From their extra care for the elderly to how people walk on the street, Japan is a country like no other. Get ready for these 10 Japan culture shocks for your first trip to Japan!
In this article I want to share with you my top 10 Japan culture shocks. Here we go.
#1. Wheelchair-friendly
Everyone knows that in Japan everything is wheelchair-friendly. Well, really, everything is wheelchair-friendly and it’s so well done, that anywhere you go, the museum, the castle, the metro, everywhere you go, in the mall, there is a ramp for the wheelchair.
With low fertility rates and an aging population, Japan had to adapt its transportation infrastructure to accommodate the country’s elderly population. Japan has now become one the most wheelchair-friendly countries in the world with ramps, elevators, and/or attendants at all major points of access.
No-step busses have made it fairly easy for people in wheelchairs to get on and off public busses. These busses have very low floors and thus getting on the bus does not require to go up any steps. The busses even have hydraulic suspensions and tilt towards the sidewalk so that someone in a wheelchair can simply roll on the bus.
All metro, train, and elevated train stations have elevators going up or down to the platforms while the ticket scan-through entrances have dedicated lanes for wheelchair users.
Public toilets are especially extra-accommodating, with support rails for sinks, urinals and toilets.
This is civilization and this is what it means to take care of your own people.
#2. Election poster panels
You have elections? There are special panels where you put your election posters on. Not everywhere around the city on every single wall. The sizes of the posters must fit exactly in the allocated spots on the panels.
#3. Everything is organized
You know you’re in Japan when everything is organized. Even gas pipes are aesthetically arranged and organized. This way, it’s very clear which pipe or cable goes to which house.
#4. Passed out people
You’ll find people passed out on the streets. Well, it happens to anyone. I guess he had one too many to drink.
#5. Dignity of labour
What really, really impressed me in Japan is that there is dignity of labour. I mean, every job is respected, regardless whether it’s a blue-collar job, a salesperson, a shop-keeper, or a porter. Everyone can do their job and be respected for what they do. Just amazing.
Even the workers cutting the roadside grass had protective gear. On top of that, two people were holding a net to make sure the cut grass didn’t spread all over the sidewalk. Once done with their work, they neatly packed all their tools.
Salespeople in the market are mostly middle-aged or older women, and there’s no doubt about their dignity of labour. Younger men also work in the markets, enticing passers-by to sample their produce.
People working in construction are well protected and the areas they work in is visibly marked for both the worker’s and the public’s safety.
When it comes to operating big machinery, several attendants are on site making sure everything goes smoothly.
#6. The Japanese flag
You would expect more Japanese flag to flutter in the wind… It’s funny how the Japanese don’t really display their national flag that much. Probably it has something to do with World War 2 militarism.
Called the Hinomaru in Japanese, “the circle of the sun”, the flag of Japan was wildly used during the Second World War as Japan followed an aggressive campaign of conquering its Asian neighbours and establishing its empire.
#7. The price of bonsai
I thought if bonsai are everywhere, then they should be cheap, right? Wrong! They are ridiculously expensive. But beautiful, so it’s a form of art, so you’re paying for the art too.
There are many trees that can be used to create bonsai, a Japanese art form that uses small containers to grow miniaturized trees that resemble the shape and scale of full sized trees. The Desert Rose, with its bulbous trunk, is native of Thailand and is known in Japan as Japanese Frangipani.
#8. Vertical parking lots
The biggest parking lots are not horizontal but actually they are vertical.
Since land in Japan is a premium, building vertically can actually give you more space. After parking the car inside the door, it would automatically go up to it’s designated parking space.
#9. Curved escalators
Have you ever been on a curved escalator? I didn’t even know it’s possible.
Japan is known as a land of innovation and technology, so it shouldn’t be surprising that hotels have robot receptionists and toy stores have curved escalators.
#10. People are disciplined
Japanese people are famous for their discipline both at work and in public. Part of this is stemmed from Japan’s tradition of stoicism against all hardships, as portrayed in the spirit of Bushido.
Bonus #1. Thais love Japan
Japan is just full of Thai people. Ever since Japan has waived visas for Thai people, they have flocked to Japan.
With well over 1 million Thai tourists per year travelling to Japan, Thailand ranks among the top 5 countries that sent visitors to Japan.
Bonus #2. Old people playing go
When you’re in China, you expect people to play mahjong on the street. And they do! When you’re in Japan, you expect old people to play go on the street. And they do.
Although originally from China, the game of go is very popular in Japan where it was introduced in the 7th century. Did you know that go players are ranked according to a system similar to martial arts, with a 1st dan master being the equivalent of a black belt?
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