Only in Japan: Surprising Innovations & Trends from the “Land of the Rising Sun”
From karaoke to Pokémon, plenty of wonderful trends that were born in Japan have made it across the Pacific to the United States. Of course, not everything that’s popular in the island nation makes a huge impact — or any impact at all — in the West.
In fact, there are some truly unique and ever-prevalent innovations, trends and everyday items that are an enduring part of Japanese culture that you won’t find at all in the U.S. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.
Hedgehog Cafe
If you live in a big city or super trendy town here in the United States, you’ve probably heard of “cat cafes,” right? Well, for the unanointed, these destinations are precisely what they sound like. You can enjoy a cup of tea, double espresso or scone while dozens of cats, often rescues, mill about the cafe, playing and looking for someone to pet them. (Maybe.)
Yes, it’s kind of like paying to hang out in someone else’s cat-filled living room, but cat cafes are also thought to relieve stress and help customers relax. In Japan, cafe owners took this concept to the next level by opening hedgehog cafes. The regulations vary by location, but these establishments usually let visitors cradle the spiny, often sleepy, creatures in their hands. For a few hundred extra yen, you can even feed the adorable little mammals.
Capsule Hotels
Capsule hotels are all about functionality. Travelers who book these trendy accommodations don’t receive more space than they need. Instead, they are given a pod, fitted with lights and a bed — and sometimes a few other modest amenities. Arranged side-by-side in long rows, the pods look like something out of The Matrix.
Like with a hostel, guests have access to communal bathrooms and dining areas. Unlike a hostel, there’s a little more crawling involved. Nonetheless, since the first capsule hotel opened in 1979 in Osaka, Japan, travelers have been able to save a pretty penny, all while getting some beauty rest. Forbes recommends claustrophobic guests skip out on this trend — Web Urbanist seconds that recommendation — morbidly pointing out that the capsules “[resemble] corpse drawers in a morgue.”
Hamburger Straws
What goes together better than a hamburger and milkshake? Not much. In Japan, McDonald’s customers are bringing the two super foods closer together than ever before. Enter the hamburger straw. If everyone isn’t already piercing their burgers with a straw, they will be — soon. Who could turn down this Insta opportunity?
According to Kotaku, the trend started in Japan around 2017, quickly becoming a viral meme of sorts that locals were posting to their Instagram accounts. The trend grew, reaching restaurants beyond the “Golden Arches,” and, eventually, the craze consumed other food groups. These days, you can find folks spearing donuts and cupcakes with their shake straws. In fact, this is such a popular look that dessert-centric restaurants here in the U.S., like CrazyShake™ are catching on.
Sleeping on the Job
In many places, falling asleep on the job is embarrassing at best and a fireable offense at worst. In fact, there’s a whole Seinfeld episode dedicated to George Costanza’s (Jason Alexander) inventive desk design, which allows him to sleep out-of-sight in the office. Long story short: Getting paid to catch up on your Zzz’s is a dream — and, in Japan, it’s a dream come true.
The trend is known as “inemuri,” which means “present while sleeping.” According to Japan Today, Japanese folks only get 6 hours and 35 minutes of sleep a night on average, making Japan one of the most sleep-deprived nations in the world. A demanding work ethic and little time to snooze at home mean workplace culture has evolved to allow a little sleep. If you’re new to a company, you might not want to snore too openly, but if you’re higher up on the ladder, you can sleep on the job, no strings attached.
Ōkunoshima (Rabbit Island)
Located in the Inland Sea of Japan a few miles off the coast of the Japanese city of Takehara, Ōkunoshima is a small island. Like other tourist spots, it’s accessible by ferry, riddled with hiking trails and historical points of interest, and filled with wildlife — and we mean filled. The island is often called Usagi Shima, or “Rabbit Island,” due to the amount of feral rabbits that roam the terrain.
During World War II, a poison gas factory was established on Ōkunoshima due to its isolation and distance from Tokyo. While rabbits were used as test subjects, today’s long-eared residents are not descended from those World War II-era subjects. Instead, it’s believed that a group of school children released about eight rabbits on the island in 1971. With no natural predators and a ton of food, these fast-breeding creatures now have a population of about 1,000, which is why folks flock to Rabbit Island to snap social media-friendly pictures.
KFC for Christmas
Kentucky Fried Chicken made its way to Japan in 1970. These days, KFC, the world’s second-largest chain after McDonald’s, has seen Japan become its third-largest market, just behind the United States and China. According to The New York Times, 70% of KFC sales in Japan are takeout sales, as many customers prefer eating chicken as a side dish, especially for special occasions.
