This article was originally published on Travlerz
Japan is one country that never ceases to amaze visitors. From incredible public bathroom systems to the ridiculous level of trust between strangers, it's no wonder why this nation fascinates people from all over. And luckily, you don't need to spend endless hours on a plane to see their marvels because we've rounded up some of the nation's most unique and special aspects. Although we're warning you: we can't guarantee you won't catch the travel bug.
The Right Way To Protest
So it turns out that when bus drivers go on strike in Japan, they don't stop working. They actually continue to drive their routes and simply don't take fares from passengers! They still get people where they need to go, but the bus companies lose tons of money. Sounds genius if you ask us. It seems like an effective way to have your voice heard. A protest in another country might involve a few arrests and fines.
The issue between workers and the Ryobi bus company began after a competing bus service opened with lower tickets. Concerned drivers demanded better job security. When an agreement couldn't be reached, the bus drivers simply covered the ticket machines on buses and refused to accept fares from the public.
An Accessible Approach
Those of us with decent eyesight are unlikely to buy a six-pack of canned beer and mistake it for soda, resulting in alcohol intoxication. But for people who can't see well or at all, this is an actual possibility, especially in stores where soda and beer are sold close together. So Japan had a unique and simple solution for this problem, and we can see said solution pictured below.
Japanese brewers started printing the word "beer" in Braille on the top of their cans around ten years ago, exactly next to the tab you'd pull to open it and take a gulp. It wasn't something the government forced on the brewers; instead, they banded together to make information more readily available to a segment of the Japanese population with specific needs.
We Should All Follow This Trend
Now, this is definitely something we've never seen before. Japanese fans helped clean up the stadium after a FIFA Worldcup match! Every single one of the fans stayed after the game, walking around and collecting trash with these blue plastic bags. Regardless of whether Japan won or lost, they would do the cleaning anyhow. What a beautiful practice of community care and respecting one's environment. We could all learn something from this tradition.
The act of cleaning up is part of Japanese culture, and the “unusual behavior” of the national team’s fans did not surprise those who know them well.
Baby, Hang On For A While!
This looks so amazing. Plus, it helps single parents use public toilets without the stress of not knowing what to do with their babies. This hanging chair on the side of a bathroom stall is a helpful idea for parents who are out and about alone. It looks so wholesome, and even kids find these comfortable. They can feel happy along with being relaxed. It's certainly better than being placed in the sink!
Other countries should try to have these so that moms and dads can be hands-free to do what they need to do and also keep an eye on the baby.
Food Coma In A Hospital
We don't know about you, but the food in our hospitals is far from looking this tasty. In fact, hospital food is one of those things people joke about because of how bad it is. But this cannot be said about Japanese hospitals. Just look at those meals; they look like they came straight out of a restaurant. So many side dishes, and it all looks so beautiful. It is hard to believe that such delicious foods are served in hospitals!
Food is what heals, and this food is perfect for someone who needs healing. More hospitals should be inspired by this example; we have a feeling it would raise patients' spirits.
Save Water, Save Earth
Japan is a country of limited resources, but they have learned to save their resources in unique ways. This toilet-sink combination seems like a brilliant idea to save water. But one may wonder why this isn't a standard around the world. For those who've never been to Japan, it's a wondrous place on the cutting edge of technology, and sometimes, you'll come across things that seem simple at first but are quite clever.
This system costs less than conventional toilets and is also a good idea for conserving water. Maybe it's more of a space problem as many Japanese homes are smaller, and having a separate sink wouldn't be possible. But having the sink be part of the toilet is a great use of space and the best way to reuse water.
Artistic Manholes
Japan has a creative way to make manholes beautiful. They have turned these unavoidable eyesores into real works of art with interesting, colorful paintings. The designs feature Japanese history and folklore. In fact, people don't want to step on them because they are so pretty. Spending too much time gazing at the phone while walking the streets of Japan might cause one to overlook what's right in front of them.
The Japanese take pride in everything. What a great way for people to view and stay connected to heritage! And it's fun to stare at, too.
Learning 2.0
In Japan, it is common for students to stay at school after classes and clean the place. It is said to help develop life skills such as personal responsibility. It's also a chance to interact with students who aren't their classmates and spend time with teachers in a less formal way. Students become more conscious of cleanliness and are less likely to throw trash in the first place since they know they will be responsible for cleaning it up.
