What you didn’t know about Japan

Sure, the world is now a global village and communication has allowed us to cross even the most treacherous boundaries but it’s imperative that you remain on guard because not everything we see or hear is a depiction of reality. Japan, a case in point is the epitome of technological advancement and an awe inspiring country. So many of us would do just about anything to live the fast life in Tokyo but it’s only because we don’t know any better.

Japan is not a country you can just waltz in expecting to enjoy every moment of it. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles in your way would be the language barrier since hardly anyone speaks English. So if you don’t know their language, consider yourself alienated. Moreover everything from the automated toilets to their electronic machines have only one language of instruction, you guessed it, Japanese! So isn’t it great to be surrounded with technology and be at your wits end on how to use it? Chances are you will feel technologically challenged but don’t be alarmed as it won’t be because your brain hasn’t evolved enough.

You would think that a country this advanced with a highly sophisticated transportation system would make public modes of travel cheap. Think again because unless you have a special train or bus pass you are going to have to pay through your nose to get to your desired destination. Also take into account that on many train stations the route maps of connecting towns and cities are not in English so it’s very troublesome finding the correct platform. What is really bewildering is that it’s cheaper to travel to Hawaii than it is to travel to some domestic localities. Hence, Japanese tourists are quite commonly seen in Europe and the West in general and have even been given the privilege of being named the best tourists in the world.

It’s also ironic how not many people can afford to keep a car in a country that is home to one of the world’s biggest automobile industries. The vehicle in itself is inexpensive but the cost of running it is not. Not only does one have to bear the brunt of high fuel prices but would also have to pay a significant fee for parking space. Hence many people prefer bicycles that are not only cost effective but are also very good exercise.

Realistically speaking though, you can’t count on bicycles if you want to travel a long distance, go shopping or when the weather is bad, so if you ever decide to visit don’t consider it as your only mode of transport.

The Japanese national character is admirable to say the least; embedded in their persona is politeness, respect, equality and fairness. It is very unlikely that you would come across rude staff at offices or department stores, if anything they are polite to the extent that it’s annoying, apologising several times for something as petty as not having cello tape to secure your shopping bags! Sometimes one wonders where all that patience and tolerance comes from.

Not to sound stereotypical but the Japanese people are identical in everything from the way they dress, the homes they live in, the cars they own, the food they eat, the brands they adore and the ethics they comply to. It is indeed a homogenous nation in every respect. It’s almost as though they are fitted with a predesigned chip at birth. This uniformity is perhaps one of the reasons why this nation is so stable, resilient and economically sound. However to befriend them you need to be like them so you might want to kiss your individuality goodbye.

While most Japanese citizens are very humble, they do crave branded goods which are very fundamental to their social status. You will find people particularly the young sporting designer handbags and outfits but it really isn’t a show of their wealth as even the relatively poor have branded goods. For them it has become an absolute necessity to own at least one Louis vuitton handbag.

It’s safe to say that the Japanese are fanatics when it comes to shopping, so much so that most homes have enormous storage space but a very small living space. They buy everything from consumables to clothes to electronics in bulk irrespective of whether those things are even necessary. There is absolutely no denying the fact that places like Harajuku and Akhiabara in Tokyo have some of the world’s best and relatively cheapest buys.

Shopping in department stores is also very fascinating where usually the ground floor is devoted solely to food items with aisles and aisles of well presented fresh foods. Bento boxes (Lunch boxes) with assorted foods such as rice and fish can be purchased at throw away prices after 9 pm. Rest assured you would never starve if you are living in a country like Japan!

So this is just a figment of Japanese life which the media depicts as something out of the world and mind blowing. To be fair, a tad overrated don’t you think?