Gifting Culture The Japanese are a formal bunch. Even when being casual, they’re dressed up, groomed, and polished. This is not the land of PJ-wearing Walmart shoppers. Part of that formality is the giving and receiving of gifts, or omiyage. It’s not the cost or size of the gift, it’s the act of thinking of …
The Necessity of Being On Time All cultures have their own, idiosyncratic societal norms. The unwritten rules enabling a civil and collaborative society. Above all else, the Japanese are polite and considerate to others. As a people, they collectively place the convenience of others above their own. No where is that more noticeable than Japan’s …
Public Restrooms and Wet Hands Most public restrooms in Japan are modern, fastidiously clean, and sport washlets on every toilet. But you’ll rarely find a paper towel in a public facility. Outside of higher end hotels, disposable, single-use paper towels are rarely seen in public restrooms. While many public restrooms have high-tech air dryers, this …