My husband and I are visiting our oldest daughter Bethany and her husband Tomo in Japan during my spring break. Bethany has lived in Tokyo for three and a half years. We enjoy all the different cultural things to see and do while in Tokyo.

Japan has such a huge selection of places to go and things to do – much more diverse than Indiana! Sometimes the differences we encounter in Japan are a bit of a shock to this American Midwestern lady. Here are some of the cultural differences that I had to adjust to while in Japan.

You know you are in Japan when…

1. You take your shoes off when entering the house. Be sure to wear nice socks!
2. There are more people at the train station than in your hometown.
3. You eat a majority of your meals with chopsticks.
4. The toilet seats are heated, there is music playing in your bathroom stall, and there is a control panel on the toilet with many water features.
5. The train, bus, and taxi are your main modes of transportation.
6. You walk 15,000 steps and climb 19 flights of steps in one day.
7. There are many convenience stores on every street.
8. There is a unique musical jingle playing at each train station and some convenience stores.
9. Cars drive on the left hand side of the road – look left when crossing the street!
10. You walk on the left hand side while walking up and down steps or riding an escalator. Make sure to leave the right side open (depending on what part of Japan you’re in, it’s the left)!
11. There are many types of seafood for sale in the grocery, such as squid and octopus.
12. There are anime characters, signs, and pictures everywhere!
13. Many people are wearing white surgical face masks for health reasons, often a runny nose or a mildly sore throat.
14. Most people don’t own cars.
15. Comfortable shoes are very important since walking is a main method of getting to and from places.
16. When ordering a large beverage, it is the size of an American small, if not smaller than that depending on the restaurant.
17. When you see strange descriptions in English, often misspellings or incorrect translations on signs and menus. Some frequently seen examples are “delicious ice cream sand” or “flesh vegetables”.
18. A buffet is called “Viking Style” and a drink bar is called a “Viking bar”.

Rob and I enjoy our time in Japan and have met many wonderful Japanese people.  In spite of our cultural differences both Americans and Japanese enjoy good food, family, friends and fun!  We are grateful for our Japanese friends and family!

”Distance teaches us to appreciate the days we are able to spend together.  And distance teaches us the definition of patience.  It is a reminder that every moment together is special and every second together should be cherished.”

-Unknown