So many books, articles and videos on Japan talk about things like how deep people need to bow depends on who is involved and what we are trying to convey. “Thank you vs Thank you very much”, “Sorry vs We deeply apologize”, and how we need to remove our shoes before entering someone’s house. And all these local customs are true…
BUT there are also many other small things that one notices when they live here. So here’s 10 Interesting observations, from a foreign local resident’s point of view.
10 Interesting facts about Japan
1. Chopping action
Many people, men especially, tend to use a chopping action with their hand when they want to cut through a crowd, or in front of people.
What it looks like
The person holds out an arm in front of them, and the elbow is kept close to the body, and in a bent position. The palm faces the left if it is the right hand. If it is the left hand, the palm would face the right.
The elbow is the kept in the same position, and a chopping action is repeatedly made with that hand. The person also sort of does quick ‘head bows’ at the same time.
This indicates to everyone around that the person wants to cut in front of, or across their path, and so will give way.
Where to see it in action:
Crowded train stations
2. 5pm Bell
A bell chime rings out across the city at 5pm* every day from Monday to Friday. Some use this as a reminder that they need to do something, or should be heading home. But what it is most well-known for, is being a chime reminder for kids to start making their way home as it is becoming dark.
The chime melody you hear depends on the ward/city.
Melodies commonly heard in Tokyo
- 夕焼け小焼け (most common)
- 帰ろ帰ろ
- 春の小川
- ウェストミンスターの鐘
- 希望の鐘
- めぐろ・みんなの歌
- 家路
- ふるさと
- 荒川区民の歌
Interesting points
While it is known as a Chime that reminds kids to go home, and is used like that, the true reason behind this 5pm Chime is quite different. It’s true name is Disaster Prevention Radio Chime (防災行政無線チャイム).
In times of emergencies, the city needs to warn its residents to evacuate, move to higher ground and so forth, and these are the speakers that are used. These 5pm Bell Chimes that play melodies every day, are actually daily tests to make sure that these emergency systems are in full working order.
And although it is commonly known as the 5pm Chime (5時のチャイム) in Japanese, sometimes it is heard at *4.30pm or 6pm. It is not the same for every ward/city.
3. To and fro postcard
To be honest, in all my years of living here in Japan, I have only heard this mentioned once or twice, but it is a thing!
In this day and age, we don’t really hear or use these type of services in many countries, but here in Japan, the love of paper is still strong. A ‘To and Fro postcards’ (return postcards) is basically a self-addressed pre-paid postcard attached to the one you are sending out.
An example of when I needed one:
One day I saw a poster advertising a theatre play, and it was free, but we needed to write in to apply for the tickets. Kinda like an Expression of Interest kind of thing. The instructions stated that a To and Fro postcard had to be sent to them by the deadline. So, I had to go to a post office to buy one (往復はがき). They each cost 126yen (accurate as of Feb 2022).
4. Warikan and splitting the bill at the Cash Register
Warikan (割り勘) is one of the more common local customs. It is basically going dutch and splitting the bill evenly between all the meal participants. This alone does not make it special, of course, as this is done in many other countries. But way it is done is! It is such a common practice that the cash registers are set up to facilitate this.
Instead of one person whipping out their credit card to settle the bill, and then everyone paying the person in cash, or transferring the money to that person after the fact, everything can be done at the Cash register.
What it is like
So after the meal, one person grabs the Table Slip (伝票), which has the table number and information on what was ordered, and everyone makes their way over the the Cash register.
The first person hands the Table Slip over to the Cashier and says that they want to pay individually (別々でお願いします). They tell the Cashier exactly what they ordered and just pay for those items. Then the next person goes up and pays for what they ordered, until everyone has paid their share.
5. Bicycles on the walkways
Bicycles in Japan are both loved and hated. They are convenient and a nuisance. Why? Because legally, there are rules, but in reality, most people do not follow them. Bicycles switch between acting as Pedestrians and Vehicles, as and when it suits them.
I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have seen them ignore a traffic light, because they wanted to cross the street like a pedestrian. And the way they ride along the pavements and walkways at high speeds, while swerving between actual pedestrians on two legs.
6. The lack of Bare Shoulders in Summer
While not specifically Taboo, this is something that becomes very obvious if you take notice. You don’t really see men walking around in singlets or wife-beaters, and women are hardly seen in sleeveless tops, even in the middle of summer.
The interesting thing is that they are sold in stores, but they are usually displayed or sold with something to drape over it, like a thin cardigan.
7. Flushing Toilet Sounds
Public toilets in Japan are almost always equipped with a little box on the wall with a speaker. It also has a button, and when it is pressed, the sound of water being flushed is played.
Online information sources say that this started because Japanese women were embarrassed about others hearing the sound of their bodily functions. They flushed the toilet repeatedly, and this led to a lot of water being wasted. So to reduce water wastage, these Toilet Flushing sounds were created, which allowed women to mask the embarrassing sounds, and not waste water when doing so.
8. Stopping buses
Like with taxis, many of us try to get the bus driver’s attention by flagging it down. But this is not necessary in Japan.
Buses in Japan will slow down and stop at the bus stop if there is someone there, regardless of whether people flag it down or not.
9. No sharing of tables
In a cafe or restaurant, sharing is not expected nor usual, but in places like food courts, sharing tables is quite common in many countries. Food courts are busy places with many people, many stalls, but with a limited number of tables.
But here in Japan, it is highly uncommon to ask someone if the seat is taken, and if you can sit there. So people, hovering is the way to go! No, I’m kidding! That’s annoying. If the people look like they are going to be done soon, you can stand close by and claim that table once they stand up and leave.
10. No photos allowed in Museums or Concerts
Honestly, this is one of the local customs that still baffles me. Many museums and artistes outside Japan now allow the public to take photos or videos, but with certain conditions attached. I think the most common one is the ‘No Flash Photography’ condition.
But here in Japan, photography is usually only permitted for certain exhibits. And sometimes, the ‘exhibit’ isn’t even a genuine piece. It is a replica made specially so people can take their photographs (記念写真) there.
So since we don’t have the option of taking the picture first, and then zooming in to see the details, it can be good to have a small pair of binoculars instead.
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