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50 Japanese Inventions That Show Off How Distinct The Country Is From Any Other Place
Interview
Often, when we see a particularly innovative or cute design, our brains jump to ‘Japan.’ The East Asian nation has a well-deserved reputation for clever designs and blending the traditional and modern.
Scroll down and enjoy this peak into some of the most unique ways that Japan does things. Visitors tend to come away with stories of technological wonders and adorable devices. Check out the neatest ideas you can find in Japan and be sure to upvote your favorites and let us know which you would love to see in your country.
We had the opportunity to speak to two seasoned travelers about Japan and ask some questions regarding travel tips and Japanese culture.
If you enjoy learning more about the 'Land of Rising Sun,’ be sure to check out Bored Panda’s other articles in this series here, here and here!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Rice Field Art In Japan
#2
My Favorite Shop Sign In Kyoto
#3
I Love The Customized Manhole Covers In Japan. They Have It In Each Locality Around
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I love all the tiny ways that Japan tries to preserve and share its art and culture.
Shannon O'Donnell from the travel blog A Little Adrift was kind enough to talk to us about visiting Japan. “Japan is among the most fascinating countries travelers could visit—it's a thoroughly modern country with a culture completely dissimilar to much of the West. You don't find that combination in many other countries. For this reason, I think it's a fantastic spot for adventurous first-time travelers, but tricky for most who don't have their "travel legs," so to speak. You're facing potential culture shock—Tokyo is a bustling, fascinating city that never stops moving, and some pretty strong written and spoken language barriers—English-language penetration is low even in fairly touristy areas.”
“That said, the Japanese offer unparalleled hospitality, the extensive train system is a breeze to use, and travelers never lack for incredible food. So while there are clearly a number of countries in Europe and other areas that are easier for first-time travelers, those with a sense of adventure will find that Japan offers an unmatched travel experience. ” In fact, Shannon believed that the entire world could learn from Japan’s absolutely fantastic rail network, which she described as “fast, clean, and efficient.”
#4
Japanese Government Sends Individuals Quarantining At Home, Free Care Packages. This Is How Much I Got
#5
I Spotted This Bus For Preschool Kids In Nagoya
#6
An Umbrella Sky In Metsa Village, Japan
We also had the honor to interview the experts at Boutique Japan about visiting it as a first-time traveler. “Japanese people are so friendly and hospitable to visitors (and it's an extraordinarily safe country). There are so many other aspects of traveling around Japan that make it so traveler-friendly, for example, the fact that everything runs so smoothly and efficiently (bullet trains always being on time as just one example!)”
#7
Night Bus In Japan
#8
I Found This At My Host Family's House In Japan
#9
City Lights Of Nagano Seen Through The Thick Fog At Night
“I find that people in Japan tend to practice mindfulness in daily life, without being pretentious about it. There is a culture of respect in Japan that our travelers always comment on. Wherever you go (whether a fancy restaurant or a convenience store), the service is amazing because people tend to take such care in everything they do,” they added when we asked what the rest of the world could learn from Japan.
#10
Flower Field In Hokkaido, Japan
#11
Japanese Hospital Food
People asked me to post pictures of the food I got during my hospital stay (6 days), so here it is. Only two months after the baby was born. Also, I completely lost my appetite while I was in the hospital and didn't manage to eat most of the food, which was very upsetting.
#12
If You Have A Cup Of Noodles In Japan, You'll Get Cats On The Inside Of The Lids. However, At A 6% Chance, You'll Get A Tibetan Fox. Middle Right
‘Geography is destiny’ is a quote often attributed to Napoleon and it seems applicable to the history of Japan. Island nations are often more insular and the rulers of Japan took this to the extreme. Between the 16th and 19th century, the country was cordoned off to foreigners by law while Japanese people were prohibited from leaving.
Even though Japan has been ‘open’ to the world for over a century, it remains a surprisingly homogenous nation. Nearly 99% of the population are ethnically Japanese. All in all, this created a culture in many ways unaffected by outside influence. And, as the pictures here might indicate, it really shows!
#13
A Bookstore In Matsumoto City
#14
These Fruit-Shaped Bus Stops
#15
Some Grocery Carts In Japan Are Designed To Stack Everything Vertically, And To Cut Down On Aisle Congestion
Japanese design tends to follow a few core principles. Simplicity is actually seen as a great virtue, though this may seem strange when your server is a robot or when one travels by bullet train! This is best seen in certain elements of Japanese cuisine. Sushi traditionally emphasized the purity of the fish, which is ideally served as fresh as possible.