It prepares them for the future as children learn to clean up their rooms and living places. This also helps them learn to become productive members of society and grow into more responsible and respectful citizens.
They Take Responsibility
There are a lot of bicycles on the streets of Japan, and it's not uncommon for someone to break others' bikes. Japan emphasizes empathy and understanding about how others would feel as a result of your actions. Honesty is such a remarkable trait, and the Japanese seem to have plenty of it. In what other country could someone leave money for damaging a stranger's bike without a single person stealing it?
Is it really due to a sense of social responsibility or a set of virtues or moral values? Or maybe it is an emotional matter of not wanting to have a nagging feeling of guilt or embarrassment for running away?
Ultra-Smooth Bullet Trains
How fascinating is it that the bullet train in Japan goes so fast that it feels as if it's standing still? The rails there are so smooth and stable that even at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour, the coin can stand on the table and not fall. You can balance a coin perpendicular to the direction of travel. So cool! Well, the bullet train system has to be that smooth, or the rhythmic vibrations and motions would eventually tear it apart.
Great ride, but a traveler can't do any sightseeing. The landscape moves so fast that the brain can't process it well. Plus, the bullet train hits tunnels with no warning, so it's a shock! But a person can be at their destination in no time. So, enjoy its pros and cons.
Societal Trust
Is this what it feels like to live in a perfect world? People who believe that the society they live in is looking out for them tend to live in a way that always supports that society rather than just themselves. And in Japan, there is such a sense of collective responsibility that if someone loses something, they will get it back as it is at the same place. Just like whoever left this bag lying around the street.
People in other places tend to either run away with the bags or stay away from them due to safety concerns!
Power In Numbers
The photo below shows train passengers and railway staff pushing a train to rescue an unlucky woman who fell while getting off and got stuck between the train and the platform. We hope that people anywhere would have done the same thing in such a scenario. The commuters pushed the train just enough to free the woman, and, fortunately, she was not severely injured. There's certainly power in numbers.
Fun fact: In Japan, they give you a note to give to your boss that explains why you were late if the train is delayed more than 90 seconds!
Just Cleanliness
According to statistics, Japan has 98.1% of clean water access. We can see how clean the water below is as the fish, swimming in an artificial stream by the street, are easily visible. Their presence is an indication that pollution levels are tolerable to some life forms. Maybe it’s a canal commonly built to supply spring water in homes, and Koi are kept in it to keep it free from algae.
There are some towns in Japan where the locals raise Koi in the drainage canals. The street’s gutters are so clean they are home to hundreds of koi carp!
Toilet Goals
Wow! There is a public toilet sound system in Japan. Some toilets in Japan have a button that plays white noise or water sounds so that people can feel comfortable going to the bathroom. This is a true sign of thoughtfulness. And that's not all: Japanese toilets spray water into your bum at five different adjustable water pressures, shoot puffs of air to dry, warm the seat, and so much more.
We think this sound feature probably exists because people used to flush the toilet the entire time they went so no one could hear them. It wasted massive amounts of water, so they just made an electronic version to appease everybody. How innovative!
Discipline On Another Level
It’s pretty orderly, but this picture seems too good to be true. Everyone is going up the stairs on the correct side, even though the other side is empty. It just goes to show that if we follow the rules, it can make less mess around us. In other parts of the world, we would have seen a lot of people taking the stairs in the wrong direction. Especially during the rush hour!
The obedient residents of Japan displaying Japanese social discipline is a must-watch. Such a nice example of how everyone follows the rules and respects each other. In that way, they can all be on time for their respective jobs.
Wardrobe For Umbrellas
Placing an umbrella below your chair or hanging it against the door and hoping it won't be stolen seems like a thing of the past in Japan. Rainfall is very common, especially during typhoon season, and it is inconvenient to carry an umbrella everywhere. Therefore, they came up with these little parking lots for umbrellas. People can put their umbrellas and lock them. That way, nobody takes someone else's umbrella accidentally.
We applaud them for having such umbrella locks. And we'll probably petition our local malls to do the same.
It’s Your Choice, You Get To Decide!
