by lastminutetravel | June 1st, 2010
For most Americans the idea of visiting Japan can be intimidating. They immediately focus on the fact that the Japanese speaking a drastically different language. In addition with the scene on television is a place that is terrifically overcrowded. The reason that they see this on TV is because it is an anomaly in Japan itself usually only experienced during the holidays when nearly everyone has the same time off. We experienced much the same thing during the Christmas holidays.
The Japanese are much more polite in their social relationship with one another. Politeness is a strong social norm and keeps a highly populated island calm and running smoothly. When two people meet they bow politely, with the elder acquaintance given the greater respect. In fact, respect for the elderly is so formalized that their seating is reserved even on crowded trains.
In the US, bread is a common daily addition to meals. With our hamburgers, sandwiches and loads of bread with the main course, bread is ubiquitous. In Japan nearly every traditional meal includes rice. Because of that the most common products in a Japanese kitchen are rice cookers. These devices come in a wide variety of sizes from 1 to 2 cups all the way to 15 cups for home use. Industrial sizes for restaurants can cook upwards of 40 cups of rice at a time.
These devices vary in sophistication, much like bread makers do here in the US. But for straight functionality at a value price, a Zojirushi rice cooker has taken the lions share of the market. They are available here and many Americans are finding that cooked this way, especially if your model allows for delayed time cooking, makes rice an easy alternative to bread, though on an occasional basis. College students also find them good products because the rice can be stored conveniently for a long time, cooked when needed.
If you visit Japanese home, make sure you are wearing good socks without holes. That is because you will be required to remove your shoes before entering the home. The Japanese feel very strongly that one should not track dirt from outside into the house. Most foreigners interested in your brief time with this cultural difference adopted it for their own home.
Partly because the homes in Japan at the time event, which are particularly difficult to clean thoroughly, should mud get tracked in or liquid be spilled on them. In general, handheld vacuums are the preferred device to clean the floors. If a tatami mat becomes stained. It will have to be removed and replaced a task that is much simpler than removing and replacing wood flooring or carpeting.
The Japanese people are warm and receptive, and even the slightest attempt to speak Japanese is rewarded with smiles and encouragement. It pace of life in Japan can be hectic just as in the United States. But when they relax their attachment to enjoy in celebrating nature and history make it a fascinating place to visit.
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