10 Things You'll Only See In Japan

photo: https://travel.watch.impress.co.jp/img/trw/docs/1125/339/html/35_o.jpg.html

Everyone knows that Japan is practically another planet. So many things are different; from the culture to the technology, the language and even food. There are SO many things that you'll see and experience in Japan that you wouldn't anywhere else in the world.

Here are some that surprised me the most, and every time I visit I keep finding more! Stay tuned for a part 2, 3, etc.

1. Airport Ground Crew Bowing and Waving To Your Airplane

As you start to taxi down the runway, make sure to look outside at the ground crew as you pass. Yup it’s unlike anywhere else and super friendly.

2. Smoking Indoors Is Allowed, Smoking Outside Isn’t

There are smoking booths located outside so you can go in there to smoke. And every train has both smoking cars and smoking rooms, as do airports. Of course you can smoke anywhere in pretty much every bar and restaurant. But don’t even dare light up outside unless in a specially marked smoking zone (usually found in front of most 7-11's).

*2022 update: smoking is no longer allowed in most establishments that serve food

3. And Cigarette Lighters Get Left At The Bar (But Never Stolen)

Fact. There are often communal lighters left on the bar for everyone to share and nobody walks off with it by accident or otherwise.

4. You’ll See Unlocked Bicycles - Even In Tokyo

Some people use these efficient looking locks that keep the wheel locked to the bike so no one can ride off with it (though you could always walk off with it) or they just don’t bother to lock their bikes at all.

Coming from Toronto which feels like the bike theft capital of Canada, this lil tidbit floored me. The idea of leaving a bike unlocked for a even minute outside a store, bar, or restaurant seems like the worst idea ever. But in Japan, stealing a bike tops that because if the police stop you and you can't prove ownership of the bike, you're gonna go to jail. That is the very, VERY worst idea in Japan.

*2022 update: I've since learned most of the bikes ARE locked, however they are flimsy built in locks that go around the back wheel. I'm pretty sure anyone could pick them with a bobby pin or they could just pick the bike up.

5. People Use Their Laptops/Cell Phones/Purses/Valuables To Save Seats

Apparently this is super common. The first time I noticed it was in a busy Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing. This is the busiest intersection, in the most populated city in the world. And people were just leaving their expensive laptops, briefcases, cell phones, backpacks, etc. on seats in order to save them while they went to order or to the bathroom.

I can’t imagine leaving something valuable out of sight for even a second at home or anywhere else. The first night I was in Hong Kong, I had my purse stolen when I sat it down right beside me for a moment! So you can believe this blew my mind. But people in Japan just don’t steal.

6. Hello Kitty Pylons - Everywhere

From the moment you land in Japan you’ll start to see them dividing lanes and directing traffic and doing so adorably. Hello. Kitty. Pylons. It’s true, everything in Japan is kawaii.

*2022 update: you'll also find Ultraman pylons, Doraemon pylons, cute cartoon turtle pylons, etc.

7. You Can Nap In Drinking Establishments 

If you were to get caught nodding off or outright sleeping at a bar in Canada or the United States, you'd better believe you're going to get thrown out faster than you can order another drink. But in Japan, it's a whole other beast. Most bars are open all night long, but public transit stops around 12:30am.

With a six hour gap between when the subway starts back up again, this is pretty much inevitable. It's a touch better than falling asleep on the street - but trust me, you'll see that too. Business men will be out cold on the sidewalk, but the only time anyone interferes is to push their briefcase closer to them, or something like that.

8. Beer For Children

Drinking is so normal in Japan that even the kids are involved. To be fair, it is non-alcoholic, and packed full of vitamins and minerals but it still looks and tastes like beer.

The idea of including your children when you socialize is nice, and imagining little munchkins pretending to be wasted is pretty hilarious if you ask me. But nobody asked me, and I can never imagine pretend beer marketed to kids ever being allowed in North America.

9. This View

Enough said.

10. Everything Is Very, Very, Serious Business

Whether it’s a Rock & Roll gig or a Rock Paper Scissors competition, people in Japan don’t play around. Everyone is outrageously good at their hobby and takes it very seriously.

It almost seems like Japanese people take their hobbies to career commitment levels, which seems hard because so many also take their careers very seriously too. It makes me wonder how people have so much time to get so good at so many things but that is just how it is.