Meet Shiver, a little black crow with bright curious eyes and a brave heart. He spends his days flying above cities and rivers, always searching for shiny treasures. But lately, Shiver has been dreaming of going somewhere far away. Somewhere calm, beautiful, and filled with wonders… like Japan.
He imagines soaring over Japan’s green mountains and bright city lights. Hearing the gentle hum of train stations, the quiet sounds of chopsticks in small diners and the rustling of trees near old shrines… If he could go, these are the 10 things he’d want to remember.
1. With appointments, BE ON TIME. Japanese people are strict with time, so do not keep the other person waiting. If the bus or train is late for five minutes, there will be a huge fuss.
Shiver thought, “Five minutes late? I’d better flap my wings faster next time.”
2. With Japanese dining etiquette, there are many dining manners, but saying “itadakimasu” (before eating) and “gochisosamadeshita” (after eating) are the most typical. This is to show appreciation to the food we have on our plate.
Shiver chirped, “I always caw before pecking my crumbs too. Same thing, right?”
3. Cars drive on the left side of the road instead of on the right, so foreigners should be careful as this might catch them off-guard.
Shiver tilted his head, “Left side, right side… good thing I just fly over it all.”
4. Most things are sold in different units than in America, so it’s a good idea to get an app so you can calculate things quickly before you come. In America, vegetables and fruits are often sold by weight, right? In Japan, most things are priced by the piece.
Shiver blinked, “I hope worms are sold by the piece too… I’d pick the fattest one.”
5. There is no service such as buy two and get one free.
Shiver ruffled his feathers, “No free worms? That’s disappointing.”
6. Think of a large drink at McDonald’s or Starbucks in Japan as a small or medium drink in America.
Shiver nodded, “That’s okay. I’d probably just spill it anyway.”
7. Tipping is rarely done in Japan. You don’t have to pay a tip when you eat out. However, if you go to a ryokan (Japanese inn), you might have to pay a small tip.
Shiver cawed softly, “No tipping? Great. I don’t even have pockets.”
8. There is no yard sale or garage sale in Japan. There is no sale of lemonade.In Japan, there is a strict view on privately selling things. Although there are websites for private sales, they are strictly controlled. Flea markets organized by towns and cities are also strictly monitored.
Shiver sighed, “So no shiny spoon sales on the sidewalk… darn.”
9. The act of bowing down. For temples and shrines? That’s a big part of Japan, but not just for temples and shrines. Japanese people bow when expressing gratitude, apologizing, or greeting others. The depth of the bow also has meaning. When apologizing, bow deeply.
Shiver tried bowing, “I hope my little crow bow is respectful enough.”
10. Dogeza (土下座) is considered the highest and most extreme form of bowing in Japanese culture, used to show deep apology, utter remorse, or desperate pleading. This is Japanese etiquette which involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself while touching one’s head to the floor
Shiver puffed up, “I’d probably just flop over trying that one.”
Media
– gif-animation-cherry-blossom-branch-flowers.gif (500×250)
– Japan, Cherry Blossom, Sakura. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Anime, Colorful, Seamless. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Clothing, Boutique, Shopping. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Lunch, Meal, People. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Temple, Pond, Garden. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Market, Fair, Sale. Free Stock Video – Pixabay
– Samurai ☯ Japanese Lofi HipHop Mix
– (22) Japanese monk at Nikko Temple sounding a bell – YouTube
