To say that the first few days in Japan were easy would be a lie, but I was expecting no different. What has made the last few days bearable has been the amazing people here. I say this now having gained my bearings and having gained a bit of insight into some of the cultural etiquette. Here are a few of the things that I’ve learned over the passed few days. Fortunately, I haven’t had any embarrassing moments; however, I have had some humorous ones.
Outside shoes are never to be worn past the entryway of the house.
Shoes can remain in the entryway; however, our house has wooden shoe boxes for each of the rooms.
Inside sandals must be taken off when entering the bathroom or kitchen.
There are communal slippers that are in each of these rooms. This is unfortunate for me, seeing as the “community” has very small feet.
When purchasing something, money should be placed in a tray if available, and is handed back in the same way.
Most Japanese store workers are aware of western customs, and will hand back cash to westerners, but it is polite to use the tray if available.
Vending machines are everywhere!
There are literally at least two vending machines on every corner, and there are several beer vending machines. They contain every kind of drink or cigarette imaginable. It is also important to note that just because something looks like water does not mean that it is water!
Notice, Tommy Lee Jones is a huge advert star in Japan.
The Japanese nearly worship forgotten American celebrities.
As seen on the vending machine, Tommy Lee Jones is huge in Japan! He’s the face of a popular brand of coffee drinks.
There are no public trash cans.
All trash in Japan is sorted into bottles, cans, containers, and general trash (possibly more categories?), and it is the responsibility of everyone to sort their own trash. Fortunately, there are can and bottle bins besides most vending machines, or else I would be carrying around a backpack full of empty bottles during my day. Also, most convenient stores that sell boxed lunches have sorting bins outside of the store.
Freshly prepared meals from convenient stores are cheaper, healthier, and more delicious than any convenient store meal in America!
These meals can be anything from salad to tempura(てんぷら）which can be fried vegetables or meats. Most dishes besides salads of course come with rice, which is soft, sticky and delicious.
Japanese things that are expensive in America are dirt cheap in Japan.
Sushi here is around $3 for an entire tray, and manga (Japanese comics popular in America) range from $3-$7, rather than $10 or above.
American fast food is only slightly more expensive but ten times tastier in Japan
The cheese on my Wendy’s double was actually melted, and there were two pieces. The only downside is that Japanese portions are smaller!
Wendy's in Japan!
The Japanese love English, but don’t always use it correctly.
This often leads to hilarity.
“Doing and another, there is a first time for everything” ~ girl’s t-shirt
“My desire love sweets” ~ girl’s t-shirt
Sometimes words are not enough…
Toilet use instructions.
One should stand on the left side of the escalator, to allow room for those that wish to walk.
Fruit can be very expensive.
About $6.50 for four apples; however, they are large and delicious.
A warning for the vertically gifted.
This image has not been tampered with; this is the door to my room.
The kindness and hospitality of the Japanese makes up for everything that one might find difficult to understand when first entering the country.