Misc. Japan

Interesting things I've learner about Japan...

- they have wagering on bicycle races. Like horse races, but with bicyclists. They also have little speed boats they race and wager on.

- youth sumo (I guess they've got to start somewhere)

- origami competitions (televised!)

- Hotels don't have room numbers ending in "4". shi means 4, shi also means death (although it's a different character), thus 4 is considered an unlucky number (e.g. don't give 4 of anything as a gift). Although, 'yon' also means 4, and is usually used instead of shi. Don't ask why, as that would lead me to some of the further vaguaries of the Japanese numbering system (i.e. the many different ways of counting things).