Japan has 128 volcanoes, 58 of which are still active.
Many Japanese consider it inappropriate to show affection in public.
The average woman marries at age 24; the average man at age 27.
Gifts are wrapped elegantly, no matter what the occasion, and the wrapping is often considered just as important as the gift. Tearing the wrapping paper is considered very rude.
Many Japanese have never eaten turkey.
One US dollar is approximately equal to 109 yen.
"Respect for Elders Day" is a national holiday celebrated on September 20.
A kimono is very elegant garment made of silk, worn on very special occasions. It consists of 12 or more pieces and can cost more than $10,000. A yukata is a light summer dress made of cotton or synthetic materials and is worn by women and men of all ages during warmer weather.
High school students are not allowed to hold a part time job.
The minimum driving age in Japan is 18, and cars drive on the left side of the road.
Did you know? Chinese chopsticks are blunt, but Japanese chopsticks are tapered at the end.
The Japanese language can be written in three different scripts. Kangi is similar to Chinese calligraphy in that every word has its own character. Hiragana and katakana are more like Western languages where each character stands for a sound and two or more characters make up a word.
Ikebana is the art of arranging flowers.
In Japanese classrooms, the teachers move from class to class and the students stay in one room.
Many Japanese department stores are multistory, with a grocery store on the bottom, clothing, bedding, electronics, etc. in the middle, and restaurants on the top.
Many students travel 45 minutes to an hour and a half to and from school on public transportation.
