18 Japanese Culture Shocks for First-Time Visitors to Japan
Greeting from Kyoto, Japan! Today I’m sharing some of the biggest shocks of Japanese culture for first-time visitors to Japan. These Japan travel tips will help alleviate some of the shock you’ll feel when you first arrive in Japan.
Japanese Culture Shock #1 Japanese Toilets
You will be shocked at the toilets in Japan. In every other country in the world, toilets are pretty self-explanatory. In Japan, you need an instruction manual to use the toilets. The toilets in Japan come with a remote control, heated seats, built-in bidets, a blow dryer, and even music to mask your bathroom sounds. Before you get started, find the stop button. Some Japanese toilets even have a sink built on top of the tank so that your gray water is then used to fill the tank for the next person.
Japanese Culture Shock #2 Access to Cash
Japan is very much a cash-based society, and you’ll be shocked at how hard it is to get cash in Japan. Not all of the bank ATM’s accept foreign debit cards. To get around this, you can pay by credit card in many places. To get cash, you have three good options. The ATM’s at the airport will take foreign debit cards, so if you can, get cash right when you arrive. The Post Office ATM’s are another option. The best option, though, is to go to a convenience store like a 7-11. Those ATM’s will take foreign cards.
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Japanese Culture Shock #3 Convenient Convenience Stores
You’ll be shocked at just how convenient the convenience stores really are. In the U.S. and other countries, convenience stores have lots of junk food, beer and soda. In Japan, they are more like a mini-supermarket. You can find anything from shaving supplies to electronics, as well as really high quality food. The sushi at a Japanese convenience store will probably be better than any sushi you’ve had in the U.S.
Read: 5 Things to NEVER Pack in Your Checked Luggage
Japanese Culture Shock #4 Japanese Vending Machines
You’ll be shocked at how many vending machines you’ll see, plus the variety of things they sell. Yes, you can get hot or cold beverages. You can also get school supplies, or toys, clothing and beer. Most often you will pay with coins, but you can also pay with your Metro card.
Watch: Japanese Vending Machines
Japanese Culture Shock #5 Plastic Food Displays
Outside most Japanese restaurants, you’ll see all kinds of plastic food on display. Think back to your Fisher Price childhood kitchen set. Japan has taken that to a whole new level. At some restaurants, they’ve got a very realistic plastic version of nearly every menu item on display. This is actually super helpful for tourists because it’s hard to find an English menu in Japan. You can even buy the plastic food items as souvenirs.
Japanese Culture Shock #6 Food in Japan
Many times in Japan, you will have no idea what you are eating, or how to eat it. But the food is amazing in Japan! You can ask your server to help you out if you’re not sure how something works. You really don’t have to worry too much about getting sick from the food in Japan, because it’s so clean. Which brings us to the next Japan culture shock…
Japanese Culture Shock #7 Cleanliness in Japan
Japan is a super clean country. The streets, public transportation, homes, restaurants and shops are all impeccably clean. It’s shocking how a city like Tokyo, with 35 million people, can remain so clean. Japan does a great job keeping clean, and this extends to restaurants with clean and high quality food.
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Japanese Culture Shock #8 Quiet in Japan
In addition to being super clean, Japan is also super quiet. In general, Japanese people are just not very loud. So you can be in Tokyo or Kyoto and find quiet places to escape to. It’s not just the people, though. Even the cars in Japan are quiet.
Japanese Culture Shock #9 Safety in Japan
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to visit. You will be shocked at how relaxing it is to visit such a safe country, where you don’t have to worry about safety at all times. If you lost your wallet, you’re in for another shock as it will likely show up at your hotel, cash and cards intact.
Japanese Culture Shock #10 Small Spaces in Japan
One potentially negative Japanese culture shock is the tight spaces you’ll encounter. Huskier folks might find some spaces a bit constricting, as many places in Japan are very tight quarters. Hotels, bathrooms, showers and apartments are all smaller than what you might be used to in the West. Japan packs a huge population onto several small islands, so space is a premium. If you decide to take a train in Japan at rush hour, be prepared to forego any personal space as they really pack into the train cars.
Japanese Culture Shock #11 No Smoking on the Streets
You will be shocked to learn that you can be fined in Japan for smoking on the street while you are walking around. It’s also frowned upon to eat while you are walking around.
Safety Issues in Japan
Japanese Culture Shock #12 Japanese Avoid Sneezing in Public
Another surprising shock about Japan is that people here to try avoid sneezing or blowing their noses in public. It’s just part of the culture in Japan to try to excuse yourself and do these things in private.
Japanese Culture Shock #13 Paying at Japanese Restaurants
When you eat at a restaurant in Japan, the waiter will bring your bill, but they won’t take your money. You have to pay at the front. You also don’t tip your waiter.
Read: 10 Culture Shocks Tourists Have When They Visit China
Japanese Culture Shock #14 Swastikas in Japan
As you look at your tourist map for temples, you’ll notice several familiar symbols, like a cross indicating a church, or a Metro station symbol. You might also be shocked to see a swastika symbol on the map. In Japan, the swastika is a sign of hope and good luck. The swastika pre-dates Nazis by centuries, so you’ll see them all over Japan.
Japanese Culture Shock #15 Number of Temples in Japan
You’ll be shocked at how many temples there are in Japan. Throughout the country, there are so many temples. Several are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but others are just every day temples that are still gorgeous to look at. Make sure you take the time to see some of the smaller temples, you might find you have it all to yourself.
Japanese Culture Shock #16 Japanese Landscape
Visitors to Japan are often shocked at the majestic beauty of the landscapes here. Mountains, waterfalls, bamboo forests, autumn color, and spring cherry blossoms all make an astounding backdrop to the phenomenal culture and architecture of Japan.
Read: 10 Shocks of Visiting Canada for the First Time
Japanese Culture Shock #17 Japanese Onsen Experience
A few things at the Onsen (Hot Springs) might shock you. First, you must go naked into the onsen. They are divided by gender, so it’s not a big deal. At the onsen, you’ll receive one small towel and one large towel. You might be tempted to cover up with the towel as you enter the onsen, but the large towel is to be saved for after your soak. The small towel is actually for your head.
Japanese Culture Shock #18 Japanese People
You will be shocked at how wonderful the Japanese people are. They are friendly, helpful and kind. Even if they don’t speak English, and most won’t, they will really try to help you in any way. The people of Japan will really make you fall in love with the country.
I hope these fun facts about Japanese culture convince you to visit. It’s an amazing country, from temples to mountains and fantastic food. All of these shocks are really just fun surprises about Japan. You’ll have a blast if you decide to visit Japan. If you want more Japan travel tips, check out some of our other videos: