This time I will tell about Japanese experiences that have been a surprise for me. Before I came to Tokyo in the end of March, I already knew many things about Japan. I have still learned many new things here in the last two and half months.

One thing are paper face masks that many people in Tokyo wear. Before I came here, I thought that people use them because of the pollution. Air pollution is really a one reason, but usually Japanese use them when they have a flu so that other people would not get that too, and because they don’t want to show their red nose. People also use masks during flu season because they don’t want to get sick.

Another reason is the pollen allergy. Especially in the spring season many Japanese and others who are here have strong pollen allergy reactions because there are so many cedars here.

Nice surprise here was that tap water is drinkable and it tastes good. In Asia you can drink tap water only in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

I didn’t know that in Japan the traffic is left-hand, and that was a surprise to me in the first day here. People also stand on the left side on escalators. I was happy to see, that there is not always traffic jam in trains.

I have bought a membership for city bikes here, so for me it was a surprise to learn, that in Japan you usually have hand brake in bikes. It’s nice that here you can bike on sidewalk or on highway. City bikes are also electronic here. I was first suspicious about them, but now I love how fast and light they are to pedal.

Funny thing for foreigner is how much Japanese love vending machines. In Toyo University’s cafeterias you first choose from a vending machine which food you want to eat and pay it to a vending machine. Then you get a ticket that you give to a person who is working in the kitchen where you want to get food. Also, in many other restaurants you choose and pay food using a vending machine and then you get that food in a table.

There are also ticket vending machines in small onsens and sentōs. In these Japanese bathhouses I was also amazed that you usually wash yourself sitting on a stool and that water is so hot in pools and that you don’t swim in pools.

Sometimes I wonder why there are machines even many places with lots of workers. In some supermarkets you give your items to a cashier but pay in a machine. Maybe that is because then there will be no mistakes with money.

There are also cheap drink machines everywhere which is useful, and the drink selection is wide. There are many funny drinks like clear Coca-Cola, clear coffee and clear tea that look like water or yoghourt water.

There are also many other kinds of machines where you can buy snacks and other things. You just need coins for them, like you also need cash when you buy other things in Japan. It’s strange that Tokyo is so technically modern city but still you can’t pay here by cards in many places. And that the smallest amount of money you can get out of an ATM with Visa is 10 000 yens (79 euros)!

When we speak to workers, I also wonder how there are so many workers in the street just saying bypassers hello and warning when there is worksite or water on the street. They are so solicitous.

A thing that is very annoying in Japan is sellers who all the time say welcome in loud voice in shops. Usually they just repeat that nonstop. It’s not nice to try to choose clothes or food in that noise. But here are also the most polite and friendly customer servants I have ever met.

Many shops are small in Tokyo because rents are so high here. I have been here several small shops with narrow aisles that sell only one thing like fruits, towels or lollipops. In Finland many shops are big, and they are not so specialised. On the other hand, here are also super big shops in the downtown, like the biggest second-hand shops I have ever seen. It was also funny to see, that in bookstores Japanese customers stand quietly and read books they have not bought.

And I love the Seven Eleven kiosks here, that are open 24 hours and sell all the basic things that you can need and good snacks and convenience food. I would love to have them also in Finland.

But I don’t like how much people use here disposable and plastic bags. Many shops sell individual fruits in a plastic bag, even bananas. You get a small plastic bag when you buy anything, even a very tiny thing like a chewing gum. Many things are packed separately for small pieces. That is hygienic and looks cute, but it makes lot of trash which is not ecological.

It was also a surprise how few garbage cans there are on the street and buildings. Streets are still very clean. I learnt that Japanese usually carry garbage with them and throw them away when they are back home. It’s great how people recycle everything here. Even on the streets and buildings there are different kind of garbage cans for all different trash. In this respect Japan is a very ecological country.

Many restaurants, cafés and bars are small in Tokyo, but you can see them everywhere. Here you can find a new bar or café in every level of a tall building.

I knew beforehand that there are many theme cafés and restaurants in Tokyo, but I have get surprised about all the funny themes I didn’t know beforehand like the ninja restaurant Ninja Akasaka, Zauo where you catch your own fish, Robot Restaurant, Vampire Café and Owl and Hedgehogs Café. I want to go all of them! Maybe just the Jesus-themed eatery, the horror restaurant Lock Up, the prison restaurant Alcatraz ER and Snake Cafe are too much for me.

I have already been in the sumo restaurant Hananomai and Maidreamin, Alice in a Labyrinth, Kawaii Monster Café and Gundam Café theme cafés. They were unique experiences.

I am waiting for all the new surprises that Japan will give to me!

All photos are mine.