#16
I Went To Shinjuku And Saw The Coolest Advertisement Display
#17
This Building In Tokyo With Plants Growing On The Walls
#18
Mini Japanese Garden Between Seats On A Train To Kyoto
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
Riding in style. I wonder if this is first class and how much a seat costs?
What might strike some readers as unusual is the idea of ‘Fukinsei’ or asymmetry. The idea is to find balance between regular patterns and the unexpected. This is also an important concept in Zen philosophy, as imperfection is seen as a natural part of life to be embraced. Look around you. Many examples of natural beauty are actually quite asymmetrical.
#19
Chiba Urban Monorail In Japan
#20
The Women's Bathroom At My Nearby Mall In Japan
#21
Pikachu-Themed Train In Japan
Merty Robinson 1 year ago
I got on a Hello Kitty themed train in Japan. Every little thing, even the pictures of the driver on the tiny train maps on the back of the seats had been changed to kitty. IMG_201911...14b396.jpg 
#22
A Fire Hydrant In Tokyo, Japan
#23
Probably The Most Beautiful Hotel I Have Ever Been Too. Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen, Okawaso, Fukushima
#24
I Found This Locker Area In A Science Museum. Nagoya, Japan
#25
This Bakery In Japan Puts Their Leftover Bread In A Vending Machine To Sell After Hours
#26
In Japan, There's A Privacy Button That Plays Sound In The Background Of The Toilet So That No One Would Hear Your Business
Frank 1 year ago
Because of the thin walls in many buildings, Japanese women would continuously flush the toilet so they could not be heard "doing their business". As that was quite expensive and not ecological, this was introduced. The first versions just played a recording of a toilet being flushed...
#27
3D Coffee Art
#28
There Was A Sales Car Of KFC Without Any Salesman
#29
A Chopstick Store In Kappabashi Street, Tokyo
#30
This Phone Booth In Osaka
Paulo Freitas 1 year ago
Move Over British Payphone booths, Japan wins this One with the samurai Payphone booths.
#31
The Trains In Japan Have "Women Only" Space
Yeah, okay. 1 year ago
SIL used to work in happen Japan in the late '90s. She said men groping women on the trains was every damn day, and you learned to back up against the side quick if you couldn't get a seat. Being a tall blonde, it happened so much, but she also took none of it and regularly smacked and slapped offenders (something Japanese women didn't do, which was very surprising). She once was at a traffic stop on a bike and a guy on a bike next to her rescue over and grabbed her a*s - she jumped off her bike and began beating him with her purse yelling her head off. They never expected her to do that, every time.
#32
This Japanese Restaurant Has A Tiny Mountain Fuji In The Base Of Their Glasses
#33
The Japanese Government Sends A Care Package If You Have Covid. This Is For A Family Of 2 In Tokyo
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
In the US and UK you just go hungry if you don’t have family members or friends close to get food for you.
#34
Taking Historic Architecture Into Account When Adding Vending Machines
Charlie the Cat 1 year ago
If you had stuff like that in the US it would get vandalised.
Load More Replies...
Meowlanie Meowpants 1 year ago
What we model them after strip malls ascetic or taco bell. East coast could maybe be cooler looking but we are tòo new out west in the worlds age
Jack Harris 1 year ago
Would never happen here. Why? Because there's no advertising on the sides. 🙄
Ivan Petrov 1 year ago (edited)
Appearance means a lot to Japanese, sometimes to a fault, but this is just great. It would be jarring, if you see a modern machine in such a historical place. This feels less intrusive.
#35
This Toilet Refills With Water For Flushing As You Wash Your Hands
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
I have a small house and seriously want to install a powder room with one of these.
#36
Curved Escalator In Japan
#37
Speaker Shrine In Japan That You Can Bluetooth Your Own Audio To
#38
This Hook-Shaped Restroom Door Handle So You Wouldn't Need To Use Your Hands
#39
Train Seats In Osaka Have This Pattern To Remind You To Offer Your Seat To The People That Need It More
#40
Sewer Cover In Osaka, Japan
#41
This Beautiful Statue In Sendai, Japan
#42
This Japanese Claw Machine Lets You Win A Cheesecake
#43
These Are Refrigerated Lockers To Store Your Groceries. Saw This At The Airport In Hokkaido, Japan
#44
Train Station In My Town Has A Line For Visually Impaired People
Burnt Bagel 1 year ago
You mean their government spends money on infrastructure for the people and not building bombs?
