Interesting Facts

Clothing

Japanese tend to be much more formal in clothing than Americans. On this trip, men wear a coat and tie and women wear dresses or suits. It is recommended that I bring dress shoes that slip on and off easily because I must change into slippers when entering many places I visit. Even though some locations (such as schools) provide guest slippers, I have been told that I should bring my own slippers because the guest slippers are too small in size for Americans.

While I am required to be dressed up for the official occasions, I will get chances to wear informal, comfortable clothing. However, shorts, halter-tops (for women - not me!), or cut off jeans are generally considered sloppy and indecent, as are sleeveless shirts in some areas.

Since I'm limited to the amount of clothing I can bring, I'll need to wash some of my clothes in Japan. Here is where it gets really interesting! One suggestion is to bring a few feet of string and some small clothespins to hang wet laundry in the bathroom. In some hotels, bathrooms are equipped with a line above the tub.

Paper towels

Many public places in Japan do not provide paper towels in restrooms so I will need to bring an absorbent handkerchief and small packets of tissue paper with me...Sounds like this will be a blast!

Weather

Temperatures vary depending on where you are in Japan. Despite the small size of the country, winds from Siberia hit the northern part of Japan, so the north is cool even in the summer, while the southern tip of the archipelago is semi-tropical and quite humid year-round.

October is typically a dry month throughout Japan although some typhoons may appear in early October. Fall is considered the best season to visit Japan because of mild temperatures, less humidity, and beautiful foliage.

During the Host City visits, many participants find that school buildings are not kept as warm as they are in the U.S. (I bet my room is colder though!).

Smoking

In Japan, you may encounter situations where there are many people smoking in public places, offices, restaurants, or even in schools. The same awareness of health risks that exist in the U.S. is not as prevalent in Japan. Although awareness is increasing in some Japanese communities, generally the same anti-smoking laws have yet to be passed.

Water

Tap water is safe to drink in Japan, although the taste in some areas may be different from what you are used to drinking. In urban areas, the water may contain a high concentration of chlorine. Japanese in these areas often filter their water before drinking. Rural areas may have less chlorine. The water in Japan does not contain fluoride. Mineral water including major imported brands can be easily obtained from supermarkets and convenience stores.

Business Cards

It is recommended that I bring 50-100 business cards (with one side in English and the other in Japanese, if possible). Wherever I go in Japan, I will exchange "meishi" (business cards). People treat them as extensions of the person. So, when I give my meishi to someone, I do not hand it casually or toss it to him/her. Rather, when I receive a card, I need to accept it with both hands, then read it and carefully put it in my pocket or card case. Never write on it in front of the person since this defaces it and is considered rude.

Past participants advise that I bring some candy from home because I may become homesick for chocolates and other sweets after a while. Traditionally, dessert is not a part of Japanese meals. If anything is served after a meal, it tends to be some tea and fruits. There are many families who do not serve anything but tea at the end of a meal.

Still, I can get candy and other snack items at local shops and konbini (convenience stores). Past participants have found that konbini really are convenient. They are the equivalent to American convenience stores, perhaps taken to another level. They sell all sorts of food and drinks as well as many miscellaneous items I might need. I can also make copies, and send faxes from konbini. Major chains of konbini are Lawson, Seven-Eleven, Mini-Stop, Family Mart, AM/PM, and Sunkus.

Telephones

Even with the proliferation of mobile phones in Japan, I can find public phones in many major sites, including hotels, airports and train stations. There are IC card public telephones (orange) digital public telephones (grey) and analog public telephones (green).

IC Card Public Telephones	Digital Public Telephones	Analog Public Telephones
The public phones in Japan have a slot to insert "telephone cards": IC cards for IC card public telephones and magnetic cards for digital and analog public telephones . Both cards can be purchased for 1,000 Yen, 3,000 Yen or 5,000 Yen at vending machines near the phones or at train station kiosks and convenience stores. Such prepaid cards are very convenient, since you do not need to keep pouring change into the telephone, particularly when you are calling your family in the U.S. or using the Internet.

A local call (within Tokyo’s central 23 Wards and some other metropolitan cities) costs 10 Yen per minute. International call charges will depend on the duration of the call, as well as the time the call is made. Typically, charges are lower when the call is made late at night in Japan time or on weekends and holidays.

The Japanese mobile telephone system is not compatible with those of other countries. My cell phone will not function in Japan unless I have some special kinds of phone (satellite phone).

Greeting Protocol

Japanese are traditionally much more formal in visits and meetings as compared to Americans. This is part of a long tradition of Japanese etiquette. When my group visits schools or organizations, we will be met by a representative of the institution at the gate or front door. This person is usually the tantosha - the one who was put in charge of arranging your visit. After initial greetings, we will be led to the front entry-way (genkan) of the building, where we will be asked to take off our shoes and put on slippers. After this we will be escorted to a receiving room, where we will be seated on one side, while the hosts are seated on the other. This is a typical Japanese arrangement.