Speaking of special occasions, it has become customary to indulge in KFC during the holidays. In 1970, Takeshi Okawara, the manager of Japan’s first KFC, promoted fried chicken “party barrels” as a Christmas meal, almost like a substitute for the turkey dinner with all the trimmings. At the time, Christmas in Japan didn’t have a whole lot of traditions associated with it, so party barrels became the way to celebrate the holiday. Now, the “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign is so successful that Christmastime sales account for nearly 5% of the restaurant’s annual revenue.
Rent-a-Friend
Money can’t buy love, but it sure can buy a pal with a 24-hour expiration date — at least in Japan. The island nation’s latest trend is the booming rent-a-friend industry, which allows customers to pay for someone to act as a friend, family member, spouse or even funeral mourner — all for a by-the-hour fee.
According to Hive Life, Ishii Yuichi, who owns a business called Family Romance, has “played every part from stand-in father for a wedding, missing dad, long lost son and even make-believe groom in his job as a companion for hire.” With upwards of 1,200 actors in the employ of Family Romance, there’s no doubt that the rent-a-friend industry is popular. While these impersonators have helped customers going through emotional times, Yuichi has had a few cases end in marriage proposals — as well as stalking incidents.
Animal Doughnuts
Known as “doubutsu doonatsu” in Japanese, animal donuts are the cute snack craze that’s delighting young and old alike. After all, who doesn’t want to snatch up one of these adorable cat or frog pastries? Two shops are known for this style of doughnut — what Kotaku calls the “animal ring” — Animal Doughnut of Ikumimama and Floresta.
According to Floresta, which technically debuted the treat, a customer suggested they make animal-themed donuts. One of the women responsible for the initial critters was Ikumi Nakao, who later made her own specialty shop, Animal Doughnut, which focused solely on these kawaii creations. Like all cute (and photogenic) things, Ikumi’s animal donuts were a viral hit on Twitter — and the rest is history.
Passenger “Pushers”
If you’ve ever ridden a subway train during rush hour, you know just how wild rush hour can get. There’s little regard for personal space, and everyone packs in tight, like sardines wedged in a tin. In New York City, conductors of yore would ask commuters to “step lively” to ensure they crammed themselves into the train cars in a timely manner. In Japan, it’s all about the passenger pushers.
Instead of verbally reminding commuters to hurry up and cram into a train car, these passenger pushers, or “oshiya,” focus on making sure passengers board promptly without getting caught in the doors. The method, which was first utilized at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, is good for safety and ensures the trains run on time. The phenomenon was first widely publicized in the lead up to the 1964 Summer Olympics when LIFE photographer Brain Brake snapped a picture of the oshiya.
Buying Human Contact & Cuddle Cafes
In Japan, folks can get almost anything from a vending machine. In some restaurants, booths for one are fitted with partitions so customers don’t have to interact with other single diners. In a world where people are increasingly isolated from one another, those without partners or close friends may lead lives devoid of — or severely lacking in — human contact. Fear not: If you’re feeling lonely, you can hit up one of Japan’s “cuddle cafes.”
Similar in theory to the cat and hedgehog cafes, cuddle cafes are meant to help put customers at ease through contact. Of course, what sets this one apart is that you’re paying for chaste human contact. At Soineya, Japan’s first “co-sleeping specialty shop,” which opened in 2012, customers can experience the comfort of sleeping beside someone. As per the menu, it will run you about 3,000 yen for an hour of co-sleeping — and an extra 1,000 yen if you want to spoon.
Tako Tamago
Full of neon lights and greasy food, Osaka is the place to be, especially for foodies looking to step outside their comfort zones. According to the Japan Centre, Osaka’s motto is “kuidaore,” which translates roughly “to eat yourself into ruin.” Sounds intense, right? Just wait until you see the delectable offerings, including the trendy Tako Tamago.
If you’re looking for a quick bite that doesn’t involve utensils, skewered food is the way to go. While in Osaka, we recommend trading the chicken kebab for Tako Tamago, which is a tiny glazed and grilled octopus, speared on a skewer. Oh, and it has a quail egg stuffed into its head. Japan Centre recommends checking out Kuromon Ichiba Market, which is known for fresh seafood and, as a result, is fully stocked when it comes to Tako Tamago.
Liberation Wrapper
When you think of liberation for women, you probably think of women winning the right to vote, getting paid as much as their male counterparts — all the essentials. What you probably don’t think of is a woman’s right to eat a burger in public. In Japan, the beauty trend “ochobo,” or having a “small and modest mouth,” is all the rage. Well, thanks to the “ochobo” trend, it is considered rude for a woman to open her mouth wide while in public.
