Top 7 Weird Japanese Trends

Japan is well-known for its eccentric trends and habits. While most stories range from outrageous to adorable, some are downright weird. In no particular order, here are the top seven examples of weird Japan.

 This spa will let you bathe in you favorite beverage

A trip to the hot spring is a must when visiting Japan. These days certain spas are stepping up their game in an effort to provide a more interesting, unique service. Forget soaking in mineral rich spring water, these spas will let you bathe in your choice of tea, coffee, wine, or sake.

 

The strangest first pitch ever

This has to be one of the strangest ways to open a baseball game. This ceremonial first pitch for a Japanese baseball game was a full on skit to promote an upcoming horror movie. Imagine Robert Downey Jr. opening a MLB game dressed in the Iron Man suit.

 

The numerous pet cafes

Okay, this one is pretty much the most adorable thing ever. Do you feel bored or disillusioned with modern cafe culture? If Starbucks doesn’t cut it anymore why not try one of Japan’s pet cafes. A lot of the most popular cafes center around cuddly animals like cats or bunnies. Some more exotic cafes do exist, like this owl cafe in Tokyo.

 

 Japan’s Capsule Hotels

Japan’s capsule hotels are as famous as they are strange. They were designed as an affordable option for businessmen and office workers who miss the last train home. The rooms, which are often compared to shoe boxes, are able to offer low nightly stays by providing only the bare necessities to guests.

 

 Anime Obsession

Japanese Anime and Manga have become mainstream throughout much of the world. However, Like many other things in Japan, it goes a bit too far. The influence of anime can be seen in all aspects of Japanese culture.

 

This crazy invention

Japan is a hotspot for new inventions and technology. Many are things we can’t live without. But every so often we see something that makes us scratch our head. This female lap pillow is one of those things.

 

The eating craze

Lets face it, Japan has an obsession with competitive eating. Japanese eating contests are shown on national TV in Japan as well as in neighboring countries in Asia. For some reason the ones doing the eating look like they could be blown away by a stiff wind. Not the type you would expect to ingest obscene amounts of food for fun. The video above, with nearly 3 million views, shows how popular professional eating can be. If you like to watch young girls scarf down 25% of their body weight in one sitting, then Japan is the place for you!