21. Bowing
Japan is a humble culture. Humbleness is built into the language and customs. The bow is a common greeting in Japan. It's also a common way to apologize.
22. Youth Subcultures
Many Japanese youth have free time and disposable income. As they get older — social pressures and responsibilities may dramatically reduce this freedom. Japanese youth take advantage of this period in their lives in which they're free to express themselves.
23. Love Hotels
Love hotels are not nearly as seedy as they may sound. Japanese homes and apartments are small. Couples need some personal space — love hotels offer a solution.It's not uncommon for married couples to stay at one.
24. Japanese Ghosts, Demons & Monsters
Japanese folklore is filled with ghosts, monsters and demons.
25. Japanese Cars
Japan produces some of the Worlds most admired car models.Take the Lexus LS 400 for example. For years, European car makers had a virtual monopoly on the luxury car market. The Lexus LS 400 was the first serious (international) Japanese luxury car. It's widely acclaimed as one of the more innovative car models ever to be engineered. It stirred up competition — waking the European manufacturers from a long stint of complacency.
26. Geisha
Geisha are traditional Japanese entertainers. They're focused on entertaining men in drinking establishments. In this way they are similar to hostesses. They're skilled in traditional arts and are excellent conversationalists.Geisha are commonly featured in movies, music videos, magazines and manga. They're minor celebrities — Geisha attract attention wherever they go.
27. Purikura
Purikura are sticker printing photo booths that are popular with young girls in Japan. Purikura are also fairly popular in other Asian countries. The first purikura appeared in 1995 — teenage girls went wild for them. By the late 1990s, every high school girl in the country had a giant scrapbook of purikura stickers.Purikura have advanced over the years. They have always hidden blemishes (everyone looks better in a purikura photo). These days they can perform virtual plastic surgery — giving you bigger eyes.
28. Hanami / Sakura
In spring the sakura bloom in Japan and everyone wants to be outside. Hanami parties break out all over the country. You might think that viewing flowers would be a quiet introspective activity — the reality is that it's a wild party.
29. Japanese Toilets
Japan is home to both the most advanced and most primitive toilets. Modern Japanese toilets have dozens of buttons to control the heated seat, deodorizer, noise maker and washlet. Traditional Japanese toilets are a bowl built into the floor.
30. Sumo
Sumo is in decline in Japan. Nobody under 60 seems to have much interest in it. Matches are filled with foreign tourists and Japanese spectators over 80 years old. To add to sumo's dilemma — professional sumo has a major controversy every year or so. Allegations of yakuza match fixing, hazing incidents etc.
