With only a few more days left in Japan, I have amassed a wealth of information to take with me even after the conclusion of the program. Being in a completely foreign country forced me out of this safe, comfortable bubble I have lived in for most of my life and allowed me the chance to adapt to my new surroundings. The best learning really does occur through experience, and these past two weeks have taught me more than any textbook ever could. One of the more interesting things I have learned is the nuances in the everyday life of the Japanese people. On the first day of orientation after we arrived in Japan, Ibaraki-sensei mentioned the proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” which essentially advises oneself to follow the customs of the place being visited. I have taken this advice to heart and the following are some of the social complexities I have noticed during my time in Japan.
Transportation
The transportation system in Japan is highly reliable and practical. Unlike the U.S. where most people drive to their destination, the majority of people here use the public transit system. While it may seem daunting to navigate the train system, it gets easier after a couple tries and having a GPS navigator such as Google Maps definitely helps. Having used the chaotic New York subway system before, I now have such a deep appreciation for the trains in Japan. Even during peak rush hours, people are still respectful of each other and keep quiet, making for an overall pleasant train ride. I have noticed many commuters use this time to catch up on sleep. Therefore, it is important to note that talking loudly on trains is very much frowned upon. My favorite is the shinkansen, or the bullet train, which has a maximum operating speed of 200 mph. It is also incredibly roomy with more than enough leg space and comfy seats. We have been using the shinkansen for our second week of travel, allowing us to traverse across Japan and explore different cities.
The shinkansen
Food
Japanese food, simply put, is delicious. The first meal I had upon arriving in Japan was from 7-Eleven, a convenience store, and I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of selections to choose from. They even heat up your food when you are checking-out if you wish! Food truly is one of the best ways to gain insight into local culture since it is a reflection of the people who eat it. Many of the staple dishes in Japan have a rich history behind it. For example, the ever-popular sushi can be traced back as a method of preservation for fish in fermented rice. Each different geographical region in Japan adds its own unique culinary twist to its dishes. These past few days, we have been traveling all across Japan visiting different cities, which allowed us to encounter a diverse array of foods. In Hiroshima, I had their famous okonomiyaki, which is characterized by its thin layer of batter and a genorous layer of cabbage on top of soba noodles in addition to other toppings. In Fukuoka, I had their Hakata ramen which is different from other ramen by their distinct thin noodles in a creamy tonkotsu soup and slices of chashu. An interesting thing to note is that it is impolite to walk and eat simultaneously. As someone who does this all the time when I am rushing across campus to get to my next class, I found this social etiquette very hard to follow. Fortunately, it does seem to keep the streets clean from litter.
Okonomiyaki
Hakata ramen
Hygiene
Japan is incredibly clean. Even in a major city like Tokyo, rarely do I find a snack wrapper on the ground. I have noticed that trashcans can be hard to come across outside of stores and train stations, but is still cleaner than the U.S. where trashcans are aplenty. Instead, people are trusted to hold on to their own trash until they are able to dispose of it accordingly. At restaurants, wet towels/napkins are provided before a meal for cleaning hands. Across the country, face masks are worn daily by countless individuals as a way to keep germs at bay. It is also customary to take shoes off before entering homes and certain restaurants.
Fashion
Japan appears to be a very style-conscious country. Whether it be at a higher-end restaurant or the nearby convenience store, everyone looks dressed for success. For women, long, flowy pants/skirts seem to be common along with dresses, and shoulders are usually covered. For men, nice collared shirts are a staple along with long pants, as athletic shorts are generally not worn. There is definitely no such thing as being over-dressed in Japan. This was especially apparent when I visited Harajuku, which is known for its eccentric style and over-the-top street-style.
Takeshita Street of Harajuku
Other cultural differences I noticed
- Toilets: I have yet to come across a dirty restroom. The toilets are built in with multiple functions such as playing music, a bidet, and a seat warmer.
- Punctuality: Not only are the people always in a hurry to get to their destination on time, elevators are in a rush too! Unless someone in the elevator presses the “open” button, the doors close in a few seconds.
- Money trays: Instead of directly handing the money to the person, it is customary to place it on the small tray that is on the counter.
- No take-outs: Food ordered at the restaurant are meant to be eaten right away, so many establishments do not allow leftovers to be taken home. I have also noticed that none of the hotels I have stayed at thus far have microwaves present.
- Tall-buildings: Space is limited in Japan, so buildings are designed upwards. A single building could accommodate multiple shops and restaurants.
- Keep-left: Since cars are driven on the left side of the road, it generally noted that people walk on the left side. Train stations even have arrows to help direct the flow of traffic.
- Walk-signs: There is absolutely no jaywalking in Japan. Even when the streets are empty, people are still expected to wait until the walk-sign indicator turns green.