Japan uses three types of horoscopes.
The Western type astrology (based on which month you were born) is taken about as seriously as it is in Western countries…not too much.
I was born in November. Scorpio. Supposedly people born under this sign are organized.
Then there’s the Chinese zodiac which Japan imported. This one is based on which year you were born. It has a twelve year cycle.
I was born in 1969…Year Of The Rooster. Supposedly people born under this sign are organized.
The Chinese zodiac is more popular in Japan than the Western zodiac…but not as popular as blood types.
Japan’s own “zodiac” is based on your blood type.
The most common blood type in Japan is Type A. People with “A” type blood are said to be dependable and organized. I have “A” type blood. I’m an “A” blood-type, Scorpio, born in the Year of The Rooster…so, I guess I’m “organized”!
I’ve heard that the most common blood type in America is Type O. They’re said to be sociable, positive, and friendly.
Type B is wild and reckless.
Type AB is rational.
Everyone in Japan knows their own blood type and Japanese people are often surprised if they learn that many people in other countries don’t know their own blood type.
If you read about a new celebrity in a Japanese magazine, they will tell their name, age, hobbies, and blood type.
Sometimes a potential employer will ask your blood type at a job interview.
It’s quite popular in Japan. Many people take it seriously and are surprised it’s not used in other countries.
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Have you ever heard of the theme restaurants in Japan?
In Japan you can have dinner in a maid cafe, Dracula’s castle, a “hospital” themed restaurant, a “Samurai” themed restaurant, Alcatraz, “Alice’s Wonderland”, etc.
A couple friends and I recently ate the Alcatraz themed restaurant! We were escorted by guards to a “cell”, where we had dinner. Every once in a while, there would be a “prison break”!
It was fun.
I’m sure these types of theme restaurants are an “only in Japan” type of experience!
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Anyways, here’s a few pictures that I’ve taken around Tokyo last Spring (and hadn’t bothered to post them online til now!):
Tokyo Five 
This is an incredibly interesting and informative blog. Keep up the great writing, please.
I just had a cool infographic on Japanese blood-typing made for my new site phlebotomist.net. You can check it out here: http://www.phlebotomist.net/japanese-bloodtyping.
Thanks! Cate
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>This is an incredibly interesting and informative blog. Keep up the great writing, please.
Thank you.
>I just had a cool infographic on Japanese blood-typing made
Yes, that is a nice graphic.
How did you learn about Japanese “blood-type” horoscope?
Your site, by the way, is quite…unique. I don’t like blood much, so I couldn’t check out much of your site.
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Anthony….
Thanks for visiting my site and commenting.
>Seems like Americans are too uppity for heavily themed restaurants
You think so? Why’s that? They’re fun.
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Seems like Americans are too uppity for heavily themed restaurants. I think Medieval Times is about as close as we get. 🙂
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sfrunner…
>December 1951
1951 was the “Year Of The Rabbit”.
People born under that sign are said to be quiet, polite, friendly…and lucky.
The next “Year Of The Rabbit” will be 2011…your year!
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MB…
>does it matter whether you are a type positive or negative bloodtype?
That doesn’t matter.
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tokyo5, I have ‘B’ blood but you could hardly call me wild and reckless.
If this means anything, I was born December 1951 and am a Sagitarrius.
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Will you come organize my closet?
So does it matter whether you are a type positive or negative bloodtype? Like, if you are an A negative, does that mean you are very disorganized? 😉
I am a Type O Positive Virgo Monkey. I don’t know Anthony’s bloodtype, but he’s also a Scorpio Horse (I think he’s a horse), and no, he is not especially organized (at least not at home). I don’t buy into it all, but it’s fun anyways. =)
The jail-themed restaurant sounds wierd and fun. But a hospital-themed restaurant? Sounds icky. I’ve never heard of the themed-restaurants.
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