Japanese observances

  1. In our four-person apartment, there are two single beds and two folding beds against the wall. The folding beds are the modern version of the futon, the Japanese folding sleeping mat.
  2. Japan’s youth do not seem as scrupulous about mouth caps as the elderly. There are increasingly uncovered faces on the trains, and these are predominantly the young.
  3. You can rent a bike with an easy smartphone app. However, the app’s interface is only available in Japanese, making it unusable by tourists.
  4. When it rains in Japan, it seems to rain well and all day. Everyone outside is equipped with a robust, transparent plastic umbrella.
  5. The Japanese coast is often made ugly. Vines of concrete, nets, sandbags, and rusty fences mar beaches and boulevards.
  6. The Japanese surfer does extensive stretching exercises before entering the water. They do act a little guilty as you walk by.
  7. There are virtually no outdoor cafes anywhere in Japan. Drinking a beer or anything else on a terrace is a concept that doesn’t seem to exist. A bar, an occasion where you go for a drink, is also unusual.