That adds some complications when it comes to chowing down on a burger. After noticing a discrepancy in burger sales in accordance with customers’ gender, chain restaurant Freshness Burger teamed up with Ad Dentsu to create the “liberation wrapper,” a wrapper that features a close-mouthed woman’s face and allows the eater to cover her own mouth. Since introducing the wrapper, Freshness Burger has seen burger sales among women increase by a whopping 213%.
Moomin Cafés
For those who don’t know, The Moomins date back to the 1970s when they debuted in the books and comic strips of Swedish-speaking Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson. Thanks to their cute snouts, the creatures resembled hippopotamuses and were an immediate hit. These days, the Moomin characters are still quite popular in Japan, so much so that they have spawned a themed cafe.
In 2012, the Moomin House Cafe went viral due to its promotion as an “anti-loneliness” cafe. That is, in order to help customers avoid the awkwardness and embarrassment of dining solo, the cafe seats you with Moomins. These stuffed animal companions may not be great conversationalists, but they are certainly photogenic and capable of making you smile. Every weekend, the Moomin-themed cafe is packed all day long.
Vending Machines for Every Occasion
There are upwards of 5.6 million vending machines in Japan, and the options go way beyond snacks. Needless to say, you can buy almost anything from one. While most machines do sport the usual hot and cold beverages and junk food snacks, others are filled with unique items ranging from rice and sake to umbrellas and batteries — all the essentials you might have forgotten at the grocery store.
Other themed vending machines of note include one that sells exclusively bananas, one chock full of fresh floral arrangements, and one loaded with toilet paper — yikes, always keep some coins on hand! One of the most bizarre is a vending machine that spits out disposable cups for a few yen since employees are encouraged — but could forget — to bring cups from home. One of the most specific is a vending machine stocked with ties, so businessmen who were out all night can look like they went home and changed before work.
Public Baths
For many, public nudity can be downright terrifying. After all, there’s that old public-speaking trick that encourages anyone with nerves to picture the audience in their underwear. In movies and TV, that trick can often backfire in the protagonist’s head, rendering them as the one in their skivvies. While Americans may experience some form of (toweled) public nudity in a sauna, it’s not super common, but, in Japan, public baths are still quite popular.
This trend is less innovative and more about taking a tried-and-true experience and making it “in vogue” again. While much of the Western world has phased out public baths, the Japanese find them relaxing and a great way to relieve stress, akin to a spa day. Visitors can choose between the traditional public baths or “sento” and the “onsen,” or hot-spring baths. Be aware that there are rules when it comes to baths. For example, some don’t allow guests who sport tattoos.
A Vacation for Your Stuffed Animals
No, this isn’t a glimpse into Toy Story 5 — it’s a very real Tokyo-based service that sends your precious stuffed animals on a relaxing vacation without you. CNN reports that, for a decade, Sonoe Azuma of Unagi Travel has organized tours of Japan, Europe and the United States for stuffed animals who are eager to embark on a little holiday.
While the service covers the return flight, customers are expected to cover the costs of getting the stuffed animal to its first destination and pay the tour costs. For example, seeing some of Japan’s grandest sites will run you and your toy around $45 — an extra $10 for the hot springs. Although this sounds a bit frivolous at first, CNN reports that the service has therapeutic effects. For those who can’t travel due to physical or financial limitations, seeing their stuffed animals whisked around the globe is the next best thing and can be exciting, even healing.
Blue Traffic Lights
When Americans travel to Japan, there are a lot of differences to prepare for, especially when it comes to the rules of the road. For example, like the Brits, the Japanese drive on the left side of the road, which can be a big adjustment if you’re just a visitor. Another oddity? The color of the traffic lights — in particular, one traffic light.
Although the yellow and red lights match those found in the United States and elsewhere, the green light is questionable. To make matters more confusing, the Japanese call it the “blue” light. Because the colors of traffic lights are subject to an international convention, according to which the “go” signal must be green, the actual coloring of the light falls somewhere between green and blue.
Expensive Fruits
From tennis ball-sized strawberries to heart-shaped watermelons, Japan’s luxury fruits are highly sought commodities — and like all luxury goods, they come at a high price. Those giant strawberries? According to CNN, their primary grower only yields about 500 a year, all of which sell for about $4,395 a pop. Meanwhile, a bunch of first-harvest grapes — called “Ruby Roman” for their perfection and resemblance to the gem — sold for $9,700.
