Sunday, August 23, 2009

Naked Festival Entices Thousands To Ohara

Japanese men throw mikoshi (portable shrines) before carrying it into the sea during the Ohara Hadaka (naked) Festival on September 23, 2008 in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The Ohara Hadaka Festival is celebrated by naked adult males to wish for the abundant crop and the prosperity of the year.
Naked Festival Entices Thousands To Ohara
Naked Festival Entices Thousands To Ohara
Naked Festival Entices Thousands To Ohara
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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Japan Fun Facts

Japan Fun Facts

1. In Japan a watermelon costs around 250 - 300 USD and a musk-melon costs around 100 USD.
2. If you want to buy a Coca-Cola can from a vending machine, it would cost more than a dollar.
3. It is considered inappropriate behavior in Japan to blow your nose in public or tear gift wrappings, although you can smoke almost in every public place.
4. Japan has the longest reigning monarchy in the world.
5. They are the largest consumer of timber imported from the Amazon rain forests.
6. Japan has a high rate of smokers, with almost 60% of the population indulging in smoking.
7. The Japanese language incorporates four different forms of writing.
8. English happens to be the only foreign language taught in Japanese schools.
9. Rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with tea for lunches and dinners is a common Japanese diet habit.
10. There is a vending machine almost in every corner of its cities, where you can get beer, cigarettes, newspapers and cold drinks
11. Over 90% of the Japanese population buys a comic-magazine daily. Manga (Japanese animation) is more than 80% Of Japan's Book sales.
12. On 'Respect for the Aged Day' - one of the Japanese national holidays, Tobacco companies give away free cigarettes to the elderly outside Tokyo subway stations.
13. Noh, a traditional and popular Japanese theatre can last up to eight hours.
14. Here's a piece of piece of fun facts about Japan - Toilet seats in Tokyo are heated, and can also wash and dry.
15. Every year around Cherry blossom flower festival the weather forecasts on Television and Radio include reports on the advance of the Sakura zensen - the Cherry Blossom trees front.
16. Male kabuki actors play the roles of females. Women were forbidden to act in Kabuki Theatre, and this tradition still goes on today.
17. Here's one of the strangest facts about Japan - Some Japanese numbers are considered to be lucky or unlucky. 3, 5, and 7 are lucky numbers, 4 and 9 are unlucky.
18. The emergency room masks people wear in the streets are not due to a terrible disease that has spread in Tokyo. They are worn in order to protect other people from a virus or a slight cold.
19. The Japanese kanji writing system includes almost 2,000 Kanji characters in everyday use.
20. Sumo is the national sport in Japan. Most Rikishi (Sumo professional wrestlers) weigh an average of 160 kg, and up to 250 kg.
21. Tokyo teens wear costumes every Sunday. It is called Cosplay, and you can see them in Harajuku.
22. One of the most important Japan facts for a tourist - Japanese drive on the left, just like in England. So look in the right direction when crossing the street.

These are probably not all true facts, but they sound good!