#45
Shopping Mall Food Court In Japan Offers Napkins To Wipe Tables. After Cleaning, Everyone Unfolds Their Used Napkins And Stacks Them Neatly
Rita Lynn Lyman 1 year ago (edited)
Japan is so beautifully environmentally conscious about the most basic things. Meanwhile in the U.S. I can't get my family to fully recycle or stop using paper plates and paper towels for dinner every night. They think I am crazy
#46
This Kyoto Station Has 12 Floors Of Escalators
#47
Hotel In Tokyo Has A Free Smartphone To Use While Being There
#48
To Boost The Economy, Japan Gives Out Free Money Coupons To Use In Local Supermarkets And Restaurants If You Are In-Country Traveling
#49
Shopping Carts In Japan Have An Umbrella And Cane Holder
#50
Extra Train Seat In Japan
Add New Image
What do you think ?
magix (they/them) 1 year ago
remember, while japan is a beautiful place, their society is f**ked. work-life balance is nonexistent, and they have one of the highest s*icide rates.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I would love to visit Japan, however, I don't think I could ever live their as a foreigner. It looks like such a gorgeous country, however, I have indeed heard from friends who have lived there and from my old Japanese professor that the work culture and pressure to succeed is incredibly difficult. Japan even has a word for "death by overwork." I truly hope that one day they will be able to find a more equal work and life balance.
Load More Replies...
Verinder of the Valley 1 year ago
This post is quite special to me since I was born there, don't remember much though, only bits and pieces, and the whole culture is a special thing to me, I get a bolt of happiness whenever it is mentioned!
Penny Dubin 1 year ago
We are visiting Japan in March and April. So excited! Also meeting our family’s exchange student from 1997!!!!
Load More Replies...
Hawkmoon 1 year ago
Japan also has an absolutely amazing music scene. All the musicians are top notch whatever your tastes. For my part, I love hard-rock and Metal and in the ranking of my favorite bands, some Japanese bands are now at the top, especially all girls bands who are breathtaking in their mastery of techniques and influences.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I was ridiculed in secondary school for listening to Japanese rock and pop although I was studying the language to pursue a degree in linguistics. I loved the way that some of the bands incorporated traditional instruments and rythms into their music. Now Asian bands, especially, KPop bands are incredibly popular--I guess I was just an early trend setter.
Load More Replies...
marianne eliza 1 year ago
People in Japan must respect and enjoy all these little extras. Here in the USA it would be trashed or stolen within hours.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I noticed that too. If if was any other country I have a feeling there would be more negative comments and pushback
Load More Replies...
Om 1 year ago
I live in Mexico, and of course there's different cities, but where I live at least, I don't think we could have any of these nice things. Every time they've tried to implement any kind of ornament or bus station, etc, it gets destroyed, vandalized or stolen. Like those manhole lids, if we had something like that it wouldn't last a week before someone had taken it away, for sure. I don't know if Japanese people have nice things because of their culture, or their culture is like that because of the nice things they grow up with, but in my third world country I feel like we're centuries behind.
similarly 1 year ago
Every country has positives and negatives. I used to live close to Mexico, and I love the Mexican people and the Mexican culture. Mexico also has really good health care. As a kid, I used to go to a dentist in Mexico.
Load More Replies...
VonBlade 1 year ago
Amazing list. (also hilarious to see one commentor making it their life's mission to ensure we're aware when things aren't unique to Japan, because we have to lessen others achievements to make ourselves feel good)
Dobs Place 1 year ago
Why is it that some people can't appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of another country without crapping on their own? Yes, these photos are beautiful and make me want to visit, but this is like looking at someone's FB page and thinking you know everything about them. ALL countries have good and bad, beautiful and ugly, wonderful and terrible. Don't knock one just to bolster another!
Lesbian Sloth 1 year ago
This post just wants to make me visit Japan more than I already do aghhh
DrBronxx 1 year ago
This would be better, and more accurate to the title, if it exclusively featured things that are present throughout Japan, like the walkways for the visually impaired, or the manhole cover designs. I would leave out the individual things like unusually designed buildings. Japan is a wonderful place, but every country has individual things that are unusual and amazing. Better to include things that show why Japan *as a country* is unique.
