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Observation in Japan

Throughout the journey in Japan, there were many things, often in little details, that stand out. I want to capture some of it. Do note that this is from my perspective. The opinion might change depends on how you look at it. If some of this observation are wrong, please let me know. I would be delighted to learn!

Last updated: July 21st, 2023

General

  • Cars would let pedestrian go first. But they would not hesitate when there is a slight chance to go ahead.
  • Convenience store is really convenient, unlike North America…
  • instant noodle/convenience store often have collaboration with popular restaurant/public figure for new product
  • even though there are different convenience store chain(7-11, fami mart, lawson…etc). Many of the prepped food are similar, just different label.
  • people could not care less what you do(on the surface)
  • unless you are invading their space/privacy
  • there are a lot of competitions, mainly with games or sports.

Entertainment

  • movie ticket is notoriously expensive
  • concert ticket often goes through a draw system for the big names
  • Karaoke is cheap!
  • karaoke actually provides romanji version of lyrics if you can’t sing along with the Japanese version

Sports

  • it’s hard to find local basketball session as it’s over spread through words of mouth and invitation to Line messenger group
  • Gym/sports center required a pair of indoor shoes
  • after using the court, 10 minutes were reserved to do a quick sweep over the floor to make sure it’s clean for next group to use.
  • workout gym is really expensive, public ones are much cheaper

Region

Hokkaido

  • Famous food: soup curry, jingisukan(lamb bbq), fresh seafood, diary product, Miso ramen, white lover cookie…etc
  • their vending machine almost always has hot beverage option, but not necessary in other part of Japan
  • Continue from first point, they often have corn potage as one of the hot beverage option. Something rarely seen outside of Hokkaido.
  • famous for the quality and quantity of snow during winter.
  • but also a great place to visit during summer. It produces a lot of great agriculture products.
  • On the road, there are red arrows point downward on the side of the road. That is to tell driver during the winter where the edge of the road is. Useful when visibility is extremely limited.
  • Seico mart is a (mostly) Hokkaido only convenience store. Many of their product are locally sourced.

Osaka

  • Famous food: Okonomiyaki osaka style(because hiroshima style is different), kushikatsu(fried skewer), takoyaki, udon
  • a lot of bikes on the pedestrian walkway!
  • on the escalator, people stand on the right instead of left like other parts of Japan
  • but they still intuitively walk on the left when on the road/stairs
  • convenience store also sell prepped okonomiyaki
  • people are more loose and chill

Kyoto

  • famous food: matcha-related dessert and tea shop, oyako donburi

fukuoka

  • famous food: mentaiko(pollock roe), tonkotsu(pork bone) ramen, pork cutlet, motsu nabe(hotpot with beef organs), yatai(food truck that only appears after 5 pm)
  • due to how close it is to korea, there are quite a lot of koreans in the town
  • Yatai is mostly visited by tourist, for the experience
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