I had the opportunity to live in Japan for 1 year back in 2006 at Ome, Tokyo and 8 months back in 2000 at Yokohama. Except after the Great Eastern Earthquake, there might be some changes in life in Japan. But during my stay last 2006 and 2000. Life in Japan is very simple and stress-free. On weekday, I report to work from 8 AM to 5 PM; and on weekends, stay at home doing my household chores and watching movies and if there is a free time, I go out with my friends. though I am living in company’s dormitory, life is very simple and relaxing.
From Going Out
The environment when you go out is very clean. Even when you stay the whole day at the highway in Yokohama, your nose won’t get dirty from the vehicles smoke (I tried it once). I tried to go to the busiest train station in Japan, Shibuya, and that’s it, people are moving in the fast pace but when you look in details, you won’t see people fighting from the train going out to the streets. Respect with each other is in practice.
In Eating
Before you start your meal with a fellow Japanese, try to say, itadakimasu (silent u). It is a way of saying that we will start our meal now and thanks for our meal which we will eat together. Chopstick is being used in most of the restaurants there even the fast food chain like the Matsuya, etc. In using the disposable chopstick, hold it on a horizontal position and parallel to your body. With one hand in one of the stick and your other hand holding the other, gently break the chopsticks lifting your hand (which you prefer to life up, your right hand or left hand). In eating noodles, make sure you are sipping the noodles (like making sound – shuuurrrpppp!!!). The sound you make is a way of saying that you are delighted with the way the noodle is prepared and cook and the noodle dish is delicious (Don’t do it if the noodle take bad..haha..) And after meal, one should say, gochishou (silent u) sama deshita (thanks for the meal we had together).
At Malls and beautiful places,
Entering malls, Japanese people are very polite. They would welcome you by saying, irashaimase (i-ra-sha-i-ma-se) or welcome in English. Though at weekend or holidays, malls in Japan are very crowded. And Disneyland is not left behind for the number of people visiting. Even though Japanese people had already visited Tokyo Disneyland, they will still visit the place for around 3 to 4 times. They want to check for new attractions and want to get the feeling of enjoying the place. They have the point. I visited it once but on my second time around, I was able to enjoy more of the themes. I think I would enjoy more on my 3rd visit… =)
I had the opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji. Wow an amazing mountain with the top filled with snows. Climbing start from July to August and by September, the mountain will be closed to climbers since snows is building on the top. On my first and last climb, 200 meters and I am on the peak but I didn’t proceed since I’m on a rubber shoes and wind is gusty and the remaining 200 meters is already rocky, a nice decent climbing shoes should make it to the top.
In Sleeping
Before the Japanese people go to bed, they will bath and stay on a hot tub or a small pool (sort of like a Jacuzzi minus the bubbles) with hot water (that can boil eggs, just joking) to relax those tired and aching muscles. Japanese people call it by the name – ofuro. It is good for those suffering from spasm (pasma in Filipino). I had that spasm in my hand and my constant ofuro, my hand spasm is already gone. Japanese take a bath and spend time in ofuro before going to sleep. They said that one should clean oneself first before going to the bed as to be clean in sleeping. And in morning, they are not taking bath before going out, since with the wet hair, you can catch colds.
In buying things
In supermarkets, don’t compare the price with the price in your country since Japan has a very high standard of living. In supermarket, you can buy your food and food at night will cost less especially the food for 1 day consumption only. I go there to buy for my dinner and also bread I usually eat late at night.
In electronic stores, electronic goods are much cheaper compared with other home countries even if Japan has a 6% (I think) tax. Some said that electronic goods being sold in Singapore and Middle east is close the price of goods sold in Japan. Japan has the latest model compared with other countries. Same is true for the vehicles. More models are being launch in Japan and it will take 2 years or more before you see those model in other countries.
In Politics
I didn’t bother in their politics since news is in Japanese.
By the way, during my stay, frequent earthquakes will be encountered. And earthquake is a norm there. Don’t panic if at the middle of the night, you experience a powerful quake. Buildings and home there are earthquake proof. My friend who is working with office in a high rise building, earthquake drills is being exercised and people there take the drill as a real scenario. You can see now Japanese people are very discipline. For those near the shoreline, wait for the warning or just look around your neighbor if they are already evacuating.
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