When one tiny slice of apple can give you a moment of happiness… read about this and many other situations you will notice when you visit Japan.
I think most of you are aware of the following things to see and experience in Japan:
- Hot spring baths and wearing a kimono
- Geisha
- High-tech in Akihabara and Shinjuku
- Bento boxes for lunch
- Watching Sakura (cherry blossoms)
- Multi-course and well-balanced dinners
- Gathering all regional KitKat varieties
So this post will skip these well-known things to experience in Japan and focus on some other remarkable things you can’t miss in Japan.
1) People reading manga in convenience stores
I get it, manga’s are fun and saving money is a sound strategy. I just prefer to read on a comfortable couch with a cup of tea in my hand or in a charming bookstore.
2) Wishing you could read these 100 Yen books
With so many fun books to read, you wish you could read Japanese. You’ll also come across a lot of people reading here, both standing up and sitting down. Deep inside I’m very jealous and want to join them.
To be clear: this doesn’t count as a charming bookstore for me even though I love the sight of shelves full of books.
3) More vending machines than you can try
It is not uncommon to find a well-stocked vending machine in the middle of nowhere. Which is very thoughtful, because that is where most people get thirsty.
In busier areas, say a small parking lot in a quiet neighborhood in a rural town, they’ll naturally put three next to each other as to provide you with enough choice.
4) Japanese toilets and sinks
High-tech Walhalla. Heated toilet seats can really make my day. Japanese toilets can play music while spraying water and blowing air. It gives you a feeling of luxury.
After using the toilet you can wash your hands in the all-in-one sink with soap, water, and air to dry your hands after washing.
If you’re out of luck and there is no such sink, then you need to bring your own towel to dry your hands with. Now you know why all souvenir shops sell these small towels!
5) Flaunt your Japanese skills
All foreigners speak Japanese of course. The hotel personnel will happily honor your skills by explaining everything in Japanese. You can see it as a learning experience in a natural environment. Win-win, right?
Yes, after two trips to Japan I can understand floor numbers, breakfast details, and public bath and check-out times. And I know the one word I hear every single time I go to the restaurant counter to pay the bill. They’ll ask you if you want to pay isshoni (一緒に) meaning together. Just say ‘hai’ and you’ll ace your restaurant visit. Traveling like a pro.
6) Old meets new
Let’s build a modern city around historical buildings. Whereas many countries preserve the streetscape around buildings with historical value, Japan does it differently. I’m not talking about Nara’s temple complex or Kyoto’s geisha neighborhood type of places with historical value. But the lesser-known sites are surrounded by modernity.
7) The purpose of a garden
You will never see anyone relaxing in their own garden. Ever. Everyone is always busy. If you pay attention to it, you will notice that most houses have a garden of one-meter width on all sides of the house. Do you see any garden table and chairs?
Public gardens are very popular though, especially in the Sakura (cherry blossom) season. At lunchtime you’ll come across office workers having a company picnic in the park.
8) Outdoor terraces
Imagine the weather is nice and you’re not surrounded by skyscrapers. I would say the ideal situation to enjoy a drink outdoors. But where did the Japanese hide these cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas? I don’t know.
When I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and the like, I only came across one restaurant with a terrace in Hiroshima. I found more of them in Kyushu on my second trip to Japan.
9) Fruit as an art
The Japanese turned growing fruit into an art. And as with anything artistic, it increases the price tenfold. The fruit looks beautiful and is dressed with foam to protect it from harm. I don’t know what prices you’re used to in your country, but I decided to go without fruit for a few weeks.
Imagine the joy you feel when you get one slice (cheese slice size) of apple with your dessert! Or two grapes as a breakfast side dish. It is interesting how you come to appreciate something when it is not part of your everyday life anymore.
10) Raw eggs
Did you ever get a raw egg and wonder which part of the meal you should add it to? You can add it to your rice, mix it with a side dish, use it for dipping, put it in your soup… but there is only one right way for every meal. Fortunately, it won’t take long for someone to come over if you hold the egg in your hand and look around confused.
As the best Japanese meals include all five tastes, it will be hard to avoid taking a bite of a very salty or sour ingredient or side dish when you least expect it. Japanese sour plum (Umeboshi), anyone?
These are the ten situations that surprised me or grabbed my attention the most on my travels to Japan. How about you?
