Japanese Culture: Everyday “Culture Shocks” for Foreigners

1. Astonishing Convenience: Convenience Stores and Vending Machine Networks
2. The Height of Cleanliness and Consideration: Japanese Toilet Culture
3. Economy and Service: High Quality Without Tipping and a Cash-Based Society
4. Public Transport Norms: “Second-Precise Operation” and “Silence”
5. The Mystery of Public Spaces: Clean Streets Without Public Bins
6. The Virtue of Group Behaviour: Orderly Discipline
7. The Spirit of the People: Kindness, Hospitality, and Public Safety
8. Lifestyle Differences: Removing Shoes and Bathhouse Culture
9. Challenging Food Culture: Raw Foods, Sticky Foods, and Slurping Sounds
10. Words of Gratitude Before and After Meals: “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisousama Deshita”
11. Summary

Japanese convenience stores are open 24 hours a day as a basic standard, unlike many overseas retailers that close late at night or early in the morning, and the range of services they provide is astonishingly multifunctional.

Tasks that in many countries can only be done at banks or post offices, such as using ATMs, paying utility bills, and sending or receiving parcels, can all be completed at convenience stores in Japan.

In addition, large numbers of vending machines are installed throughout cities, even in places where hardly anyone is around, and most operate without any problems.

In many countries, vending machines are often placed only in limited locations because of the risk of vandalism or theft, so this symbolises Japan’s high level of public safety and social trust.

Furthermore, many foreigners are surprised that a single vending machine can sell both hot and cold drinks.

In many countries, public toilets are either paid facilities or poorly maintained, but in Japan, toilets at stations and commercial facilities are free to use and are kept astonishingly clean.

Foreign visitors are also impressed by the widespread use of bidet toilets, known as washlets, as well as devices such as the “Otohime”, which plays the sound of running water so users do not need to feel self-conscious about bodily sounds while using the toilet.

Furthermore, everyday facilities in Japan are filled with thoughtful details, such as baby holders for parents with children and highly accessible multipurpose toilets for elderly people and those with disabilities.

In countries with tipping culture, especially the United States, tipping is a normal part of paying for service. In Japan, however, there is no tipping culture whatsoever.

If you attempt to give a tip, staff members may become confused and sometimes even politely refuse it despite their excellent service.

Even so, the quality of service provided in Japan is considered among the best in the world, and many foreigners are deeply impressed that such professionalism is maintained without tips.

In addition, although Japan is seen as a high-tech country, many shops still do not accept credit cards or cashless payments compared with overseas countries, making cash the mainstream method of payment. This often surprises foreign visitors.

The custom of placing change on a tray instead of handing it directly to customers is also regarded as an unusual form of etiquette overseas.

In major cities around the world, train delays of several minutes are commonplace, and formal apologies are often not given.
In Japan, however, trains are expected to operate with precision down to the second.
Foreign visitors are astonished that even delays of only a few minutes are met with polite apology announcements from conductors and station staff.

In addition, while public transport in many countries can be noisy, trains in Japan are often considered “silent spaces”.

Passengers refrain from making phone calls and speak quietly out of consideration for those around them.

Very few people eat strongly scented foods on trains, and foreigners are often impressed by how thoroughly the unspoken rule of “not causing inconvenience to others” is observed.

Furthermore, Japan’s railway culture is known for its complicated train classifications, such as local, rapid, and limited express services, as well as unique departure melodies that differ from station to station.

In many countries, public bins are commonly found throughout cities. In Japan, however, especially along streets, public bins are extremely scarce due in part to the impact of past incidents.

Despite this, foreigners are amazed that there is still very little litter on the streets.

This is because Japanese people are accustomed to taking their rubbish home with them, reflecting a strong public awareness of cleanliness and hygiene.

Waste sorting is also extremely detailed, with rubbish separated into categories such as plastics, burnable waste, cans, and bottles, and many visitors are surprised by how thoroughly these rules are followed.

In some countries, queues can become disorganised, with people pushing ahead of others. In Japan, however, people naturally form orderly lines without needing instructions, whether waiting for trains or for shops to open.

Foreign visitors are also impressed by the discipline that allows strangers to move smoothly as a group, such as leaving one side of escalators open for people in a hurry.
In the Tokyo and wider Kanto region, people typically stand on the left and leave the right side open, while in Kansai the opposite is common.

This reflects how deeply the Japanese cultural value of maintaining social harmony has permeated daily life.

Japan’s spirit of “omotenashi”, or hospitality, is known worldwide, but many visitors are especially moved by how deeply it extends beyond luxury establishments into everyday customer service and even the kindness shown to strangers.

Japan is also known as one of the safest countries in the world.
The ability for women to walk alone late at night, for people to leave valuables on tables while stepping away, and for children to travel to and from school alone are all considered extraordinary by people from countries where safety concerns are more common.

In addition, the remarkably high likelihood of lost items being returned is another notable example of Japan’s high level of social trust.

In many countries, it is normal to keep shoes on indoors.
In Japan, however, removing shoes before entering a home is a basic rule.

Furthermore, shoes must also be removed in tatami rooms, certain restaurants, and temples and shrines, and many foreigners are surprised by the complicated custom of frequently changing into slippers.

In addition, hot springs and public bathhouses in Japan require people to bathe naked rather than wearing swimsuits.

For foreigners who value personal privacy, this can initially feel like a major psychological barrier.
However, this custom is based on hygienic rules, where the bath is meant for soaking and warming the body, and people are expected to wash and clean themselves thoroughly before entering the bathwater.

Japanese food culture contains several things that many foreigners consider “challenging”.

One major surprise is the custom of eating raw eggs with rice, known as tamago kake gohan (TKG), since raw eggs are often avoided overseas because of hygiene concerns.

Natto, known as a healthy food, is another challenge, as its distinctive smell and sticky texture make many foreigners hesitant to try it for the first time.

Furthermore, loudly slurping noodles such as ramen or soba is considered an expression of enjoyment in Japan.
However, because making noise while eating is generally considered rude in Western table manners, many foreign visitors find this confusing.

In many countries, apart from religious prayers, it is not common to say special words of gratitude before and after meals.

In Japan, however, people say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochisousama deshita” after finishing a meal.

These expressions convey gratitude for “receiving life” and appreciation towards everyone, animals, and plants involved in preparing and providing the meal.

For many foreigners, the custom of expressing deep respect for food during every meal appears extremely graceful and moving.