Priority seat

On Respect for the Aged Day in 1973, JR created priority seats for elderly passengers. The seats were colored silver—partly because silver fabric was readily available—and from there, the association of “silver = elderly” spread nationwide.

70%

The world is vast, but isn’t it surprising that 70% of its surface is ocean? Even knowing the oceans are extensive, it’s hard to grasp; the sea is 2.5 times larger than the land. Thinking about it that way makes Japan feel very small, doesn’t it?

mandarin orange

We harvest about 75 tons of mandarins annually. Apples come in second, and the third place varies significantly depending on the year. Mandarins, which can be peeled by hand and are easy for both children and adults to eat, are a classic winter fruit, aren’t they?

Mr./Ms. Sato

First place is Mr./Ms. Sato, second is Mr./Ms. Suzuki, and third is Mr./Ms. Takahashi. I thought Mr./Ms. Tanaka, often used as a sample name, would be the most common, but Tanaka came in fourth.

Great Buddha

Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, the Ushiku Daibutsu is a bronze standing statue that stands 120 meters tall. It is the largest not only in Japan but also in the world, and it has been recognized by Guinness World Records. The interior of the statue is divided into five floors, which are open to visitors. It’s said that each floor presents a fantastical world.

Murasaki

It is said that this name dates back to the Edo period, when soy sauce was thinner than it is now and had a reddish tint that made it appear purple. Separately, it is also said to carry the meaning that purple was a symbol of nobility and, since soy sauce was expensive at the time, it was considered a precious item.

eyelid

The thinnest skin on the body is on the eyelids. Like the eyelids, the earlobes, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the feet also have thin skin compared to other parts of the body. Conversely, the thickest skin is on the heels.

cabbage

The outer part that forms the shell of a cream puff is called a “chou.” Because its fluffy appearance resembles a cabbage, the French word for cabbage, “chou,” was used in its name.

professional wrestler

With a blessed physique—192 centimeters tall and weighing 85 kilograms—he was a history-making professional wrestler who fought in around 300 matches and suffered only a single loss. His transition from such a stellar wrestling career to becoming president is astonishing, isn’t it?

spiciness

It sounds like an answer that makes you think, “No way, right?” That sensation of eating something spicy and feeling like you’re breathing fire while shouting “Spicy!!” — what is it? It’s actually pain that stimulates the pain receptors, not taste. Humans have five basic tastes: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness, and umami.