Learning a foreign country and culture, while traveling has its limits. I spent some time in two foreign countries living there for a while. I have lived through a culture shock. I finally returned home. Learning while traveling is different. Being a European, having a cable or satellite TV, speaking or just understanding several languages, while traveling in Europe, we are usually aware of many differences. But with any trip to another continent, we bring back more than only pictures of beautiful places to see.
I already posted several on Japan, but still, find photos I would like to comment just to remember things. It is about impressions about what I considered common knowledge and confirmed on the spot or about things absolutely new to me. So, below some aspects of the day-to-day Japanese culture I noticed in Japan.
Izakaya. A traditional Japanese pub or tavern that offers a casual and social atmosphere. I took this picture on our second evening in Tokyo. Believe it or not, but it was in Shinjuku, the Tokyo office district with skyscrapers all around. We went there to enjoy our first sake served traditional way (>>>). As far as I can recall, this one was located under a railway flyover. The contrast was incredible.
Japanese work till late hours. Instead of hurrying back home, they go out with their co-workers to grab a bite, but also to drink, and these are barely soft drinks they enjoy. And the Japanese have a drinking problem. You can often see drunken or half-drunken white collars taking last night trains home. But sometimes they do not manage to take the last train like this one on the picture. So they spend the night somewhere in the city center. I made this shot around 8 am in one of the leading Japanese cities at the main entrance to bank premises.
That Japanese like toys and animated movies (called anime), it is common knowledge. Toy shops, pachinko (game plazas) are everywhere. Toys hold a significant cultural value in Japan, with a rich history of traditional toys like kites, dolls, and kendama, as well as a thriving market for modern toys and collectibles. Anime, a distinctive style of animated film and television, has become a global phenomenon, but it originated in Japan and is deeply ingrained in the Japanese culture. Japanese audiences, of all ages, have a strong affinity for anime due to its diverse genres, compelling storytelling, and unique artistic styles. Anime characters often become cultural icons, and merchandise such as action figures, plush toys, and other collectibles based on these characters are widely popular. On the picture above a fraction of a poster, I saw at the front of the bank. A credit card with anime figures on it. Cute.
Very light housing and a jungle of power cables flying over everywhere. In comparison to city centers with skyscrapers, the average city district or a suburb looks like the one on the picture above. I think the kind of buildings has something to do with earthquakes that can destroy everything in a minute or the contrary, lighter houses are earthquake resistant. But the power grid looking like that (absolutely typical) is an absolute contrast to the excellent infrastructure you see everywhere in Japan.
Colorful street decorations, festivals, and … many symbols where you do not expect them are another feature of the Japanese culture. The street decoration on the picture above is koinobori – windsocks that represent carps, a national symbol. The carp is capable of moving up-stream. Thus it is a symbol of perseverance and strength. Koinobori displayed around a house, tell you how many family members live inside, sizes and colors will tell you, who they are (>>>).
The kids in uniforms just out of school. You see many of them walking in small groups around the streets or journeying in public transport, no matter whether in small villages or great cities. They seem to be very self-reliant. On the other hand, Japan appears to be a very safe and reliant country, and there are always people around you that are ready to assist.
People in white gloves, no matter whether in public transport or in the streets. They are there to keep an eye, provide for order, and assist you, always very polite. There are many of them employed by the Japanese railway companies. We often also saw people who were standing in the streets around a construction site and were assisting people in going around the site. Even at the exits of car parks in the malls, people were stopping the cars to give passage to pedestrians.
When talking white gloves and public transport – in Japan, it is impolite to touch people or get too close. Also, loud talking in public transport means it is considered rude. Japanese people use their smartphones in public transport, however very rarely you see or hear a person talking. They just read or send messages. It is worth to remember it.
The public transport, comfortable and efficient. No matter whether a Shinkansen or a local train. The public transport is expensive, but if you are a tourist, you can buy a railway pass. It is valid for most trains – you just pay a lump sum depending on the duration of your stay in Japan. Of things worth to know – the air conditioning is of excellent quality. So even in the hot summer season, it is good to have something with long sleeves.
By the way, the Japanese do not like to sunbathe. The pale skin is of value. Even on hot days you will see people fully covered, women often in gloves and with hats of a different kind on their heads.
Shinto, Buddhism, and shrines. Japanese have a specific attitude to religion. As I understand, there is nothing there like church-going, but Japanese like to pay respect to deities – no matter whether Shinto or Buddhist. And there are many different kinds of charms you can buy and carry with you or just leave in the shrine in a particular place (>>>).
Yukata and kimono. A traditional kimono consists of many layers. Its purest form (looking a bit like a housecoat) is called yukata. You can see people dressed traditional way in the streets and in public transit. As I understand, traditional clothing is considered a casual but elegant one in the contemporary Japanese culture. Of course, there are exquisite traditional dresses, too (>>>). On our first days, we tried to secretly or more openly photograph people dressed traditional way. After a couple of days, we had so many photos that we stopped doing it.
Aesthetics. Japanese are very aesthetic and clean people. Aesthetics play a profound role in Japanese culture, influencing various aspects of daily life. The Japanese people have a strong appreciation for beauty, simplicity, and harmony, which is evident in their approach to various elements, including gardens, public spaces, interiors, clothing, and personal hygiene. You do not see any devastation in the streets, people do not smell around, you can easily find a restroom everywhere. If you are in a hotel, you have all the possible cosmetics in significant quantities around you, always a single-use shaver and toothbrush with a small toothpaste tube. In that respect, Japan is a very comfortable country to visit.