Observations on Japan

1. When you get on a bus you only pay when you leave not when you get on. So how the hell does the driver remember where each person got on and how much to charge when they get off? I guess the Japanese are an honest bunch so it only raises eyebrows from fair dodging sods like me!

2. Eating in Japan. If youre a fussy eater then youll probably spend your time mostly in mcdonalds as generally thats the only wide spread western eatery. Some dishes are quite bizzare and of some of the weird things Ive tried, Ive definately had to carefully spit them out again. There are english pubs that do stuff like fish and chips but ive tried to avoid them and go japanesey. Oh, and if you cant use chopsticks youre generally buggered too!

3. They love using cartoons in adverts. Although this is quite similar to places in Europe like Spain, this is on a whole other level. Like using a cartoon pigeon to dipict what happens if you try and get in a train carriage when the doors are closing. Also, about 50% of models in poster adverts are westerners bizzarly. However, every advert be it bill board or TV is 100% bonkers mad off its rocker.

4. They love their comics. Loads of people of all ages reading comic books on the trains. and why not I say! No Superman or Batman yet though......

5. Crossing the road in Japan. You can die of old age waiting for pelican crossings to turn to the green man. And they have them at every crossing be it large or small. The funny thing is none of the Japanese like jaywalking. It could be the quitest road with no one around and they will wait for the green man. Im just crossing when its safe, sod the lights whih is quite funny when youve literally got about 100 people waiting either side of the road and your this stupid westerner crossing on a red light. Im soo naughty.

6. Subways have women only carriages in the morning rush hour. Groping of women is THAT much of a problem at rush hour.

7. There are 2 types of toilets in Japan. Japanese style which is basically squatting over a hole and western style which is same as back home. However, they have added a Japanese twist which includes in built radios, seat heater (bliss) and water spray and air dry. Theyre superb and I want one whenI get back home. What I dont get is that once youve tried the modern deluxe one, who in their right mind would want to go back to squatting?

8. The people over here are ridiculosly friendly and helpful. As i explained in the last entry this guy walked me to my hostel. It happened again the other day when some old guy started chatting to me on the tube. I said I was looking for a hotel and hoped I found one asit was getting late. HE basically gave me his phone number and said I could stay at his house if i didnt! Id only been speaking to him for 5 minutes!

9. They cycle on the pavement. And boy do some of them bollock along! And they rarely ring their bell so walking the streets can sometimes be very hazardous.

10. Hardly anyone locks up their bikes. This can be problematic when walking home drunk when your lost. The temptation can be overwhelming. I havent sucombed to it yet.......

11. Subways often smell of sewage. Not what you want when your travelling first thing in the morning and the whole platform smells of farts

12. Bad teeth. I always thought it was the British that were known for bad teeth. You should see some of the goofy crocodiles out here.

13. Lots of brail everywhere. Even on top of beer cans. So you can find it with your eyes closed. Great

14. All people handing out annoying fliers and freebies outside shops have to wear illuminous jackets so you can spot them a mile off and avoid.

15. All books and magazines are back to front. Our back cover is their front cover and they read backwards. Just for the hell of it

16. Everytime a train conductor enters and leaves a carriage he bows and gives a little speech. Which absolutely no one takes any notice of.

17. Trains are so punctual its frightning. Every train Ive caught has arrived and left on the exact minute it says on the ticket. Seems like only a distant dream for all you BR commuters out there.....

18. When a train arrives at and leaves a station a little cheesy muzak ditty is played. How nice.

19. Hardly any graffiti out here.

20. All mobile phones are off the flip open type. I thought they would prefer nice small dinky ones. And just to make them more combasome they attach loads of key rings and key fobs , some are as large as the phone itself!

21. The Japanese will eat anything. Including their own pooh. Nah, I made that one up.

Sat Dec 3, 2005 8:11 pm