Ever sunbathed topless? How about totally nude? Expedia conducted an opinion poll across 21 countries to gather information on people’s holiday habits, and managed to slip in some cheeky questions on how much clothing people were willing to do without at the beach.
A total of 8,301 people responded, with over 300 per country. The countries surveyed were the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, India, Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Holland, and New Zealand.
According to the results, Germans are the most likely to chill out at the beach in their birthday suit, with 17% indulging in a bit of nude sunbathing. Japan seems positively prudish at 5%, but they’re actually more likely to get their kit off than any of the other Asian countries surveyed. On the other hand, perhaps people from Asian countries are just more sensible; no clothes plus lots of sand usually equals a rather uncomfortable experience!
If it’s just going topless, then 40% of Danes enjoy having a bit of a breeze on their top half, while Malaysians like to keep their assets covered with a grand total of 0%.
However, when asked what they liked to spend their time doing when not at the beach, the most likely nation to choose “getting cosy with my significant other” was Malaysia, followed by Brazil, Holland, Korea, Mexico, and India. Japan came bottom; if you’re thinking of whisking your Japanese lover away for a romantic beach getaway, it might not be quite the right location to put them in the mood!
Malaysia also scored highest for respondents who wanted to “get cosy with someone I met on holiday”. So Malaysians may not be comfortable with showing their skin in public, but it seems like they’re pretty forward in a one-on-one situation!
You might think splashing about in the sea is a standard beach activity, but only 45% of Japanese people surveyed said they enjoy “going in the sea” when at the beach, the lowest of all countries. Japan also comes bottom for other popular beach activities such as “going for a walk” and “people watching”!
So can anyone tell me what Japanese people actually do at the beach? Sleep?!





Only 11% of Japanese people “willing to fight for their country”
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】