The advanced toilet systems in Japan have electronic maps to know which booths are occupied or vacant. This is a great idea because it saves people the trouble of having to check which stalls are available, especially if the doors are closed, but no one is in there. It also saves people from the embarrassment of opening a door mistakenly because it wasn't locked and interlocking eyes with someone doing their business.
Such a genius idea. However, it should be marked red if a stall had been recently occupied for over 10 minutes. Then you can avoid walking into an unpleasant odor!
Expectation Meets Reality
Why does everything in Japan look exactly like the ad says? Does Japanese society respect their consumers or something? Maybe the Japanese have a very low tolerance for dissonance between expectations and reality. This is why they have the plastic models, and the food will be spot on the way it's depicted, just like this person's Starbucks order. We have huge respect for their honesty. It seems like businesses in Japan don't believe in misleading advertisements.
The presentation of food is a huge deal for the Japanese, and they never disappoint us. We wouldn't expect anything less if it's Japan.
People Carry Little Personal Trash Cans
In different parts of the world, it's not uncommon to see someone walking around as they eat a snack only to drop the snack's wrapper on the floor a few minutes later. However, everyone in Japan has a dedicated trash bag that they keep in their backpack for wrappers and other personal trash. They carry their trash with them until they're at home and can dispose of it privately.
People in Japan would never throw gum on the ground, and we're left wondering how many more times they are going to impress us.
Convenient and Free!
These little freezers are located near stores so that shoppers can keep foods cold while they continue buying. You might be thinking, 'Why not just get your frozen stuff at the end?' Well, in many Japanese malls, there are specialty food stores separate from the main grocery. So, if someone wants to buy some high-quality meat and desserts, they'd go to a different part of the mall. And when someone buys stuff like meat or ice cream, they can put it in the refrigerated locker to continue the rest of the shopping without any worry.
The entire world should take note of their efficiency and order. How convenient is it to store cold or frozen foods and have your hands free for the next grocery haul?
Another Sweet Gesture By the Japanese
Here is another reason to fall in love with Japan. Look how cute and vibrant these Originami are! In other countries, banks and restaurants might have something like a mint or a candy to take on the way out. And they'll usually add some lollipops for the children. But in Japan, some places leave out beautiful Origami for their patrons that people of all ages can enjoy. We love that idea.
Well, who doesn’t love anything that’s for free? People should admire such sweet gestures as it shows how much Japanese people care about others.
Disciplined Nation
Here is another example of Japan's neatness. Well, the toddlers might not be able to stand in line, but exceptions are always there. It's still better than subway stations with no order, where people can even get hurt by pushing each other. It's best to maintain decorum when there's a rush. They have a very efficient and reliable transportation system, so people trust that if they stand in line, they'll get where they need to go.
Being disciplined is what we can learn from the Japanese. From their childhood, they learn the manners of standing in line and waiting for their turn.
Japan Vs. Rest Of The World
Japanese people are going to behave according to their values wherever they go or even when no one sees them. And the picture below proves it. This survey in a store asks people to place a red dot under the name of the country they came from. One glance at the photo shows how all countries put their dots in a disorganized manner -- except for Japan. Their dots are perfectly lined up.
Well, be it in real life or on paper, the Japanese know how to maintain order. They seem to handle everything to the smallest details, and this is the proof.
Smartphone Wiper Dispenser
Japan's state-of-the-art technology and advanced thinking help them stand out. The photo below shows a dispenser for wipes to clean your smartphone, but it's also an advertisement for paid Wi-Fi coverage for visitors in Japan. No doubt, it's an excellent way to promote any business. We bet no foreigners ever expected to have a wipe for their phone instead of tissue paper at the toilet. This is some next-level toilet courtesy in Japan.
Phones can carry even more bacteria than a toilet seat, and we are constantly touching them or bringing them to our faces. That is why the Japanese thought it would be good to have phone disinfecting wipes in bathroom stalls.
You Get Waved Goodbye!
In this picture, the crewmembers are saying goodbye to their departing aircraft members. They are just being respectful and are paying their regards. What we love about them is their sense of courtesy. Even when someone is around in a neighborhood in Japan and goes down for a morning walk, neighbors there greet them warmly. It’s very heartwarming to see such lovely gestures. These little gestures can make anyone’s day.
