Let's Go to Japan

Nihon ni ikimashou!!
(nee-ho-n nee ee-kee-mah-show)
Let's go to Japan!!

When I heard about my free trip to Japan through the Kizuna project, I got really excited. I am a firm believer that you should take ever single chance you can to travel. So, when you go to Japan you need to remember a few things. Obviously, remember your basic care products... please.

First, your passport! If you don't get a passport or don't have one... Sorry, you won't be allowed into Japan (or any foreign country for that matter).

Second, Japanese lifestyles are a lot different from American ones. It is customary to, upon meeting and greeting someone, bow as a sign of respect. The bow takes the place of the handshake in American society. Also, when walking into a store it is normal to hear about fifteen say "irashimase!" This basically means "Welcome to our store!" In response, bow and say konnichiwa and continue on with your shopping. Later in your shopping adventures in the same store, a clerk or a man stocking shelves may say it to you. Corporate men wear pink. Men in Japan wear pink and think nothing of it and have been doing so for a long time. Pink is usually reserved for dress shirts and ties but I have seen men's' workout clothes in pink too. Also, Japanese roads are very narrow and often packed, but it's uncommon to witness or hear about accidents on the road!!

NO SHOES ALLOWED inside. In Japanese homes, schools, and sometimes historical places will have what is called a genkan. A genkan is a lower landing of the front entry way to the house. Upon entering, one must take off their shoes and (without stepping on the genkan floor) step up onto a higher landing that is the first floor of the house. The Japanese do this because it wouldn't be clean to step into someone's house with dirt on their shoes.

In Japan there is an emperor. Japanese people don't talk about the Emperor or his family in public. Where Americans feel quite comfortable to rag on the President and his family, this is considered rude and taboo in Japan.

Vending machines are common on every street corner. They are very popular and convenient for anyone who needs their thirst quenched. People can buy sodas, iced teas, hot coffee, hot tea, sandwiches, Ramen, cigarettes, porn videos, beer, and hot chocolate in vending machines.

Obviously,  these aren't all the differences between cultures, but I will go into more detail about some unmentioned enigmas in other posts.