Hiyaaaa,
Reporting from back home for an inside look into Japan, things that I've noticed throughout my visits to Japan; 'only in Japan', things that you will only find here and also a few cultural things and a few tips when visiting. I've tried to explain/display them best I can!
Don't cross on red
We've all done it, a red light but no traffic around so why not just walk and cross the street?! When the light's red in Japan, it's red and you wait. You do not cross the street, even if you see no cars. I've seen people cross smaller crossings, but still most don't. And neither did I, it's funny how it's one of the things you just seem to copy. It makes life easy here. You follow the rules with little exceptions and don't have to think too much about anything and so red means stop and green means go. Mind you, this was the case all those years ago everywhere I went and also during my time in and around Fukuoka. We did notice though that it wasn't as strictly in the bigger, more touristy places. But still most people waited. I must say, I haven't crossed on red ever since I got back. Patience, dear.
Transportation; cars, trains, trams, buses.
A lot of people think the cars here are ugly, I LOVE them. A lot of them look like miniature versions and I would take one home if I could. Now they are also super modern, I've been in two ubers/taxis and both had electric doors, looooved it! Driving is also done with patience, just as crossing the street is. No need to rush and everybody is very polite.
Public transportation, there's trams, subways, buses, JRs, Shinkansen, ferry and fast boats. And, well not part of the public transportation but there are also a lot of bikes! Not in every city but we did see a lot in Fukuoka and Osaka and parts of Tokyo. Some places have bike lanes but you'll see a lot of them just using the same sidewalk as pedestrians. But again, there's room for everyonem nobody yells, honks or whatever.
You'll need a ticket for Shinkansen and JRs and if you'd like, you can reserve a seat. Cash or card, you can get tickets in advance as well, lines can get pretty busy. So if you can, get a few in advance and you can always add a seat reservation at a later time as well. Also look into the different rail passes! Might save you some money! You also need a ticket for subways, but in some you can also use your credit or debit card to check in and out. Now it's a different story when it comes to buses and trams, you can use a public transport card (you can also use this for the subways) or pay cash. Trams usually have a set price, you pay this when getting off. Buses is a whole other experience, you take a paper ticket when you get on the bus, it gives you the number of the stop you got on. Then there's a screen in front of the bus giving you all the numbers with the amount you have to pay, the more stops you make, the higher the amount will get. You then pay the amount that is under the number on your ticket, you put the exact amount plus the paper ticket in a box next to the driver when getting off. If you don't have the exact amount, you can use the change machines, only valid for changing coins or ¥1000 bills! It sounds complicated but it's fun :-)!!! And everthing is pretty much on time, again, you know what to expect and there's no surprises. Oh and don't forget, you get on in the back and off in the front. On trams there's usually two spots of getting off, front and wherever somebody else is standing to check everbody pays (the correct amount).
When using the subways (and also trains), and I learned this my first time around, it is very important to pay attention which exit you (have to) take when walking out of the station. Exits can be super far apart from eachother so pay attention! For sightseeing/hotspots, it's easier to find your way out as the exit mentions whatever you're looking for. There's also often a map to see which exit you need to take.
No eating, drinking, calling on cellphones or having loud conversations. You an eat and drink however on JR trains and Shinkansens! Also, priority seats are for pregnant women, elderly, etc. I've often seen these spots remain empty, even when it's a 'full house'. And I loved watching, observing people. In Fukuoka I noticed only about 10% used their cellphones, and even when they did, some where just reading comics. The percentage was a lot higher during weekends and in busier cities. During the week and outside of the busy areas, you'll notice there almost no working crowd, it's youger people or older people (retired) or housewives/moms. It's also uncommon for men to sit in between females. In busy cities, there's even a womens only cart!
Trash
Streets are super clean. There's no trash cans either nor do you see people picking up trash. People don't normally eat or drink on the street. I remember a few years back when I ate an apple in line at Disney and people stared at me. There's nowhere to put the trash and so always bring a plastic bag with you in case you do have trash. 7elevens/Family Mart/Lawson have trash cans since you can buy food, snacks, drinks there and so it's a good place to get rid of trash as well. There's little trash cans in restrooms, but they are only there for 'restroom trash'. Restrooms are everywhere by the way, clean and free if charge!! Sidenote; there were more trashcans and places to get rid of your trash in the bigger, touristy cities. And also when taking the Shinkansen since you're allowed to eat and drink on them.
