Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the sometimes-interesting-but-clearly-bizarre...
Love Hotels
These short-stay hotels, designed for amorous couples, have proven increasingly popular in Japan, where space, and therefore privacy, are at a premium. An estimated two per cent of Japan's population (127m x 0.02) visit one each day. Love hotels can usually be identified by the offer of two different room rates: a "rest", as well as an overnight stay. The name, and the presence of heart symbols, is also a giveaway. They are usually found close to train stations, near highways, or in industrial districts. While the cheapest love hotels will be pretty basic, high-end establishments may offer extravagantly decorated rooms, often with bizarre themes and costumes for hire.
The 'Cuddle Cafe'
The first Soine-ya (which means "sleep together shop") opened last year in Tokyo, allowing male customers to lie down next to a girl for a fee. The men can purchase extras such as "staring at each other for a minute" (¥1,000) and "stroking the girl's hair for three minutes" (¥1,000). Other unusual establishments are numerous. In some Tokyo cafes, the waitresses, who dress like maids, run around singing and serving ice cream. In others, you can pay to have a cat or a rabbit sit on your lap.
Double Tooth
Unlike the majority of the world, the youth of Japan are spending considerable sums of money on attaining uneven or "snaggle" teeth. It is known as "yaeba", which translates as "double tooth," and is one of the country's most recent odd fashion trends.
The Suicide Forest
Aokigahara, a forest at the base of Mount Fuji, is like something out of The Blair Witch Project. It has an historic association with demons in Japanese mythology, and is the second most popular place in the world for suicides, after San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. More than 50 people took their own lives here in 2010 alone, and an annual body hunt is undertaken by volunteers. Hikers are advised to use plastic tape to mark their route and avoid getting lost.
Naked Festivals
Hadaka Matsuri is a bizarre festival involving thousands of Japanese men removing their clothes in public due to the ancient belief that a naked man has a greater ability to absorb evil spirits. Only the most intimate parts of the body are covered, using a ‘fundoshi'.
Mr. Kanso
This is a surprisingly popular Japanese restaurant that only serves canned food. Instead of providing a menu, those who dine there have the opportunity to select their meal from the shelves that adorn the walls and are supplied plastic cutlery to enjoy the contents of their can.
The Capsule Hotel
The capsule hotel originated in Osaka, Japan. It features a set of extremely small capsules designed for basic overnight accommodation for those on a budget. Capsules are stacked side by side with one unit on top of another to maximise space.
Kancho
‘Kancho,’ is a common prank often carried out in Japanese playgrounds. It is performed by the individual clasping their hands together into the shape of a gun. It is then customary to attempt to insert the index fingers harshly into the derrière of the unsuspecting victim while shouting ‘KANCHO!’
It is a widespread Japanese superstition that if a funeral hearse drives past, you must hide your thumb in a fist. ‘Thumb,’ translate directly into ‘parent-finger,’ and hiding it is considered protection for your parents.
Island of the Gas Masks
Found in the Izu islands of Japan, Miyake-jima's most prominent feature is its active volcano, Mount Oyama, which has erupted several times in recent history. Since the most recent explosion, in 2005, the volcano has constantly leaked poisonous gas, requiring residents to carry a gas mask at all times. Sirens go off across the island when the levels of sulphur rise sharply.
