Funny (but true) facts about Japan that will surprise you (Part 2)

1. Umbrella lockers are a thing

Can’t take your brolly inside? Pop it in a numbered locker, lock it up, and come back later. No wet floors here.

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2. Some restaurants let you fish for your dinner

Sit at your table, grab a rod, catch a fish from the indoor pond – and the chef cooks it for you. Zero food miles.

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3. There are Melonpan ice cream sandwiches

Crunchy sweet melon bun, slab of ice cream, instant brain freeze. Worth it.

4. You can get a certificate in chopstick mastery

For real. In some places, you’ll be graded on how you hold them!

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5. Some trains meow

Certain rural trains play animal sounds when they arrive. Especially in stations with themed platforms. Why not?

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6. You might be serenaded by singing rubbish lorries

Instead of a beeping reverse alarm, they play a cheery tune. Like an ice cream van. For bins.

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7. There are entire museums dedicated to cup noodles

Design your own pot, choose your toppings, take it home in a puffed-up carry case.

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8. Some public parks have musical pavements

Step on the right stones and you’ll hear nursery rhymes or anime theme songs. A surprise for your feet.

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9. There’s a train station run by a cat (well, sort of)

Tama the cat was the honorary station master in Wakayama. She had a hat. People took selfies. Now there’s a statue in her memory.

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10. You can get sumo wrestler-shaped confectionery

Little sugar wrestlers for your tea. They’re oddly adorable.

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11. Hotel staff might bow to your luggage

We’ve seen it happen. You roll your case in – the bellhop bows before moving it.

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12. You can buy cold spaghetti in a tin

Why? We still don’t know. But it exists – and it’s in a vending machine somewhere in rural Hokkaido.

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