Bryan With A Why 1 year ago
Which ones weren't from Japan? I must have missed it cause they all looked Japanese to me.
Load More Replies...
B Rowlandson 1 year ago
"Scroll down and enjoy this peak into some of the most unique ways that Japan does things. "Peak" as a noun, verb, or adjective means to reach the top. "Peek" means to take a quick look.
Sherif Sani 1 year ago
I still can't understand how a country can be so cultural and techy at the same time. I really want to visit Japan badly. Does anyone know how blacks are treated over there
Cindy Dott 1 year ago
It's sad that they need women only train cars. The molestation rate is insane over there.
Vincent Gallagher 1 year ago
The dismissive commentary dubbing Japan a f**cked society is basely ignorant. Anyone who has travelled to the interior of Kyushu views a world very different from the urban metropolis of Tokyo or Osaka. Let alone, the fact: workers in the USA work more hours per week than the Japanese. Japan is very convivial and diverse there is individuation, but unlike the US, egocentricity is rare. The large number of small, independently owned shops is one marker of the culture and far outstrips the US. There is also broad sociality, which is polite & mannered. As for suicide, that is within a cultural context, far outside the ken of undestanding expressed by a foreigner with hardly an iota of knowledge about a place never visited and viewed thru gross stereotypes. Japan has the longest living population - which is the culmination of societal characteristics. Stated below: an incredible, diverse music scene - more so than the USA..
Kevin Hickey 1 year ago
As an American, my first reaction to most of these things was, "That's awesome but it looks expensive to do it that way and we couldn't afford it", because I've been brainwashed into believing that there is no money for nice things like this in America. The reality is that we have plenty of money for things like this, we just choose to spend it all on bombs, prisons and tax breaks for obscenely wealthy A-H0LES.
Bryan With A Why 1 year ago
You can't "spend money on tax breaks" just like you can't "spend money working fewer hours." What you're trying to say is you wish the government was more communist and took more money from those who earned it and give it to those who didn't.
Load More Replies...
Colton Gipson 1 year ago
Most of these are quirky one offs and not the norm, nor will a visitor likely even see most without seeking out actively
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
When people ask why America got effed up? Never forget that Japanese-styole business management was imported to the US and look how oh-so-great that is...not. The shift when it happened was hailed as a great thing (by execs).... Two great issues with it is 1. seeing workers as capital rather than people and 2. resources arriving only when required, not being stored. Anyone else see how that can go wrong?
AG 1 year ago
Since at least the Industrial Revolution workers have never really been people hence the introduction of unions to prevent workers from being abused by companies.
Load More Replies... magix (they/them) 1 year ago
remember, while japan is a beautiful place, their society is f**ked. work-life balance is nonexistent, and they have one of the highest s*icide rates.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I would love to visit Japan, however, I don't think I could ever live their as a foreigner. It looks like such a gorgeous country, however, I have indeed heard from friends who have lived there and from my old Japanese professor that the work culture and pressure to succeed is incredibly difficult. Japan even has a word for "death by overwork." I truly hope that one day they will be able to find a more equal work and life balance.
Load More Replies... Verinder of the Valley 1 year ago
This post is quite special to me since I was born there, don't remember much though, only bits and pieces, and the whole culture is a special thing to me, I get a bolt of happiness whenever it is mentioned!
Penny Dubin 1 year ago
We are visiting Japan in March and April. So excited! Also meeting our family’s exchange student from 1997!!!!
Load More Replies... Hawkmoon 1 year ago
Japan also has an absolutely amazing music scene. All the musicians are top notch whatever your tastes. For my part, I love hard-rock and Metal and in the ranking of my favorite bands, some Japanese bands are now at the top, especially all girls bands who are breathtaking in their mastery of techniques and influences.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I was ridiculed in secondary school for listening to Japanese rock and pop although I was studying the language to pursue a degree in linguistics. I loved the way that some of the bands incorporated traditional instruments and rythms into their music. Now Asian bands, especially, KPop bands are incredibly popular--I guess I was just an early trend setter.
