Culture Shock in Japan

Japan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Politeness and humility are of top importance. According to a writer named Anna Haines on Microsoft, here are some customs she witnessed in Japan that she wished the US would adopt

Public bathrooms are spotless

-According to Anna, the public bathrooms appear as if they belong in a five-star hotel. They were technologically advanced to the point where the lid lifts automatically upon sensing someone approaching. There are also electronic bidets that are self-cleaning or have heated seats

Many hotels provide complimentary pajamas, slippers and toiletries

-Hotels in Japan will often provide complimentary pajamas, slippers and other bathroom articles you would need. The bathroom articles were of a high-grade luxury brand and often include face cleaner and moisturizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush. Anna said she has never gotten this level of hotel amenities in the US, where only small travel size bottles of shampoo, lotion, conditioner and body wash are offered. The bottles being only big enough to get 1-2 days use out of before they empty

-Also, they offer pajamas. Really high quality pajamas. So high quality you almost consider buying them

Airports have separate slippers for walking through security

-It might sound strange, but Japan is the country where you use different types of slippers for different types of activities. Anna found that there were slippers provided for walking through security. It's a custom in Japan to remove shoes before entering any indoor spaces. It helps keep things clean and tidy, and is also considered respectful

Hardly any public trash cans, but the streets are spotless

-Anytime you have trash to dispose of, public trash bins are all but absent. One would think this is an incentive to litter. But, according to Anna, after asking a local, she was informed that the absence of public trash bins is because the local Japanese residents hold onto their litter until they get home, where they can dispose of it there

Public spaces are quiet, creating a calm atmosphere

-One would think that in any large spaces, it would loud, noisy, just plain irritating to the senses. In Japanese culture, it's completely normal to keep to yourself. Even if someone were traveling with another person, they were conversing softly. Public calmness and quietness are a strong feature in Japan