So, why are the Japanese willing to pay so much for unique fruits? High-end fruit has become a symbol of respect, starting with the fact that fruits were left to the gods as offerings on home altars. Now, they make perfect host gifts. If you’re looking for something unique but budget friendly, try the cube-shaped watermelon, which runs a mere $150. However, if you’re looking to really wow someone with just how much you respect them, we suggest the Yubari King melon. A few years ago, two of these melons sold for a combined $26,779.
Love Hotels
As the name suggests, love hotels are primarily places for couples to retreat to when they need some alone time. Unlike typical hotels, these abodes offer hours-long visits, known as “rests,” and overnight visits, called “stays.” In fact, these couples’ jaunts are so popular that larger cities like Tokyo have entire love hotel districts.
While some love hotels offer your standard, no-frills experience, others are completely themed and allow visitors to rent costumes to go along with the property’s aesthetic. For example, Tokyo offers Hotel Sara, which looks like something out of Tron: Legacy; Meguro Emperor, a fairy-tale castle, turrets and all; and Hotel Chapel Christmas, which, as the name suggests, offers an abundance of holiday cheer.
Themed Restaurants
Sure, we might have Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood, but none of the themed restaurants in the United States hold a candle to those in Japan. Unlike our stateside themed dining experiences, which are often either pop-ups or dinner-and-a-show experiences — we’re looking at you, Medieval Times — Japan offers something more immersive. Take, for example, Ninja Akasaka, where the waiters are trained in ninjutsu.
TripAdvisor reviewers noted that the ninja-theming was thorough — there was even a secret path to the dining area, and the menus were written on scrolls — yet, surprisingly, nothing felt cheesy, thanks to the care and detail. Other impeccable themes that draw locals and tourists alike include Robot Restaurant, which is full of all the neon entertainment you could hope for, and Alcatraz ER, a prison/medical nightmare-turned-eatery. Long story short, there’s something for everyone — though some restaurants are more appetizing than others.
Owl Cafes
Now that cat cafes are a bit old hat, other animal-themed hangouts have cropped up, from hedgehog cafes to reptile-filled coffee houses. Steps away from the neon glow of Tokyo’s magna-filled Akihabara district lies Japan’s latest animal cafe craze, Akiba Fukurou. The cafe is home to an impressive 25 owls, all different sizes and breeds, and tourists and locals alike are flocking to meet these feathered friends.
For around $12, customers at Akiba are invited to pick out an owl, sit beside its perch and give it a quick pet. Most sessions last an hour and include that much-coveted photo op, but, contrary to what the name suggests, the cafe is light on caffeinated beverages. You also can’t feed the owls — handling frozen mice doesn’t really complement a latte anyway. Needless to say, a visit to an owl cafe is sure to be a hoot.
Nameless Streets with Misnumbered Houses
What’s in a name? Well, according to Japanese urban planners, not all that much. Unlike Western countries, Japan doesn’t name most of its streets. In fact, rather than streets — the spaces between blocks — being named, the blocks are given numbers. Some main thoroughfares, however, are still given names, but they are not super official, just shorthand for locals.
Since blocks are numbered, but streets aren’t given names, maps are all the more important when you’re navigating Japanese cities. Luckily, maps are quite abundant in most heavily populated areas, posted near train stations or other points of interest. If you’re touring Japan for the first time, we recommend toting around a guidebook, just in case.
Omiyarimi
Omiyarimi isn’t necessarily a trend. Instead, it’s a tried-and-true Japanese tradition that encourages babies to cry — at least for an afternoon. While most parents try tirelessly to quiet their children, those who participate in Omiyarimi at the 400-year-old Nakizumo Festival hope to bring their children good health. So, how exactly does the tradition work?
Parents take their babies to Tokyo’s Nakizumo Festival and, while there, match them up with sumo wrestlers. These sumo wrestlers then gently shake the babies and make strange faces at them, gently persuading them to cry. All the crying that ensues is said to ward off evil spirits. We just hope the sumo wrestlers get a nice, quiet break afterwards.
Adult Adoption
In the United States, we usually associate adoption with parents taking in children who are not yet 18 years old. However, in Japan, adult adoption is just as common, if not more so. The practice isn’t anything new. It’s a centuries-old notion that developed so that families could carry on their name and pass on their estates without worrying solely about bloodline. That said, it can become the key to social mobility if you’re adopted by wealthy or well-positioned parents.
