Found A Pillow Menu In My Hotel Room

Monkeys Enjoying A Hot-Spring Bath At Jigokudani Park In Yamanouchi (Nagano Prefecture)

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Strange Sights In Japan - A Magical Orchestra In Shiga Prefecture

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My Friends Got Married, And They Wore Traditional Japanese Wedding Kimonos

Manhole Cover In Kyoto, Japan

This Bedside Lamp At My Hotel In Japan Can Be Half-Lit

Abandoned Seafood Restaurant And Its Crab Sign In Osaka, Japan

My Japanese Work Boots Have Suction Cups On The Bottom For Walking On Ceramic Tile Roofs

When I Go To Asakusa, I Pass This Bookstore. It Looks Very Old And Completely Tilted

From The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Game Boy-Shaped Mailbox In The Mountains Of Shikoku

Dobby Looks A Bit Different In Japan

The Ladies' Bathroom At My Nearby Mall In Japan

Automated Snack Vendor In Tokyo

This Japanese Restaurant Has A Waxwork Samurai In The Urinals

Tile At Osaka Subway Points North To Help People With Maps

These Transparent Public Bathrooms Turn Opaque When You Lock Them

Japanese Police Cars Can Raise Their Blinking Lights To Be More Visible

A Fried Chicken Vending Machine In Otaru, Hokkaido

Japan Has Clear Coca-Cola And Clear Iced Tea

This Monk-Shaped Traffic Cone On Buddhist Temple Grounds In Japan

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Japanese Moka Train Station In A Shape Of A Locomotive

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Japanese Style New Year’s Eve Dinner

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Stay Crazy Japan

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This Rocket Building In Tokyo, Japan

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Condom Vending Machine In Japan That Has “I Love You” Written In Many Different Languages

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In Japan, We Have Action-Flavored Coke

This Escalator In Tokyo That Has A Landing

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You Can Buy Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun In Japan. It’s Called A “Napolitan Roll” Or “Napolitan Dog”

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This Lobby At The Robot Restaurant In Shinjuku

This PS5 Energy Drink From Japan

In Japan, There Are Genetically Modified Strawberries That Taste Like Normal Ones

In Japan, This Can Be Ordered At Many Restaurants As A Tomato Salad

Ryzen Vending Machine In Japan

Found In A Driveway In Japan. Other Houses And Buildings Were Perfectly Normal

This Control Panel At A Japanese Hotel I Stayed At Last Week Which Requires Your Room Key To Provide Electricity To The Room

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Whale Meat Sashimi Commonly Sold In Supermarkets In Japan

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