Different Customs in Japan

I returned from a visit to Kyoto, Japan earlier this month. Kyoto is one of the oldest, best preserved cities in Japan. It was the capital of Japan for more than 1000 years and was not bombed in WW II. Geishas are an ancient custom is many parts of Japan, but they are still being trained in Kyoto. As we were headed back to the hotel in late afternoon, we'd frequently see young Geishas on the streets. I'd guess that they were students.

One custom unique to Kyoto in the summer was carrying hand towels and wash cloths to help control perspiration. It was hot and very humid in Kyoto. We saw people visiting shrines and gardens with towels around their necks. Every now and then they'd stop and wipe their faces. Department stores  sold small, brightly colored squares of terry cloth for women to use. The dimensions of hand towels have been adjusted to fit around the neck; they are longer and narrower than the ones in the United States.

Another custom was the politeness and willingness to help. I'm sure you're familiar with the bowing, but when I'd stand aside to let a bicycle pass, the rider would nod to acknowledge the appreciation of my action. Everywhere I went in Kyoto, people were willing to help me. Most people carried small note pads so that I could write my question. Frequently they would write the answer in English. Many people understood some form of English or knew someone who did.

Japanese people are in much better shape than Americans. The only people I'd call overweight were the Sumo wrestlers. Portions of food were smaller than what's served in the U.S. Bottles of Coke were approximately 10 ounces. Lots of people rode bicycles.

One custom throughout Japan that I'd like to see copied in the United States is the cleaning of hands before a meal. Usually warm, moist wash cloths are offered to diners before a meal. Even at fast food restaurants, you'd be offered something, frequently a moistened wipe inside a plastic container; it would be similar to what we're offered after eating a meal of ribs.

The amount of recycling was greater than anything I've seen in the U.S. -- even California. Everyone did it. Envelopes with those clear windows had the clear material removed so that the paper could be recycled. Most soft drink containers were made of glass; i didn't see many plastic bottles in Japan.

The final customs I'll mention are found in the U.S. bathroom. I stayed in two hotels. Both had tubs longer and deeper than anything I've seen in the U.S. They were designed for soaking after scrubbing and showering. One hotel in Kyoto had a small stool and a bowl to hold hot soapy water while one was washing. This custom reduced the bath tub ring. Finally there was the toilet, or lack or what they called a Western toilet. Hotels weren't a problem, but care had to be taken at public facilities. The traditional Japanese toilet required that one develop strong thigh muscles that would allow one to squat. Needless to say, I looked for Western toilets.

These are just a few of the different customs that I can remember. If you've visited Japan and can add any, I'd like to hear about them.