Convenience stores
About the 7elevens, Lawsons, Family Marts, convenience stores. They are everywhere and there's almost no real supermarkets. But I feel most people eat out all the time here anyway. But they are a great place to get hot/cold drinks, hot/cold snacks, ice cream, (small) meals and some fruit. But also, chargers, socks, you name it. And they usually have an ATM as well! So it's usually an everyday stop!
Vending machines
Another place to get drinks easily is out of one of the many vending machines, they are everywhere! Sometimes a bunch of them in a row. You'll sometimes see a trash can next to it but only for empty bottles. And some of the vendingmachines don't have drinks but snacks, cake, games, etc. Another reason to always have ¥100 coins and ¥1000 bills or a public transport card.
Matcha
Matcha, everything matcha; matcha tea, matcha kitkat, matcha latte, you name it, they've got it!
Politeness
I mentioned it before but people are super polite. Everything is done with respect, they will help you anyway they can. And don't forget to always bow and say thank you. The bowing has become part of my almost every move as well since day 1.
Traditional vs modern
The thing I've always liked about Japan, the contrast between traditional and modern. You can be in the busiest streets but still find a shrine, a park, a temple where it is so zen, calm and quiet that you forget everything around you. I must say most of what I've done alone was very quiet. I hardly spoke and it almost felt like a silent retrait. I also didn't think about things. Red means stop and on buses or stations, you follow what others do or whatever the 'floor told you to do'. Lines that took you to the correct trains, or the correct spot to stand to get on. And it sounds like a tape is played at stations or buses or even when paying for something. I had no idea what was being said, but we are all equals. At times, I thought of robots because everybody seems to follow, but I didn't mind because on the inside everything was quiet and I was also able to completely immerse myself into the customs and their culture and enjoy Japan almost as a local.
And then again, with alk the gadgets around, I notice the 'train guys' at station use papers with all routes and train times. Its funny how a country this modern, still rather relies on non electronic ways sometimes.
Umbrella locker
It's things like these that you go, wow, why don't we have that here? And on the other hand, do we really need that?! That's a lot of Japan haha.
Small bags
People looooove bags here. They do charge for bags these days, which is good (even if it's just a few cents for us). A lot of people won't have plastic bags with them though but they use reusable bags. Some will have 5 with....whatever. I saw these businessmen on the street one day and one of them had a paper shoppingbag from a fancy store but it didn't carry anything from there, just his lunch.
Safe, supersafe
I mentioned this before when I got into a strangers car. It's super safe and a delight to travel around alone and as a female alone. UI read if u loose your wallet, it will still be there next day. I did see some items left behind in restrooms that made me believe this to be true!
Work, work, drink
The dressing up, the childlike themes, games, Disney songs, I'm sure it's because life sucks as an adult. They always work, they almost get no time off, which is why they do things like a 7day Europe trip! And even with that, it's not loyal to leave your colleagues with your work so some don't take time off at all. And outside of working hours, you have to drink with the boss, sounds fun, but to do so everyday and sleeping in the street because of that and back to work after..? It's also a country with a low birth rate and a high suicide rate. To be fair, if I would only have 7days off a year...
Final tips
Make sure you have small bills (¥1000) and coins (¥100). If you need change, pay cash in a 7eleven, Lawson, etc. they have machines for cash and so it's not a problem. This is also the case for Daiso, my favorite Japanese shop. It's kind of the Japanese version of our Action (on steroids)! Also in stations when getting tickets. Download offline maps, just in case. A lot of streets won't have street names so a paper map makes it harder. But also know, people are super friendly and help you when they can! You can also get a sim with data but I've never done that, I like being offline :-)! You don't need to bring a lot, you can buy whatever you need and usually get brushes, razors, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers, often even pyjamas in hotels!
Gosh, there's so much more I could tell you! But I hope I've given you a bit of an inside look into Japan and my/our trip here! Now go, go and explore a country that is unlike any other country I've been to and will definitely visit again and again!
Cheers,
T.
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