10 Most Bizarre Japanese Trends

6. Ganguro/Yamanba

Ganguro is a fashion trend followed by rebellious Japanese girls. The idea is to contradict the traditional Japanese beauty values - pale skin is replaced by over the top fake tan and colourful make up, while the classic black hair is bleached blonde. Ganguro translates to "black-faced".

We've got to say, given the choice between traditional Japanese beauty and Ganguro, we would have to fall on the traditional side. Ganguro girls look like spoiled Californian teens who have managed to get into their mum's makeup box without permission. Yamanba is an off-shoot of Ganguro - the term literally translates to "Mountain Hag". Yamanba girls use extremely dark fake tan, brightly dyed hair, stark white lipstick, facial stickers and coloured contact lenses to achieve their terrifying, zombie witchdoctor-esque image. For anyone who has played Skyrim, Yamanba remind us of 21st century Hagravens who have been given an extreme make-over. In Japan's defense, I suppose Ganguro and Yamanba are no more terrifying than the demented creatures featured in shows such as Jersey Shore, Made in Chelsea, etc.