Among the Japanese culture that we have come into contact with every day, there are some unusual aspects that would surprise people overseas.

Knowing the differences between Japan and other countries and how foreigners react when they encounter Japanese culture is essential knowledge for cross-cultural exchange and is also useful when traveling abroad.

In this article, we will introduce in detail the aspects of Japanese culture that surprise people overseas, comparing it with other countries.

What are some unusual aspects of Japanese culture that surprise people overseas?

This time, we have carefully selected eight slightly unusual Japanese cultural events that surprise people overseas, including classic seasonal events.

In either case, the key point is "how things are in other countries." There are surprisingly many things that are taken for granted in Japan but are unthinkable overseas.

Coming-of-age ceremonies are held simultaneously across the nation

In Japan, "Coming of Age Ceremony" is a major event in life where people are recognized as social adults. Many new adults choose to wear a suit, but both in Japan and overseas, the image of long-sleeved kimono and hakama predominates, so it may be obvious at a glance that it is an event unique to Japan.

However, similar cultures exist overseas as well. For example, in the United States, people are considered adults at the age of 16, when they are able to obtain a driver's license, and their birthdays are celebrated in a big way.

Of course, birthdays vary from person to person, so the timing is different from Japan, where coming of age is celebrated simultaneously across the country.

Displaying expensive dolls on Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri, held every year on March 3rd as a day to celebrate the growth of girls, is one of the Japanese cultures that surprises people overseas.

There are few celebrations just for girls overseas, but there is an even more surprising reason for this: the Hina dolls, which parents decorate in hopes of their daughters' health and growth.

This is because Hina dolls are expensive. There are also cultures overseas where families decorate for their children, such as for Christmas, but it seems that they don't spend as much money on it as they do on Hinamatsuri.

You may be wondering why it's a doll in the first place.

On Valentine's Day, men are given chocolates.

Valentine's Day, which falls every year on February 14th, originated from Christian priests during the Roman Empire and is universally recognized as the day when lovers pledge their love to each other.

In Japan, it is generally thought of as a day when women give chocolate to men. In fact, it is rare in the world for there to be a set giver or gift, and it is a custom unique to Japan.

In particular, Japan is the only country in the world where chocolate is given as a gift. When we hear the word "chocolate," we tend to think of the West, but it is said that the custom originated from a postwar promotional campaign by employees of a confectionery company that spread the word.

The crane is considered an auspicious bird

In Japan, cranes have long been considered auspicious birds, symbolizing longevity, prosperity, and good fortune. This is evidenced by the fact that they are often featured prominently in proverbs, folk tales, artwork, and customs.

However, the images of animals that are likely to become objects of worship are often polar opposites depending on the cultural sphere.

The same can be said for cranes, which are feared as "birds that bring death" in Northern European countries that are familiar with Celtic mythology. In Haitian Voodoo, cranes are also considered "messengers of the devil."

In these cultural areas, things like tying a thousand paper cranes are completely unacceptable. It is extremely rude, so keep that in the back of your mind.

The entrance ceremony will be held in April

In Japan, the "entrance ceremony" is held in April when the cherry blossoms bloom, and is one of the events that marks the beginning of a new life. While this may not seem unusual in Japan, in fact, there are almost no countries that hold entrance ceremonies in April.

Globally, September enrollment seems to be the norm in Western countries (the United States, France, and the United Kingdom), China, Mongolia, and other countries.

Eat noisily

Food culture varies greatly depending on the cultural sphere. One uniquely Japanese food culture that is not well accepted overseas is "eating noisily."

In Japan, it is common to slurp when eating noodles such as soba, udon, and ramen. However, in other countries where quiet, slow eating is often considered a virtue, this does not leave a good impression.

Even in Japanese restaurants overseas, it seems that few people prioritize Japanese dining etiquette. To avoid causing discomfort to those around you, it may be best to be careful when traveling abroad.

Restaurants offer free water and towels

In the restaurant industry, the service of restaurants providing free water and wet towels has become a common culture for Japanese people.

While it may be available for free with drinks like wine, ordering water for a fee is the global standard. As for oshibori, it is a service that is rarely seen outside of Japan.

This type of service may be the pinnacle of Japan's proud "omotenashi" culture.

People of the same ethnicity speak the same language

You may not be aware of it, but a country like Japan, where people of the same ethnicity speak the same language, is rare in the world.

This is deeply related to historical factors such as immigration, but whether you look at countries in Asia, Europe, or around the world, the majority are multi-ethnic nations.

summary

The Japanese culture that we come into contact with every day without even thinking about it may seem even more precious when we compare it with other countries.

Furthermore, understanding other countries' cultures and showing mutual respect can help prevent unnecessary trouble. We hope that the knowledge in this article will be helpful in your cross-cultural exchanges, not only when traveling abroad but also within Japan.

This article has been partially re-edited by KARUTA from an article originally published on "Nihongo Biyori."
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