Strange and Fascinating Japanese Customs You’ll Only Find in Japan

Exploring the Quirky and Mysterious Side of Japanese Culture

Japan is often described as a country where the ancient and the modern coexist in perfect balance.

But beyond the temples and the technology, there are countless traditions—some heartwarming, others downright puzzling—that continue to shape everyday life.

Here are some of Japan’s most fascinating and mysterious customs that might surprise (and maybe even delight) you.

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🧹 1. Spring Cleaning… for the Soul — “Ōsōji” (大掃除)

While many people clean their homes before the New Year, Japan takes it to another level.

In late December, families across the country perform Ōsōji, a deep cleaning of their homes, schools, and workplaces.

But it’s not just about dust and clutter—Ōsōji is a spiritual reset, meant to sweep away the misfortunes and negativity of the past year, making space for good luck and fresh beginnings.

Even offices and public schools close early to participate.

It’s a ritual that combines mindfulness, respect, and the Japanese love of starting things “pure.”

Why it’s fascinating:

Because in Japan, cleaning isn’t a chore—it’s a sacred act of renewal.

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👹 2. Beans Against Demons — “Setsubun” (節分)

On February 3rd, Japan celebrates Setsubun, the day before the beginning of spring in the traditional lunar calendar.

Families throw roasted soybeans out their doors while shouting:

“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!”

(“Demons out! Good fortune in!”)

Someone—usually the father—wears an oni (demon) mask and becomes the target of the bean-throwing.

It’s both hilarious and symbolic, a way to cast away bad luck and invite happiness into the home.

In some regions, people also eat the same number of beans as their age for good health in the coming year.

Why it’s fascinating:

Because it turns an ancient ritual into a playful family battle—half comedy, half exorcism!

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💸 3. The Money Offering Dance — “Omikuji” and “Ema” (おみくじ・絵馬)

When visiting a shrine or temple, you might see people drawing paper fortunes called omikuji.

If they get “great luck,” they keep it. But if it’s bad luck, they tie the paper to a tree branch or rack on the temple grounds.

The idea?

By leaving the bad fortune behind, the gods will “hold onto it” for you, keeping misfortune from following you home.

Similarly, ema are small wooden plaques on which people write wishes or prayers—everything from passing exams to finding love.

When hundreds of ema hang together, they create a forest of human hopes.

Why it’s fascinating:

Because in Japan, spirituality isn’t distant—it’s personal, colorful, and interactive.

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💀 4. Talking to the Dead — “Obon” (お盆)

Every August, families welcome the spirits of their ancestors back home during Obon, one of Japan’s most sacred traditions.

People light lanterns, visit graves, and even prepare favorite foods for the returning spirits.

The celebration ends with floating lanterns on rivers or the sea, guiding the souls back to the afterlife.

Obon is not a sad event—it’s a reunion across time, filled with gratitude and gentle melancholy.

In some towns, you’ll even see Bon Odori, joyful dances performed in circles under the summer night sky.

Why it’s fascinating:

Because Japan blurs the line between life and death, seeing remembrance as a joyful duty rather than sorrow.

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🍴 5. Slurping Is a Compliment! — “Ramen Etiquette”

In Japan, eating ramen quietly is actually considered strange.

Here, slurping loudly shows that you’re enjoying the meal!

The sound isn’t rude—it helps cool the hot noodles and releases more flavor as you eat.

It’s also a way to show appreciation to the chef.

Foreign visitors often hesitate at first, but once they join in, it becomes an oddly satisfying part of the experience.

Why it’s fascinating:

Because manners in Japan aren’t about silence—they’re about harmony and respect, even through sound.

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🪞 6. Bowing, Not Shaking Hands — The Language of Respect

Bowing is one of Japan’s most recognizable customs.

But it’s also one of the most complex, with subtle meanings based on depth, duration, and situation.

A short bow for greetings, a deeper one for apologies, and a perfectly timed one for formal encounters.

It’s both body language and art form—a silent way to say everything from “hello” to “thank you” to “I’m sorry.”

Why it’s fascinating:

Because every bow tells a story about humility and connection.

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🌸 The Beauty Behind the Quirks

At first, these customs may seem strange—throwing beans, tying paper fortunes, bowing endlessly, or even talking to ghosts.

But each carries the same spirit: a deep respect for balance, purity, and the unseen.

In Japan, daily life and spirituality are woven together like threads in a kimono—ordinary gestures infused with extraordinary meaning.

So the next time you visit Japan, don’t just watch the customs—feel them.

They’re not just traditions.

They’re whispers from the past, still alive in every bow, every lantern, every smile.