It's impressive how they are brought up so well! It shows how kind and courteous they are no matter how advanced they have become in technology and innovations.
It Feels Like Literally Everything Is Organized
Wow, is there anything in Japan that isn’t organized? It looks like the Japanese airport sorts luggage by color to make it easy for travelers to find it. Travelers might run into this scene, seeing Japanese airport staff sorting luggage on the belt by their color. This is not related to innovation but more so with the obsession with perfection and hospitality. A round of applause for how organized this is!
The hassle of finding our bags at the airport is real. However, lucky are the people in Japan whose bags are sorted just like their own lives!
Room Courtesy
The attention to detail in Japan is the best. If anyone visits Japan and stays at a hotel, they might see something as creative and novel as a lamp with two bulbs or a lamp that can be half-lit. This bedside lamp looks so esthetically pleasing as the other person can sleep peacefully without having the tension of lights. Unfortunately for the "other" person, their half of the room is much closer to being fully lit than fully dark. But this is still better than nothing!
This lamp is a perfect solution if the bedroom has two beds and one person likes to stay up late reading, and the other one wants to rest. Innovation can be learned from Japan as they always come up with solutions to every problem.
A+ Customer Service
This gesture speaks of politeness that is uncommon in many parts of the world. This seller gave a note to a buyer visiting from outside Japan to thank the person for shopping with them. "Thank you for purchasing this time," the seller wrote, "I will send you a little present." And indeed they did! Check out the little Origami crane attached at the bottom of the note! How sweet.
It’s so touching when someone makes us feel special, and the Japanese are on another level with that. You can learn how to be nice to people without any personal benefits. This can just make the world a better place to be in!
Always Prioritize Kids
In Japan, they focus on education through providing group-oriented environments and hands-on training at a young age. After all, education is essential for the Japanese and is a source of national pride for them. While this kid is having a great time, it also gives them an opportunity to learn something new. Plus, pretending to drive a bus provides practical experience and ideas about the world and potential careers.
However, we know how hard it is to travel with kids, especially at such a young age. They can run around and give you quite a headache. So, the Japanese people know how to keep themselves happy as well as engaged in productive activity!
Free Foot Bath
Have you ever wanted to travel in a fast train that provides a smooth ride because of advanced rail systems and lets the passengers relax by enabling them to soak their feet in a tub of water? Passengers can have a footbath as it soothes the muscles and hydrates the skin as well. Also, this can help calm the person if they are on a long journey. This is a luxury service we haven’t seen anywhere else in the world.
If the footbaths aren't calming enough, travelers can alternatively recline on tatami mats in a neighboring cabin. There is a bar counter on the train, which offers local wine and sake.
Right On The Spot!
Japan does emphasize uniformity and perfection. It's in their blood. The Japanese also know how to drive without blocking one another. It shows how efficient they are as almost everyone managed to park very neatly and as close together as possible too. We may wonder how hard it would be to get a driver's license there because the struggles look real. And the idea of reverse parking is kind of annoying though it's easier to get out.
Well, in reverse parking, we can see any pedestrian or car on the road and in the parking spot before we park. And when we get out, we see the lane and any cars/pedestrians going by. So that way, we’re guaranteed not to hit someone or something when parking or leaving. What’s better than that?
Apology Without A Complaint
Japanese trains are cool for several reasons, the topmost of which is how punctual and on time they are. It’s pretty common among Japanese people that Japan’s trains are far more precise and punctual than their overseas counterparts. Take an example of the Tokyo train company Tsukuba Express which apologized for a 20-second-early departure. One of the most admirable aspects of Japanese society is that they consistently try to look at things from the user’s point of view and are willing to offer a sincere apology even for understandable inconveniences.
Well, in many countries the train doesn’t come at all, and nobody even informs the passengers. And in Japan, we never see people idling around on the platforms ahead of time. Instead, people show up to catch trains less than ten minutes before departure.
Emergency Procedures
It is impressive how the Japanese always think beyond the present and prepare themselves for worst-case scenarios in advance. Like this little seat on an elevator that's perfect for someone needing a "little break" or a rest. However, it's just for an emergency, like when someone is stuck in the lift. Not for daily use! They see something and ask themselves, "what can we do here to ensure nothing bad happens."
