Things I Love About Japan

Cheap and good quality skincare.


Gender fluidity in style and fashion.


Sinks to wash your hands can be found in food courts and outside of restrooms in certain restaurants.


Everyone is polite.


You are very safe, everywhere you go.


No one will steal your things. Even if you leave it somewhere and leave the area.


Great train systems and public transportation systems!


Cheap shoes!


High quality skincare products and makeup is pretty cheap. And there are so many options!

Skiing!!! (and snowboarding) These sports are huge in Japan.


Seasonal foods and fashions get you in the mood for the seasonal celebrations.


Alcohol isn't considered taboo at all. You can drink while riding public trains. I have even seen some alcohol that a teacher made to share with the other staff people at school.


They are perfectionist when it comes to business, from food to service to giving change when paying at a convenience store.


Convenience stores are everywhere! And they have so many things that you might need! So much more convenient than in America.


You can pay your bills at any convenience store or post office / bank.


Uniqlo, H&M, and GU are very trendy clothing shops that have affordable clothes. The only thing is that the quality might be pretty low (even if it looks great) and they might only last 1 year.


Refills!!! Shampoo, Bodywash, Laundry detergent, Face wash! America really needs to start doing this! It's way cheaper and eco-friendly.

Things That I Hate About Japan

Gender specific marketing for everything!
TV shows, skincare products, toys


Presentation is more important than quality
clothes, food, skincare, fruit


Fruits are ridiculously expensive because high quality is very important and they will only sell the best in regular supermarkets.


If you are a foreigner, it doesn't matter if you speak perfect Japanese, some people just have it set in their minds that they can't understand what you are saying because of your race.


Don't look at anyone in the eyes while in public.


Sugar coating and beating around the bush equals being polite.


Some people are extremely and unashamedly racist toward anyone who is not Japanese.


If you want to be pretty you must look like a 13 year old girl.
13 year old girls are considered sex icons for men of all ages.


The Japanese face is the most beautiful and if you are not Japanese, you will never be considered as comparably beautiful. Koreans are an exception to this rule.


So much bread and fried foods. (Yet they never get fat!)


Getting contacts or glasses is so confusing. The most frustrating thing is you must buy your glasses or contacts from the same place you get your prescription. If you don't, they won't give you service. I actually had to lie to to a clinic and tell them that I would buy contacts from their store, but then ran out after quickly paying for my doctor visit and getting my prescription numbers (I couldn't even get the prescription paper. I could only get the number and escape.).


Physical affection is very uncomfortable and rarely done.


Being close to someone else is impolite and a violation of personal space, unless you're on the train and you're literally crammed butt to face with a crap load of people. Only then is it totally appropriate. Just don't look at anyone in the face.


restaurant napkins are like plastic sheets! Imagine using Saran Wrap as a napkin!


Gender stereotypes are extreme. Girls will not play soccer or baseball even if they enjoy it, just because it's not a "girl" thing to do.


Clothes from Uniqulo or GU or H&M are very trendy but never last more than a year. I guess if we pay a cheap price, we shouldn't expect very much.