Life in Japan: Challenging, Amazing and Wonderful

Japan, also known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is a country known for its unique culture, technology, food and way of life. Those who have visited Japan agree that life in Japan can be challenging but also absolutely amazing and wonderful. Japan is a country that has developed its own way of living, which is often different from the Western way of life. Having spent two years in Japan as a kid, I still remember quite a lot of things that kept me thrilled and amazed. Here are ten things about the Japanese lifestyle that you should know before moving in or traveling to this wonderful country!

1. Christmas is a lover’s holiday

Christmas is not a traditional holiday in Japan. Though, in recent decades, it has become popular to decorate everything with lights and buy fir trees, do not expect a traditional evening meal with a turkey in a family setting. Think of Christmas in Japan more like Valentine’s Day in the US. On December 24th, you are expected to ask your date out to a fancy place, think of a unique date idea or some other couple activity and prepare a romantic gift. In Japan, gifts are rarely exchanged among family members and friends unless that was pre-arranged earlier.

Another peculiarity of Christmas in Japan is going festive at KFC! It emerged after a surprisingly successful ad campaign in 1974, where a group of foreigners were desperate to find a turkey for Christmas and ended up celebrating at KFC. There’s always a huge queue in front of any KFC at Christmas, as everyone is eager to grab a $40 special meal of chicken, wine, cake, and champagne. The tradition is so popular in Tokyo that you need to pre-order your Christmas-special chicken meal and book a table in advance!

2. Keep your trash with you

One of the first things you notice in Japan is that trash cans are impossible to find at public places! Yet, there’s no litter on the streets either, and by no means should you become the one who leaves it! So, what are you expected to do with your bento pack or a melon soda can? Put it in your bag and carry it home like all the Japanese people do. Alternatively, veteran expats pointed out that public trash cans are available at McDonald’s and konbini (convenience) stores.

When living in Japan, you will learn a lot about handling trash. As the islands are tiny and densely populated, it was crucial for the Japanese to focus on recycling and minimizing their impact on the nature around. That’s why one of the first things you receive when moving into your apartment is a gomi guide – an immensely detailed instruction on all things trash, from sorting it the right way to days when certain types of waste are collected. Caveat: if you missed throwing the appropriate type of trash on the right day, you will have to wait for another week till you can get rid of it!

3. Driving experience is different

First of all, you need to get used to the fact that the steering wheel is now on the right side of the car, and you are obliged to drive on the left side of the road. Also, all the speed limits are listed in kilometers, not in miles. Make sure you can convert them correctly before stepping on that gas pedal. Traffic lights are horizontal and double stacked, so it takes some time to figure out which one is working for you now. While most Japanese drivers are really accurate and attentive, there’s another road hazard – careless cyclists who often pop out unexpectedly on intersections and sometimes ride on the opposite side of the road.

Remember, you are not allowed to drive in Japan with a US-only license. You should either have an International Driving Permit that can be retrieved from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) back in the US. However, those are valid only for short-term stays in Japan (less than 90 days). If you plan to settle in Japan for longer, you should either get a driver’s license of the international standard or switch overseas driving license to Japanese ones.

Don’t get upset if the whole thing looks difficult to you; Japan has impeccable train service that will get you to any place in no time.

4. Bowing isn’t as easy as you think

You do know that the Japanese bow at practically any occasion from greetings to apologies. Learning to do it the naturally graceful way for a foreigner may be really tricky. Here are three main types of bows:

• Eshaku – leaning about 15-degrees in an informal setting and as a greeting.

• Keirei – 30-degree bow to show a higher level of respect to your boss or other people who are higher than you on social scales.

• Saikeirei – 45-degree bow reserved for major occasions like meeting the emperor or if you’ve screwed up really big (think destroying someone’s car).

5. Always carry an umbrella in summer

The rainy season (tsuyu or baiyu) takes place in most parts of Japan from early June until late July and a month earlier at Okinawa. Whereas it does not rain straight for two months in a row, the weather becomes really unexpected. You can leave the house while the sun shines bright to realize it’s raining cats and dogs in a mere hour when you are about to leave the shop. Unless you’d like to spend ¥100 each time it starts raining (or get soaking wet), carry an umbrella all the time.

Also, do not forget that it’s impolite to enter any store or other venue with your dripping umbrella. There are special boxes installed outside where you should place it. They are never stolen, yet if you don’t have a particularly distinctive parasol, it might be accidentally taken by someone else. Surprisingly, you can find it the next day at the same box as someone returned it for you.

6. Policemen are really friendly and concerned (sometimes too much)

Japan traditionally tops the list of the safest countries in the world with extremely low crime and murder rates. Hardly anyone actually locks their doors at home, and if you lost your phone or wallet at the train station, there are 99.99% chances you’ll get it back the next day with the same amount of cash. Therefore, Japanese police are busy sorting out other issues the citizens have. Say, if you got lost in Tokyo, a policeman will surely guide you back to your home or the nearest metro stations. You can chit chat with them and joke all the way back home. Also, these folks can call you a cab and lend you money if you had a rough drinking night and missed the last train.

However, as Karin Muller pointed out in her book “Japanland: A Year In Search of Wa,” sometimes the local police’s friendly concerns can become too much. The local officers were really concerned about her nightly running habits, talking her out of jogging around the beach after dark.

7. There’s no need to double-check anything

There are zero chances you will receive the wrong amount of change from a cashier. Not a single chance that the item you ordered would be fake or lack any accessories that were sold with it. Japan has no tolerance for scamming or dishonesty. Not only is it highly shameful to trick anyone, but also rather costly with huge fines and legal consequences for those who’ve attempted and got caught.

Also, bargaining isn’t a thing in Japan. All the prices are fixed even at street markets. Do not ask for a discount unless it’s already listed on the product.

8. Night clubs are not for dancing

It is just as odd as it sounds – you are not allowed to dance at most night/dance clubs around Japan. Basically, any night venue in Japan has a “Please, no dancing sign,” and if you get rebellious after a few shots and still decide to get low on the dance floor, you can get kicked out. According to a law adopted back in 1948 (and never changed since then), clubs with a floor space less than 66 sq/m (710 sq ft) cannot obtain the proper license and allow customers to dance. A later law adopted in 1984 bans dancing after midnight. Real estate prices in Japan are whooping. Finding and renting a place over 66 sq/m becomes extremely expensive…

9. You can be whoever you want to be

Japan is known for its unique fashion, subcultures, and music scenes. You can be whoever you want to be in Japan, and nobody will judge you for it. In Japan, it is normal to wear clothes that may be considered eccentric or costumes every day. It is also common to see punks, goths or any other cultural costume on the streets of Tokyo. People in Japan understand the difference between one’s personality and job.

10. Convenience store is your friend

If there is one place where you can get almost everything you need in Japan, it’s the convenience store, or “konbini”. From food, medicine and drinks to stationaries and cleaning supplies, konbinis have got you covered. They are open 24/7, 365 days a year, so you can always count on them for a quick snack, payment of bills or photocopies any time of day or night. They also provide free Wi-Fi and toilets, which is quite handy when traveling around the country. The top three chains of convenience stores in Japan are 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart, all of which have over 20,000 stores across Japan.

Conclusion

Japan is a unique country with a fascinating culture and way of life. While life in Japan can be challenging, adapting to the Japanese way of living is worth it, experiencing a culture that has stood the test of time. Knowing these ten things before moving in or traveling to Japan will surely save you from unnecessary stress and help you enjoy your stay in this amazing and wonderful country!