During Japan’s Tokugawa period, which spanned more than 200 years between 1600 and 1868, those belonging to the Samurai class often adopted sons, who could assume the head of household role or inherit the family business when the patriarch passed. For second-born sons, adult adoption also became a way to climb the ladder — to effectively become someone else’s first-born child. Today, businessmen still lean into this tradition.
Crooked Teeth Surgery
Most Americans can attest to the brutal childhood struggle of going through middle school with braces. Whether it’s by extracting teeth from crowded mouths or sporting a mouthful of metal for a time, most of us stateside are obsessed with straight, white teeth and that ever-elusive perfect smile. In Japan, however, people aren’t spending thousands of dollars for the model pearly whites.
Yaeba is the Japanese trend that describes people who are paying to have crooked teeth, a look that women employ most often in order to attract men. Dentists in other countries have become so concerned with this fad spreading that the Australian Dental Association warned against hopping on the bandwagon, citing that purposefully making your teeth crooked could lead to speech impediments and gum irritation.
Ganguro
If you thought the world left the tanning-bed-chic look of the Jersey Shore back in the early 2000s, think again. Ganguro is essentially a trend that advocates for looking as though you’ve gotten an overdone — and rather orange — tan. The style actually originated before Snooki’s rise to fame, back in the 1990s as a way to rebel against the traditional Japanese ideal of having fair skin.
Now, women (and men) who sport ganguro-inspired looks have added some more flair to the fashion statement. In addition to having prominent tans, these trendsetters often sport bright hair and outfits. Some might say these two contrasts don’t exactly complement each other, but thanks to ganguro cafes, the look is becoming more and more widespread and accepted, so much so that tourists are flocking to the cafes as well.
Braille on Beer Cans
Our fridges are often stocked with aluminum cans, plastic containers, paper cartons, glass bottles — an assortment of materials in varying shapes and sizes. However, in Japan, most beverages, regardless of what they are, come in aluminum cans. As previously mentioned, vending machines are all the rage, so this method of packaging seems to make the most sense. At the same time, it can cause some confusion.
With sodas, beers, coffee and more packaged in aluminum cans, folks were accidentally grabbing — and drinking — from the wrong containers. This became a bit of a red flag to the powers that be, so about a decade ago, Japanese brewers started to stamp the word “beer” in Braille along the top of their cans. Although this demarcation isn’t mandated by the government, breweries came together to make their products more accessible for blind and low-vision folks. Cheers to that.
Crying Workshops at the Office
In addition to long workdays, Japan’s workforce is known for being under an incredible amount of pressure. Look, this is relatable to Americans as well. We feel the need to work constantly, even on our off hours, and worry over the holidays about everything we have to accomplish once we’re back in the office. In order to alleviate some of that stress, a new trend has cropped up in Japanese workplaces.
Introduced in 2015 by a company called Ikemeso Danshi, the practice of having a cathartic cry at work helps employees relieve their stress. Workers go to employees’ offices and show them slideshows — moving photos and videos — that will trigger their tears. If the images alone don’t work, those using the service are asked to share their feelings; once they cry, the trained worker wipes away their tears. When the practice first started, it was used mainly by women, but we believe everyone needs a good cry now and then.
Elevator Attendants
In 1914, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Japan’s first real department store, opened its doors in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Initially, one of the store’s most impressive offerings was its elevators, which were some of the first to be used in Japan. Although initially operated by men, the elevators of the 1930s featured female elevator attendants. Back in the day, operating an elevator was one of the most coveted positions you could hold.
Although elevator operators in general are a dying breed, Mitsukoshi still holds on to this tradition, offering top-quality customer service and old-fashioned elevators. For the store, the elevator attendants, who wear full costumes and always have perfect poise and posture, represent a link to the past and serve as a way to honor cultural history and share hospitality with visitors and customers.
Shironuri
Shironuri translates to “painted in white” and resembles the traditional face makeup worn by both geishas and stage actors. This more modern take on the look also incorporates Gothic and Victorian elements as well. Back in the 9th century, Shironuri was employed by women of means as a way to make their status known. Today, it’s more of an artistic endeavor.
According to a write up in the International Business Times, the style was almost single-handedly revived by Minori, who gained a widespread following after she was featured in Vogue. In essence, Minori turns herself into living art by combining stark makeup with elaborate outfits and beautiful backdrops. Although Tokyo-based art gallery Qualia Junction is helping Minori expand her career overseas and grow the visibility of Shironuri, she also insists on wearing her makeup and outfits daily while taking the train and walking the streets in order to make it more a part of the cultural fabric once again.
