Often, when we see a particularly innovative or cute design, our brains jump to ‘Japan.’ The East Asian nation has a well-deserved reputation for clever designs and blending the traditional and modern.

Scroll down and enjoy this peak into some of the most unique ways that Japan does things. Visitors tend to come away with stories of technological wonders and adorable devices. Check out the neatest ideas you can find in Japan and be sure to upvote your favorites and let us know which you would love to see in your country.

We had the opportunity to speak to two seasoned travelers about Japan and ask some questions regarding travel tips and Japanese culture.

If you enjoy learning more about the ‘Land of Rising Sun,’ be sure to check out Bored Panda’s other articles in this series here, here and here!

Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.

#1 Rice Field Art In Japan

#2 My Favorite Shop Sign In Kyoto

#3 I Love The Customized Manhole Covers In Japan. They Have It In Each Locality Around

Shannon O’Donnell from the travel blog A Little Adrift was kind enough to talk to us about visiting Japan. “Japan is among the most fascinating countries travelers could visit—it’s a thoroughly modern country with a culture completely dissimilar to much of the West. You don’t find that combination in many other countries. For this reason, I think it’s a fantastic spot for adventurous first-time travelers, but tricky for most who don’t have their “travel legs,” so to speak. You’re facing potential culture shock—Tokyo is a bustling, fascinating city that never stops moving, and some pretty strong written and spoken language barriers—English-language penetration is low even in fairly touristy areas.”

“That said, the Japanese offer unparalleled hospitality, the extensive train system is a breeze to use, and travelers never lack for incredible food. So while there are clearly a number of countries in Europe and other areas that are easier for first-time travelers, those with a sense of adventure will find that Japan offers an unmatched travel experience. ” In fact, Shannon believed that the entire world could learn from Japan’s absolutely fantastic rail network, which she described as “fast, clean, and efficient.”

#4 Japanese Government Sends Individuals Quarantining At Home, Free Care Packages. This Is How Much I Got

#5 I Spotted This Bus For Preschool Kids In Nagoya

#6 An Umbrella Sky In Metsa Village, Japan

We also had the honor to interview the experts at Boutique Japan about visiting it as a first-time traveler. “Japanese people are so friendly and hospitable to visitors (and it’s an extraordinarily safe country). There are so many other aspects of traveling around Japan that make it so traveler-friendly, for example, the fact that everything runs so smoothly and efficiently (bullet trains always being on time as just one example!)”

#7 Night Bus In Japan

#8 I Found This At My Host Family’s House In Japan

#9 City Lights Of Nagano Seen Through The Thick Fog At Night

“I find that people in Japan tend to practice mindfulness in daily life, without being pretentious about it. There is a culture of respect in Japan that our travelers always comment on. Wherever you go (whether a fancy restaurant or a convenience store), the service is amazing because people tend to take such care in everything they do,” they added when we asked what the rest of the world could learn from Japan.

#10 Flower Field In Hokkaido, Japan

#11 Japanese Hospital Food

People asked me to post pictures of the food I got during my hospital stay (6 days), so here it is. Only two months after the baby was born. Also, I completely lost my appetite while I was in the hospital and didn’t manage to eat most of the food, which was very upsetting.

#12 If You Have A Cup Of Noodles In Japan, You’ll Get Cats On The Inside Of The Lids. However, At A 6% Chance, You’ll Get A Tibetan Fox. Middle Right

‘Geography is destiny’ is a quote often attributed to Napoleon and it seems applicable to the history of Japan. Island nations are often more insular and the rulers of Japan took this to the extreme. Between the 16th and 19th century, the country was cordoned off to foreigners by law while Japanese people were prohibited from leaving.

Even though Japan has been ‘open’ to the world for over a century, it remains a surprisingly homogenous nation. Nearly 99% of the population are ethnically Japanese. All in all, this created a culture in many ways unaffected by outside influence. And, as the pictures here might indicate, it really shows!

#13 A Bookstore In Matsumoto City

#14 These Fruit-Shaped Bus Stops

#15 Some Grocery Carts In Japan Are Designed To Stack Everything Vertically, And To Cut Down On Aisle Congestion

Japanese design tends to follow a few core principles. Simplicity is actually seen as a great virtue, though this may seem strange when your server is a robot or when one travels by bullet train! This is best seen in certain elements of Japanese cuisine. Sushi traditionally emphasized the purity of the fish, which is ideally served as fresh as possible.

#16 I Went To Shinjuku And Saw The Coolest Advertisement Display

#17 This Building In Tokyo With Plants Growing On The Walls

#18 Mini Japanese Garden Between Seats On A Train To Kyoto

What might strike some readers as unusual is the idea of ‘Fukinsei’ or asymmetry. The idea is to find balance between regular patterns and the unexpected. This is also an important concept in Zen philosophy, as imperfection is seen as a natural part of life to be embraced. Look around you. Many examples of natural beauty are actually quite asymmetrical.

#19 Chiba Urban Monorail In Japan

#20 The Women’s Bathroom At My Nearby Mall In Japan

#21 Pikachu-Themed Train In Japan

#22 A Fire Hydrant In Tokyo, Japan

#23 Probably The Most Beautiful Hotel I Have Ever Been Too. Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen, Okawaso, Fukushima

#24 I Found This Locker Area In A Science Museum. Nagoya, Japan

#25 This Bakery In Japan Puts Their Leftover Bread In A Vending Machine To Sell After Hours

#26 In Japan, There’s A Privacy Button That Plays Sound In The Background Of The Toilet So That No One Would Hear Your Business

#27 3D Coffee Art

#28 There Was A Sales Car Of KFC Without Any Salesman

#29 A Chopstick Store In Kappabashi Street, Tokyo

#30 This Phone Booth In Osaka

#31 The Trains In Japan Have “Women Only” Space

#32 This Japanese Restaurant Has A Tiny Mountain Fuji In The Base Of Their Glasses

#33 The Japanese Government Sends A Care Package If You Have Covid. This Is For A Family Of 2 In Tokyo

#34 Taking Historic Architecture Into Account When Adding Vending Machines

#35 This Toilet Refills With Water For Flushing As You Wash Your Hands

#36 Curved Escalator In Japan

#37 Speaker Shrine In Japan That You Can Bluetooth Your Own Audio To

#38 This Hook-Shaped Restroom Door Handle So You Wouldn’t Need To Use Your Hands

#39 Train Seats In Osaka Have This Pattern To Remind You To Offer Your Seat To The People That Need It More

#40 Sewer Cover In Osaka, Japan

#41 This Beautiful Statue In Sendai, Japan

#42 This Japanese Claw Machine Lets You Win A Cheesecake

#43 These Are Refrigerated Lockers To Store Your Groceries. Saw This At The Airport In Hokkaido, Japan

#44 Train Station In My Town Has A Line For Visually Impaired People

#45 Shopping Mall Food Court In Japan Offers Napkins To Wipe Tables. After Cleaning, Everyone Unfolds Their Used Napkins And Stacks Them Neatly

#46 This Kyoto Station Has 12 Floors Of Escalators

#47 Hotel In Tokyo Has A Free Smartphone To Use While Being There

#48 To Boost The Economy, Japan Gives Out Free Money Coupons To Use In Local Supermarkets And Restaurants If You Are In-Country Traveling

#49 Shopping Carts In Japan Have An Umbrella And Cane Holder

#50 Extra Train Seat In Japan

You might also like: Germany Is A Whole Different World, And These 49 Photos Are Here To Prove It

50 Japanese Inventions That Show Off How Distinct The Country Is From Any Other Place