This is a continuation of yesterday’s post, which was so massive we decided to break it up into two parts.

26.  Paying for company is a pretty common thing.

There must be a serious level of loneliness in Japan. In a cat café you can pay to hang out with dozens of cats, while you sip coffee. In maid cafes, a young woman dressed in a maid outfit dotes on you for the paid time. In a hostess bar, a more sophisticated woman hangs out and talks with you, while you pay for her drinks and time. They even have a boyfriend service, so ladies don’t feel left out of the action.

27. Jazz is the go-to music for every department store and bar.

Pretty much every restaurant, department store, or elevator will be playing jazz music. Not the smooth type either – the good stuff.

28. Pets are allowed on temple grounds – if you carry them.

I guess the bigger dogs get left at home.

29. Space efficiency is remarkable.

Many restaurants have baskets for your clothes or belongings that go under your chair. Toilets with a sink combo are pretty common. After flushing the toilet water pours out of the sink and refills the toilet bowl.

30. Food packaging is meticulously handled.

Grape tomatoes and strawberries are packaged in rows, with an OCD level of insanity.

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Japan is a wonderful, advanced, backwards, strange, clean country with a history as rich as a ramen broth. It’s a country built on respect for each other, yet their history shows very little respect for other Asian countries. It’s a country full of contrasts – Buddhism, Shintoism, and Christianity all live together a strangely harmonious blend.

After spending 43 days in strange ol’ Japan, I’m still scratching my head. And while we only scratched the surface of this crazy country, Japan is a place I plan on coming back to over and over to dig a little deeper.

1. Toilets and sinks are super advanced.

Actually, pretty much anything to do with cleaning is. Toilets come with heated seats, sprays, sounds – pretty much everything you could ever want and more. The sink in the above picture comes equipped with soap and a dryer!

2. Water is so pure, you don’t need soap.

When entering temples or shrines there’s usually a fountain for people to clean their hands and drink water. Most public bathrooms (and even restaurants) have all the latest in washing technology – but no soap! We couldn’t get anyone to explain it, but it seemed as if the Japanese view water differently than the west… or basically everywhere else.

3. Shrines are everywhere – even in Buddhist temples!

Shinto shrines are located everywhere, with small statues and offerings. Even inside Buddhist temple complexes!  Strangely Shintoism, an ancient Japanese belief that everything has a spirit, co-exists with Buddhism and Christianity. Apparently it’s not uncommon for the Japanese to borrow from all 3 belief systems: a Christian wedding, a Buddhist burial, and Shintoism for everything in between.

4. …which might explain why mascots are everywhere.

Everything has a mascot. Everything. Public transportation. TV Stations. Even prefects. I imagine this has something to do with Japan’s Shinto belief system, but who knows?

5. They have charms for pretty much everything.

Pretty much any temple you enter is hocking charms for anything. Love. Happiness. Prosperity. Good grades. Safe driving. Who knew such good fortune was available for the low, low price of 300 yen?

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