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 1 year ago
People in Japan must respect and enjoy all these little extras. Here in the USA it would be trashed or stolen within hours.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
I noticed that too. If if was any other country I have a feeling there would be more negative comments and pushback
Load More Replies... Om 1 year ago
I live in Mexico, and of course there's different cities, but where I live at least, I don't think we could have any of these nice things. Every time they've tried to implement any kind of ornament or bus station, etc, it gets destroyed, vandalized or stolen. Like those manhole lids, if we had something like that it wouldn't last a week before someone had taken it away, for sure. I don't know if Japanese people have nice things because of their culture, or their culture is like that because of the nice things they grow up with, but in my third world country I feel like we're centuries behind.
similarly 1 year ago
Every country has positives and negatives. I used to live close to Mexico, and I love the Mexican people and the Mexican culture. Mexico also has really good health care. As a kid, I used to go to a dentist in Mexico.
Load More Replies... VonBlade 1 year ago
Amazing list. (also hilarious to see one commentor making it their life's mission to ensure we're aware when things aren't unique to Japan, because we have to lessen others achievements to make ourselves feel good)
Dobs Place 1 year ago
Why is it that some people can't appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of another country without crapping on their own? Yes, these photos are beautiful and make me want to visit, but this is like looking at someone's FB page and thinking you know everything about them. ALL countries have good and bad, beautiful and ugly, wonderful and terrible. Don't knock one just to bolster another!
Lesbian Sloth 1 year ago
This post just wants to make me visit Japan more than I already do aghhh
DrBronxx 1 year ago
This would be better, and more accurate to the title, if it exclusively featured things that are present throughout Japan, like the walkways for the visually impaired, or the manhole cover designs. I would leave out the individual things like unusually designed buildings. Japan is a wonderful place, but every country has individual things that are unusual and amazing. Better to include things that show why Japan *as a country* is unique.
Bryan With A Why 1 year ago
Which ones weren't from Japan? I must have missed it cause they all looked Japanese to me.
Load More Replies... B Rowlandson 1 year ago
"Scroll down and enjoy this peak into some of the most unique ways that Japan does things. "Peak" as a noun, verb, or adjective means to reach the top. "Peek" means to take a quick look.
Sherif Sani 1 year ago
I still can't understand how a country can be so cultural and techy at the same time. I really want to visit Japan badly. Does anyone know how blacks are treated over there
Cindy Dott 1 year ago
It's sad that they need women only train cars. The molestation rate is insane over there.
Vincent Gallagher 1 year ago
The dismissive commentary dubbing Japan a f**cked society is basely ignorant. Anyone who has travelled to the interior of Kyushu views a world very different from the urban metropolis of Tokyo or Osaka. Let alone, the fact: workers in the USA work more hours per week than the Japanese. Japan is very convivial and diverse there is individuation, but unlike the US, egocentricity is rare. The large number of small, independently owned shops is one marker of the culture and far outstrips the US. There is also broad sociality, which is polite & mannered. As for suicide, that is within a cultural context, far outside the ken of undestanding expressed by a foreigner with hardly an iota of knowledge about a place never visited and viewed thru gross stereotypes. Japan has the longest living population - which is the culmination of societal characteristics. Stated below: an incredible, diverse music scene - more so than the USA..
Kevin Hickey 1 year ago
As an American, my first reaction to most of these things was, "That's awesome but it looks expensive to do it that way and we couldn't afford it", because I've been brainwashed into believing that there is no money for nice things like this in America. The reality is that we have plenty of money for things like this, we just choose to spend it all on bombs, prisons and tax breaks for obscenely wealthy A-H0LES.
Bryan With A Why 1 year ago
You can't "spend money on tax breaks" just like you can't "spend money working fewer hours." What you're trying to say is you wish the government was more communist and took more money from those who earned it and give it to those who didn't.
Load More Replies... Colton Gipson 1 year ago
Most of these are quirky one offs and not the norm, nor will a visitor likely even see most without seeking out actively
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
When people ask why America got effed up? Never forget that Japanese-styole business management was imported to the US and look how oh-so-great that is...not. The shift when it happened was hailed as a great thing (by execs).... Two great issues with it is 1. seeing workers as capital rather than people and 2. resources arriving only when required, not being stored. Anyone else see how that can go wrong?
AG 1 year ago
Since at least the Industrial Revolution workers have never really been people hence the introduction of unions to prevent workers from being abused by companies.
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