Fun fact: In the movies, if someone gets stuck in an elevator, there's always a woman who goes into labor and at least one person who's claustrophobic and freaks out. And, oh, yeah, don't forget the 4-year-old who has to go "right now."
Visual Representation Is Important
Fake, plastic menu items in front of restaurants that look just like real food can also help attract customers. It's convenient when someone doesn't know how to speak Japanese! As tourists, most people think they are the real thing. Thankfully no one ever tried to take a bite of a wax apple or plastic noodles. It's a foreigner's dream to eat delicious food even though they can't speak their national language. So, they order food just by looking at the food already being displayed. Plus, in Japan, the food comes exactly as shown in the picture. So, the waiter doesn't have to spend 10 minutes describing the menu items to the picky eaters.
Previously, fake food was made out of wax, but now, non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used. It’s super convenient to make a choice because we get to see the food first before we actually get served with the original food.
Service For Everyone
Amazing to see that the Japanese people are considerate about everyone, including men, women, kids, and as well as elderly people who might have trouble holding their sticks while withdrawing money from ATMs. It may seem like something that is not too common in Japan, but they had to come up with this solution because Japanese citizens aged 65 and older reached a new all-time high of 36.4 million in 2021.
On the other hand, it can be useful to put umbrellas there as well. Overall, it is a thoughtful initiative to help the elderly perform tasks without any issues.
Pedestrian Scramble
In Japan, zigzag crossings are very common. There are around 300 such crossroads in the city. The largest and most famous diagonal crossing can be seen here in the picture. During the two minutes of green light, almost 3,000 pedestrians can cross, making it one of the most well-known pedestrian scrambles in the world. Traffic is stopped in all four ways to allow pedestrians to cross safely in high-volume areas. Well, this may work on minor two-lane roads but would be a disaster in timing for multi-lane intersections with heavy traffic.
But we should implement more in other areas that desperately need them. Sometimes we end up with crosswalks that allow us to cross on one side of the street, but not the other side, and for no reason. Sigh!
Snap It Out!
There are some tourist spots in Japan where people can place their phones on a stand to take a good selfie. It is best as it ensures we don’t have to awkwardly ask a stranger to click a picture for us. Even if they capture it, we’re mostly disappointed by their photography skills! So, our readers must have learned by now that the Japanese care deeply about the smallest of things and are always striving to make life better for everyone.
Japan is very thoughtful about tourists as well because mostly they come and visit alone, so it’s good to take back some good nostalgic memories with them by capturing precious moments. Also perfect for couples to click their selfies on their own.
Apologize Before It's Too Late
The Japanese have a very high standard of living. In most of the well-known hotels, they have an extremely high reputation to uphold to any of their customers. If a VIP is holding a key conference call or whatever and the internet cuts, this can be considered extremely unprofessional. So, it’s understandable for them to apologize for the brief internet outage. We are pleased to see the utmost standards of professionalism being so vigilantly upheld.
However, there are a lot of places in Japan that work keenly on even small details. They take their jobs seriously and value their customers above all.
Weathermen Reporting
The elevators in buildings have an umbrella sign that lights up if it is raining outside. It makes us wonder: Are there no windows in buildings to keep a check on rain? What action do we need to take based on this information? Does the elevator sell an umbrella as well? Or maybe it's to let us know what to expect because we'll see it before we even get into the elevator, so we can put our plans on hold and go back to our office or apartment for an umbrella.
Well, on the other hand, there are many umbrellas vending machines in Japan. A large complex or even a small workplace may have it nearby. Anyone can buy cheap umbrellas almost everywhere.
Admirable Enough!
The hospital in Japan offers glasses with different prescriptions for filling out forms as most people normally forget glasses at home or feel so lazy to pick a pair with them on the way out! In Japan, they are quite easily available at post offices and banks as well. Not tied down either, just available if anyone needs them. How considerate and helpful! It’s worth praising that they do everything they can to assist their aging population.
What else can we conclude? Maybe, the Japanese are not that perfect! They also have to chain down the glasses so they don't get taken. Or maybe, the people who used them were just old and forgot and kept them on, rather than stealing them on purpose. Or maybe those aren't even chained to the table. Those could be those glasses necklace/holder things? Who knows!