Last week we asked YOU, our readers, about surprising cultural differences in Japan you experienced while living there or visiting. We had tons of responses! While some were expected and well-known, others were a little more unheard of. Here’s what you shared with us! A huge thanks to everyone who contributed.
Author’s Note: The following article examines culture shocks and surprises visitors and immigrants from other countries experienced while living in Japan. Experiences are personal to each individual, and comparisons may vary depending on culture. This article is meant to be a lighthearted take on various culture differences in Japan (both positive and negative), and is by no means an attempt to bash or criticize Japan, or any other culture. You may agree with some, and may have even experienced some for yourself! However, if you find yourself in disagreement with any of the quoted Tweets, we ask that you remain courteous and refrain from criticizing or bashing the individual. Any questions may be respectfully asked at the bottom of this article, or on Unseen Japan’s social media post.
1. Banking and Financial Transactions
Japan is famous for its advanced technology on so many fronts. Unfortunately, banking (and general business transactions) is not one of them.
This isn’t only a “foreigner’s problem”, however. Many Japanese people are also well aware of the inconveniences of many everyday transactions. (You can read more about that in a previous write-up about Japanese banking here).
Online banking is not as prevalent in Japan as in other countries. Some the most basic processes require a number of steps (and tons of paperwork)! The use of outdated technology such as bankbooks and hanko also delay many processes. Finally, the fact that ATMs operate on banking hours seems to defeat the purpose of ATMs.
This complicated system exists in many other financial transactions, too, such as getting a cell phone, and registering for subscriptions and memberships (such as gym memberships). Certain prerequisites also make some of these more challenging for tourists and immigrants, such as requiring a Japanese bank or credit card.
On a positive note, one of the more convenient culture differences in Japan is the ability to pay for some transactions at the konbini! Who ever imagined you could pay your electric bill while picking up milk at 7-11?
2. Shopping Surprises
The first surprise that threw me (and many others apparently) for a loop when shopping in Japan was the existence of a theme song for practically every major store. (I can’t be the only one often returning home with the Donki jingle playing in my head.)
And it’s not only the stores. Everything has a jingle in Japan! From garbage trucks that sound like ice cream trucks, to the cute little ditty signaling that your train is arriving, I found Japan to be a very musical country – even outside the music scene.
Next is the availability of vending machines, quite literally, everywhere. From the populated shopping areas, to that lone machine in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention the variety! If you thought vending machines were only for sodas and water, think again! Japan has truly innovated the concept of vending machine technology, offering hot drinks, cold drinks, ice cream, beer, and even soup!
3. Schools and Education
Japan places a high standard on education, often ranking amongst the top 10 in the world. However, when it comes to the effectiveness of the curriculum for certain subjects (namely, English), it leaves much to be desired.
In my own experience as an English instructor in Japan, I was surprised at the lack of creativity in employing native speakers in the classroom. My excitement to bring new games and lesson ideas into my class was quashed when I learned that the majority of lessons would have me standing silently until the time came to repeat the same example sentences that the accompanying audio CD would have played had I not been there.
I actually had several discussions with the teachers about this. To my surprise, some even agreed, simply lamenting that, unfortunately, we couldn’t do that “because it’s not in the textbook”. It saddened me that curriculums were designed to teach for tests, and not for practical use. I would love to see more expansion in Japan’s English curriculum in the future! (Read more about Japan’s English education and my experience in my previous write-up here!)
A more light-hearted surprise within Japanese schools is the numerous “costume changes”. Kids need a special outfit for everything! Not only are there regular school uniforms – you also have gym clothes, lunch wear (a hat and apron), swim suits, indoor and outdoor shoes… and possibly more depending on the school and subjects!
4. A Feeling of Safety (for Some)
While Japan is certainly not a 100% crime-free paradise (despite low crime rates and super-high conviction rates), in comparison to many other countries, it can seem like a safe haven for many.
I know I felt safer walking through unknown neighborhoods in Japan at night than I often did in my own hometown of NYC. A neighbor even laughed at me once when they found out I locked all the locks on my door.
Here’s another safety-related surprises our followers noted:
This also shocked me when I worked at an elementary school. I’d bump into students as young as 6 walking to school by themselves. I’d even see kids their age riding the trains! One of the culture differences in Japan is that children learn to become independent from a very young age. In fact, a child may even be teased of being “too spoiled” if they’re accompanied to school by a parent!
NOTE: While Japan feels relatively safe for some, this experience can vary – especially for women. The tendency of the police to ignore sexual assault and groping crimes, for example, is legendary.
5. Bathroom Bewilderment
On a more serious note, one of the most surprising things for residents was the lack of bathroom soap… and sometimes the lack of hand washing in general. Click To TweetBathrooms have so many surprises, they get their own category! First, there’s the contrast between super high-tech toilets (equipped with seat warmers, bidets, and butt-dryers) and antique hole-in-the ground style squats just one stall down.
Then there’s the other extra feature (no, really, this is EXTRA)… the waterfall button! Many public restrooms feature the Otohime, a mini speaker in each stall that plays the sound of water flowing. The purpose? To mask the sound of nature’s call! Though the bathroom is indeed where you’re supposed to do business, some consider it rude to let others hear your tinkles and splashes (while others simply find it embarrassing).
