In no particular order, some observations and notes about my experiences in Japan:

Rules / structure / order

There is a proper way to do anything logistically, and even if I didn’t always know what it was, I appreciated that it existed. The people conform to organizational protocols because it makes their lives easier.

I saw this from the moment I stepped off the plane and went to exchange my Japan Rail Pass voucher for the pass itself. There was a specific order to the proceedings — first the form, then the line — as well as a guide at the entry making sure everyone followed it.

The punctuality of Japanese trains is taken so seriously that apologies are issued when a train departs at the wrong time, whether 5 minutes late or 25 seconds early.

At odds with this is the individualistic American mentality. We don’t want to conform, and we don’t want to be told what to do. We want it our way.

That whole “grande, extra shot, half caf, soy latte, no foam” kind of coffee order doesn’t exist in Japan.

So, so many people

I regularly experienced that thing where you and an oncoming fellow pedestrian sidestep in the same direction until you almost run into each other.

If you need to cross through opposing lines of pedestrians, you cannot wait for a break in the flow or you will never pass. You must cut someone off.

There are literally lines to wait in lines.

I prefer my photos to be people-free, and I was often at cross purposes with another photo-taker.

Crime

There isn’t any. I mean.. there is very little. Theft and assault are just not concerns of either the locals or even visitors. As with both New Zealand and Bali, I did not need my usual street-smart vigilance to feel comfortable walking around alone, even at night. It was such a gift.

Escalators

This was interesting.

In Tokyo, escalator riders stand on the left and walk on the right. In Osaka, they stand on the right and walk on the left.

This may have something to do with rivalry between the Kansai (Osaka) and Kanto (Tokyo) regions of Japan, but no one knows for sure, at least according to my Google research, why this is.

Language

My last Airbnb host in New Zealand told me a story of her visit to Japan in which a restaurant refused to serve her and her friends because the staff didn’t speak English. I learned from Cindy, my former co-worker I met up with in Tokyo, that this is not xenophobia but rather pride. If they cannot meet a standard of excellence in their hospitality, the Japanese would prefer not to host you.

In my personal experience, the Japanese do not understand what you say in their language if you mispronounce a word. This is not inflexibility or judgment on their part; they literally do not hear the word you are saying. Fascinating!

I was surprised to find the most English speakers in Kyoto rather than in Tokyo.

Religion

I never quite got a handle on the mix of Shinto and Buddhism I encountered everywhere. These faiths seem to co-exist with their own symbolism and practices but also inform one another as well. I might have that completely wrong. Hiro in Nara was probably my best chance at understanding this, and we didn’t talk about it.

I was also confused by all the praying to Buddha I witnessed. My conception of the Buddha is not as a deity requiring worship. Again, what do I know.

Smoking

Wow. It’s still allowed everywhere.

Toilets

As mentioned in my Nara post, some are still of the squat variety. Heated seats are divine. The option to play musical notes to mask the sounds of taking care of one’s business is delightful. Spray options for clean-up were hard to get used to but also just make so much sense.

Bathrooms

So many have no soap or paper towels! I observed many women carrying around a cloth for drying their hands after rinsing at the sink. I think that’s great. And I’m OK with a hand rinse after peeing. After a poo, I want to wash with soap and my American ass found it odd that this was not an option in many public bathrooms.

Soft serve

The Japanese are a bit obsessed.