Japanese customs that may seem unusual to us (21 photos)

An American named Ryan lives in Tokyo and talks in his TikTok about their experience. His video project called "Things in Japan, from which an American would fall into a coma "very popular: guy shares his emotions and, so to speak, culture shock. Well, it must be Japan is not like home!





1. Children move around the street on their own from 5-6 years old



Children start walking to and from school unaccompanied adults (on foot, and maybe by public transport) aged five or six years old. So if you see a child walking in alone, he's fine. He usually just walks to or from school. schools.

2. Separate garbage collection is the norm





When you rent a property, you are given a collection calendar garbage. I have six different trash cans, each for a different species. garbage, and they are all thrown out on different days. And it works everywhere - on street, cafe. Once you get used to it, the usual approach to collecting garbage begins to seem wasteful.

3. Medical masks are still in use



In Japan, masks are still worn everywhere. Yes, even when people go out for a walk in their area, in 99% of cases they will be wearing masks. Covid rules have long been canceled, but it is so ingrained in culture that people refuse to take off their masks for fear of being judged. Obviously, it's also just caring for other people: the Japanese are very attentive to your neighbour.

4. Smartphone camera shutter click cannot be disabled



Every phone in Japan has a shutter sound when you take a picture and it can't be turned off. This is due to the ban on photographing people without their knowledge. So if you go to some place, like a museum or something like that, you just you will hear the shutter sound all the time. To bypass this rule, you have to buy a smartphone abroad (some do).

5. The station can have its own musical theme



Most stations have a musical theme. For example me frequent the Takadanobaba area and they play the theme song from anime Astro Boy because Takadanobaba is the birthplace of Astro Boy.

6. When the train is delayed, you are issued a certificate of delay



If the train is delayed, the staff will bring you densha chien shoumeisho, certificate of being late. However, this happens very rare as public transportation in Japan usually operates as watch. But if you are late for work or school due to the fault of the public transport, you must have a certificate that confirms this.

7. Kindergarten teacher carries children on a cart



This is everywhere in Japan. When I first saw this picture, I was terribly surprised. But this is normal practice for children. gardens. Such carts are used to deliver somewhere kids from kindergarten or just take a walk around the neighborhood.

8. In the cinema, no one gets up until the end credits are over.



After the end of the film, the Japanese sit silently in their seats and waiting for the credits to roll. It is not customary to get up and leave the hall immediately, this is disrespectful to those who are still sitting. And you can't disturb people.

9. Hairdressers love to invite foreigners as models.



If you are a foreigner, you are very often invited to stay barber model. Especially if you are in places like Shibuya, Harajuku or Omotesando. The barbers just come up and ask if you want a free haircut because they need portfolio models.

10. People in Japan can sleep anywhere.



The Japanese work very hard and have little rest. Some work from 9am to 10amevenings. Therefore, it is very common to see people sleeping on the train. Sometimes they even fall asleep on your shoulder and somehow magically wake up at their bus stop.

11. Any restaurant will give you a wet towel.



In any cafe and restaurant you will always be given what is called erroneous, something like a wet towel. Even at Starbucks. And it's very nice, because sometimes a dry tissue is no good.

12. In Tokyo, there is the concept of "Crisis Shibuya"



Men, mostly employees, after a day's work go to Shibuya area to relax and have a drink, and where they can fall asleep whatever. This is called the "Shibuya Crisis". The last train leaves at 12 night, and the next only at 5 am. So if you're late then stay in Shibuya. People sleep there literally on the streets, in the most random places. And then they wake up and go home (or immediately to work).

13. 80% of landlords refuse foreigners



If you are a foreigner and are looking for rental accommodation in Japan, then be ready for the surprise. Of the 10 options that you like, you will only a couple are available. The rest will not agree to rent you an apartment, because you are a foreigner. And even the fact that you speak Japanese is not will help.

14. When you finally rented an apartment, you pay "money for the key"



When you rent an apartment in Japan, you have to pay something called "reykin", money for the key. They are also called gifts. money. Because it's literally a gift to your landlord. for allowing you to live in this apartment. The amount is equivalent monthly rent and it's not a deposit, you'll never get it back. You just say thank you to the owner of the apartment.

15. Gas stations look unusual



This is what our fillings look like. There are no pumps on earth probably for safety. But I'm not too sure. And some of them are so high that you have to tie ropes so that they can be was to go down. But you get used to everything!

16. Bills mostly come on paper.



Basically all bills still have to be paid manually. That is, they come by mail and you need to go with them and pay their cash. Somewhere there is already an opportunity to do this online, but not everywhere. In addition, it's all in Japanese and quite complicated. navigate.

17. Everyone in Japan always has reusable towels.



Reusable towels are used even at work and in in public places. Yes, we do have hand dryers in the restrooms, but I have a feeling that in Japan they have all gone out of order since the start of the pandemic. They all don't work.

18. In Japan, it is customary to buy food at KFC for Christmas.



I'm not kidding, on December 25 people literally line up in queue. The reason they do this is because Americans eat turkey for Thanksgiving, but in Japan buy a turkey it is forbidden. Thus, they associate Americans with chicken, so with In the 1980s, it became a tradition to buy chicken at KFC at Christmas.

19. Few people in Japan use clothes dryers.



There are probably only separate machines for drying clothes. rich. And even then, most likely, these are washing machines with a drying function, and it's not that good. Washing machines are often on the balcony, here's how I have. There is not enough space for drying clothes and you have to somehow pervert. A when it's cold outside, clothes take much longer to dry, than in summer.

20. It is literally impossible to have a pet.



It's the same with renting an apartment. Even when you turn to shelter, you're not allowed to officially adopt an animal. I'm lucky: I I found an understanding person who helped me. In general, this is a problem.