(I’ll be honest, though. I’ve sometimes questioned the effectiveness of these speakers in masking, um, louder bathroom noises. I certainly wouldn’t mind a track with trumpets!)
On a more serious note, one of the most surprising things for residents was the lack of bathroom soap… and sometimes the lack of handwashing in general.
In our COVID-19 times, this is a topic that has gained even more importance. But why the lack of soap in the first place? Apparently, it’s common practice for Japanese people to carry personal hygiene products with them. That includes toothbrushes, mini hand towels, and… soap! Many carry sanitizer around as well.
However, with the recent COVID-19 outbreak, some places have taken efforts to make soap available in more public restrooms, especially in larger establishments like department stores, and some populated metropolitan area. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution, and remember to bring your own!
Another plus about bathrooms? They’re everywhere in Japan! And they have trash cans inside! Although, as we’ve discussed before, it’s hard outside of bathrooms to find public trash cans in Japan…
6. Ancient Technology… from the Future!
Many businesses still rely on fax machines, which can sometimes delay processes that could be completed in half the time with an email. Click To TweetSpeaking of contrasts in technology, what’s the deal with faxes? More than a handful of followers included this in their lists of surprises. Despite Japan’s high-tech toilets and love for computers and technology, office equipment seems a bit behind the times.
Many businesses still rely on fax machines, which can sometimes delay processes that could be completed in half the time with an email. There are still some businesses that barely use email.
Free wifi, though certainly more common now than several years ago, is still not as widespread as in some Western countries. While many places certainly do have wifi, many old-fashioned offices still run on dial-up, so you may want to check in advance when traveling.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some machines may seem a little TOO advanced to the unaccustomed tourist. While it certainly is helpful for vehicles to announce wide turns or the next stop, there are some machines people wished were a little less vocal.
7. Surprises in the Home
When living in a new country, some of the most surprising things are often in your own home! One common shock for new residents is the structure of traditional Japanese buildings. Many lack the kind of insulation and heating common to western buildings. Because of this, immigrants often find their first winter in Japan colder than they anticipated.
Most Japanese people rely on space heating, such as kotatsu and heated blankets, in the winter. And while many buildings are equipped with a heater/AC wall device, these are designed to heat/cool one room at a time. Central heating and AC is simply not as common.
But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Curling up under the toasty kotatsu while snacking on mikan are one of the joys of winters in Japan!
One more household shock is the availability of washing machines, but the lack of dryers. This is also common in Japan, as many people hang their wash outside. Take this as an opportunity to save on your electric bill!
8. Public Transportation
One of my favorite surprises was the impeccable accuracy of Japanese public transportation. Not only did most stations have accurate train schedules, they almost always arrived exactly on the dot. Buses were pretty accurate too, with the exception of rush hour traffic.
However, one surprise that isn’t as pleasant for new residents is the rush hour train crowd. Trains tend to get pretty packed in most metropolitan areas during rush hour, and the last train. If you’re not a fan of crowds (or just prefer personal space), you may want to avoid traveling at these hours if possible.
9. Sex, Nudity, and Taboo
Next we reach Japan’s unique take on sex, sexual education, and nudity in general. For foreign residents who may be used to growing up under one end of the spectrum (either super conservative towards sex, or super open about it), Japan seems to fall in between… and at different ends of the spectrum at times, depending on the situation!
On one hand, people grow up regularly exposed to nudity (pun totally intended), such as public baths and hot springs. Families often bathe together, and complete strangers walk around stark naked without batting an eye in gym locker rooms. Because of this, nudity itself is not viewed as sexual or taboo. However, in the office, if you show your shoulders, it’s considered “bearing too much” and therefore, inappropriate.
Contrary to this open acceptance of non-sexual nudity, however, sexual nudity is a completely different story. By Japanese law, any lawfully-produced adult content for distribution (pornography, erotic magazines, and even manga, anime, and games) must censor or pixelate the genital area. Violations are punishable by fines or even imprisonment.
However, many people are comfortable enough with it that you’ll often find them openly reading hentai on the train. Also, don’t be surprised to see adult magazines on the rack right next to the kids’ comics in the convenience stores!
10. Japan is NOT a Magical Anime Dream Paradise!
There are tons of other culture differences in Japan awaiting tourists and immigrants alike, too many to possibly include all of them here! However, I would like to close with one final difference that should be obvious, but sometimes is overlooked.
Japan is NOT a magical anime dream paradise land. Japan is a regular country, just like yours and mine, with its own traditions, customs, rules, and people. While one should certainly hold a level of optimism before relocating to any new country, it is important not to be deluded by too-good-too-be-true images depicted in popular media.
Your coworkers, neighbors, and friends all have their own personal lives, political and religious beliefs, and ways of doing things. It’s okay if they don’t always line up with yours, and you shouldn’t expect them to. Even if you experience something that you consider downright weird, seek to respect and appreciate those differences rather than bash or criticize. You just might find it becomes a valuable learning experience.
