“Stay Crazy Japan”: 50 Interesting Pics That Show Why Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

There is no such thing as one dream destination as it differs with each traveler. But for those seeking a dynamic and inspiring travel experience, Japan is likely to be it; or at least it appears somewhere near the top of the bucket list.

With a population of nearly 123 million people, it is home to 13 cities with more than a million inhabitants, as well as 34 national parks, and a number of mountains—12,516 named peaks, to be exact—one of the most significant ones being Mount Fuji, standing tall at 12,388 ft (3,776m).

The fact that it’s the tallest one in Japan is not the only reason, which makes Mount Fuji stand out from the rest. (Pun intended.) A popular tourist attraction to visitors, the peak is a site of spiritual importance and a source of artistic inspiration for locals.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), legend has it that it all started with one person, a notable religious ascetic Hasegawa Kakugyo, who summited the mountain over 100 times. His feats led to the formation of a group of Mt. Fuji worshippers, known as Fuji-ko, who showed their dedication by building shrines and monuments, and fasting.

Over time, their devotion grew into fanaticism, which was eventually banned; however, the tradition of worshiping mountains persisted, rendering such wonders of nature respected sites of spiritual significance.

In addition to an impressive number of peaks, Japan also has quite a few islands. As a matter of fact, it has quite recently discovered thousands of them the country arguably didn’t know of before.

Roughly a year ago, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) found that there are 14,125 islands in Japanese territory, which is more than double the number it was believed to be until that point, CNN reports. The previous number of 6,852 has been the official record since a report by Japan’s Coast Guard was presented back in 1987.

But it’s not only incredible nature that makes the country an exceptional place. Creating a Japan itinerary might not be easy because of an abundance of man-made wonders that ought to be added to it, too, whether modern or dating back hundreds of years.

Some of the most popular ones to visit include Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, viewed by many as the most beautiful city in the country, and Nara, another former capital dotted with Japanese Buddhist buildings. There’s also Osaka, where you can enjoy the lively nightlife and marvel at the abundance of lights and neon signs or Beppu if you would rather unwind in the hot springs instead. Needless to say, covering them all is close to impossible, even though every city is exceptional in its own way.

While it’s impossible to praise every city and town in Japan, its capital, Tokyo, is definitely worth mentioning; and, of course, visiting, if the opportunity arises. Home to roughly 37 million people (according to 2024 estimates), it is reportedly the world's most populous metropolis, which boasts a little something for every type of traveler, from nature lovers, to museum enthusiasts, and history geeks, among others.

While both the natural and the man-made wonders in Japan ought to leave a lasting impression, the customs and traditions prevailing in the country are likely to do so, too. Similar to some of the unexpected items or occurrences on this list, they tend to be completely commonplace to locals yet quite unusual to those visiting the beautiful country.

Take slurping, for instance; something that can get you in trouble at the dinner table as a child in other countries, is not considered bad table manners in Japan. On the contrary, it is believed to allow the person to enjoy their noodles to the fullest and lets the cook know that they clearly like the meal.

Another rather unique food-related feature Japan tends to surprise its visitors with is the abundance of all sorts of vending machines. According to Rough Guides, you can find one distributing bananas for a healthy snack on the go, as well as those selling beers as a less healthy alternative. There are even vending machines for purchasing live crabs.