Have you ever been interested in traveling to Japan? If it is your first visit, you will encounter a lot of fresh surprises from the moment the flight has landed. You may even experience big culture shock as well. If you have already been to Japan before, there are still new discoveries hidden in the land. This is because Japanese culture is so deep and unique that it is impossible to experience it all in just one or two stays. In this article, we will provide you with just a sneak peek of those facts. After reading this article, you are sure to have a deeper insight into Japan on your next trip!
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“Kon-Bini” (aka Convenience Store) Culture
Convenience stores, also known as “kon-bini in Japanese,” are an indispensable part of everyday life in the country. According to the Japan Franchise Association, as of November 2022, there are approximately 56,000 convenience stores nationwide*. You can see from this number that convenience stores are literally everywhere in the city. You will also be impressed by how many attractive products are sold in such a small store.
* Ref) Japan Franchise Association: https://www.jfa-fc.or.jp/particle/320.html (Japanese only)
Convenience Stores Carry Just About Everything
Most convenience stores are stocked with everything from snacks, drinks, and lunchboxes (known as “bento”) to cosmetics and magazines. Basically, you can just walk 5-10 minutes to buy whatever you need for daily life.
They also offer a full range of services such as receiving and delivering parcels, paying utility bills, issuing tickets, and making withdrawals and transfers at bank ATMs. You can run many errands at just one convenience store.
“Hot” Lineups for Food & Drink
Each convenience chain comes up with their original food and drink menu as well. Usually, you can find hot snacks such as nuggets, fried chicken, croquettes, and steamed meat buns (called “niku-man”), displayed next to the cash register.
There are also many other original products such as bento, onigiri (rice balls), seasonal sweets, which cause a rush hour during lunch time on weekdays.
Another thing you find at the front will be a huge coffee machine. Some stores offer unique flavors like matcha (green tea) latte or hojicha (roasted green tea) latte, so you can taste some traditional Japanese flavors.
Open 24/7
Many convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means you don’t have to worry if you realize you have forgotten your toothbrush at 0AM.
We predict you will find yourself coming back to these convenience stores at least three times during your stay.
Explore Japanese Food with Less Money
There are a lot of places that you can enjoy Japanese food without paying much money. Of course, we have many high-end restaurants to recommend as well, but today let’s just not focus on those ones.
“All-you-can-eat” And “All-you-can-drink”
Some restaurants have “all-you-can-eat” and/or “all-you-can-drink” menus, ranging from roughly 1,500 yen to 5,000 yen (depending on what kind of food they offer). You are normally given 60 to 120 minutes to order as much as you like.
“All-you-can-drink” is a typical plan for izakaya (Japanese-style pub), where you can order many alcoholic beverages within the time limit.
Food Court for Japanese Fast Food
If you want to try Japanese fast food, a food court in shopping malls is a good option. You can order ramen, Japanese curry, udon, takoyaki, tendon… just to name a few. There are so many choices that you might want to come back again on the next day.
Kaiten (Conveyor-belt) Zushi
Kaiten Zushi is a sushi restaurant in which a conveyor belt winds through to carry sushi plates to customers. Most Kaiten Zushi restaurants also prepare a tablet on each table, so you can either take the plate from the rotating belt or place your order using the tablet. The price for each plate normally ranges from 100 yen to 500 yen. It tends to be considerably cheaper than sushi restaurants without the belt. Good news if you are not a big fan of raw fish: There are also many side dishes like French fries and noodles with the same price range to satisfy your appetite.
Unique Manners
In every country there are a variety of special manners in daily life, and Japan is no exception. Let’s pick a few unique, common ones to help you prepare for possible culture shock.
Long Lines in Peace
On a station platform or outside some popular cafe, you will see people waiting in line. Sometimes it can be long enough for people to wait for two hours or more, but generally there seems to be no chaos, complaining, or cutting the line. If you find a long line at some spot, it can be worth waiting just to experience the custom.
No Phone Talk on Buses and Trains
It is no surprise to see 90% of people looking at their smartphone on public transportations. But how about no people talking on the phone? Making a phone call is usually prohibited on public buses and trains, because it is considered disturbing to others.
Take Your Garbage Home
At the World Cup 2022, Japanese soccer fans went viral for picking up trash at the stadium after matches. But it is not unusual for Japanese people. In fact, if you have a chance to watch a game at a big stadium or to go to a concert at a huge venue, make sure you don’t leave any trash behind when you go home.
“Omotenashi” (Hospitality) Culture Everywhere
The word “Omotenashi” is quite popular among people familiar with Japanese culture. Not only in luxurious restaurants but in daily life, you can feel the concept of “Omotenashi”. Here are some examples.
Trains and Stations
One of the most popular “Omotenashi” traits is public transportation system, especially for its punctuality. You will see how trains almost always arrive on time as the electronic display shows. If they are ever delayed, station staff will make an announcement (sometimes only in Japanese). In big cities like Tokyo, there are many train lines that may confuse you, but there are always staff at the platform or the gate who will try their best to help you come out of the maze.
Vending Machines for Hot and Cold Drinks
One thing that may surprise you first when you arrive in Japan is the number and variety of vending machines. Just walk for five minutes in Tokyo and you will find at least three different kinds. The types of beverages available vary depending on the company, so try and find one you like while strolling the streets.
Just One Little Thing Added
If you buy a piece of cake at a pastry shop, the shop staff will ask you how long you will carry it. The only reason is to decide whether they slip an ice-pack into a box beside the cake so it won’t melt or be damaged.
If you go to a café or a restaurant, you will receive a wet towel (known as oshibori) to wipe your hands. This custom comes from long before the COVID situation.
Summary
In this article, we have introduced four unique facts about Japanese culture and customs, mainly focusing on daily life. It would be fun to directly witness and experience any of them during your next stay in Japan.