7 interesting things only in Japan

Koi fish living in aqueducts, picturesque sewers, outdoor ‘foot baths’… are interesting things in the land of cherry blossoms.

Water channel for releasing koi fish: Arriving in Shimabara City, you will find a clear water channel filled with koi, an expensive ornamental fish. This dates back to 1792, when Unzen volcano activity caused spring water to flow through what is now the city. The water is so clean that in 1978, the government decided to release koi fish into a 100-meter-long aqueduct. This is a fish that can only live in pure water, proving the cleanliness of the water in this area. Image: Kyushu & Tokyo. Hand wash basin on toilet: Many toilets in Japan have hand basins mounted on the toilet’s water tank. Users can wash their hands with clean water, then this water will flow down the toilet tank, used to flush the toilet. This is a simple way to save water. Image: Japaninfo. 6,000 beautifully decorated manhole covers: The Japanese have turned manhole covers into works of art for visitors to check-in. Thousands of different designs for you to explore. Each area, each community has special caps depicting the local culture, which cannot be found anywhere else. Image: Juiceonline. Electronic map of the toilet: Some toilets in Japan have an electronic map, which tells the user which chamber is occupied, and which one is latrine or squat. This saves users from having to check which rooms are available, especially when the door is closed. Image: Buzzfeed. Long-lasting cream: Japanese scientists have found the ingredient that keeps ice cream from melting too quickly – strawberry polyphenols. The name of this ice cream is Kanazawa Ice, sold in some places in Japan. They can hold their shape for hours at a time. Image: Wabisabinavi. “Bath feet”: A popular form of hot spring in Japan is ashiyu – foot baths, which are usually free or very cheap. They are arranged along the road, at stops… in areas with many hot springs. This form not only brings a relaxing experience, but also saves time and money. Image: Amayori. Fruit is more expensive than gold: Expensive fruits are considered branded goods in Japan, showing the class of buyers. They cost from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars a fruit such as Yubari melon, square melon, Ruby Roman grape, mango… Growing and caring for these fruits is a difficult and labor-intensive process. farmer. They also have a distinctly delicious taste, so their hefty price tag is understandable. Image: SCMP.