12 Things in Japanese Apartments That Can Both Delight and Terrify Tourists

Japan is one of those countries whose culture drastically differs from the one that we are used to. Japanese people don’t bathe in bathtubs, they stick their closets to their ceilings with the help of special devices, and they don’t boil water in a kettle.

Bright Side editorial has gladly found out which peculiarities of Japanese houses and apartments bring both delight and horror to foreigners.

1. Many people in Japan sleep on mattresses, not beds.

12 Things in Japanese Apartments That Can Both Delight and Terrify Tourists

These poles have an adhesive base: they are glued to the closet or cabinet on one side, and to the ceiling on the other. For cabinets that are significantly lower than the ceiling (like a fridge, for example), they use special sticky pads that are glued on the legs on one side and to the floor on the other side. The reason for this is quite simple: if an earthquake takes place, poles won’t let the furniture fall.

10. Japanese kitchens often lack an oven.

12 Things in Japanese Apartments That Can Both Delight and Terrify Tourists © LiudmilaB / pixabay, © Jeremy Hall / flickr

Not every Japanese kitchen has the full-size ovens that we are used to. Instead, locals use microwave ovens that have all the necessary functions built into them. Also, many kitchens have a small oven for cooking fish under the stove.

11. Many people use water heaters instead of kettles.

12 Things in Japanese Apartments That Can Both Delight and Terrify Tourists © www.trek.today / flickr, © Amazon Customer / amazon

You might find a small water heater instead of a kettle in many Japanese kitchens. It is used to make tea, coffee, and brew noodles. It has a big advantage over an ordinary kettle — you can set the temperature lower than boiling temperature if you don’t need boiling water.

12. One of the main things everyone has at home here are humidity absorbers.

The climate in Japan is very humid which is why locals actively fight mold in the summers. They use airing and humidity absorbers as main preventive measures. The latter are usually put into closets and storage rooms. You can buy these things at any local pharmacy or in a home appliance store.

Would you like to visit a Japanese apartment and try all of these curious local things?