Things that surprised/amazed me about Japan, an ongoing thread. (More likely UI than food, but you know this already.) It’s my first time here. Please comment away and/or point out my cultural insensitivities!
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10. I think I am supposed to walk on the left side of the sidewalk, and I *think* someone sneered at me loudly when I originally failed to do so. (But also, I am really tired and stressed out after a turbulence-happy flight, so perhaps I’m projecting.)
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11. The fare gate closed on me in a rather gentle way when I tried to walk past it without inserting the ticket. (Contrast: San Francisco BART gate that slammed itself into my thigh and gave me a bruise *after* I paid my fare.)
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12. Most time spent checking in was getting a debrief on a naked public bath in my hotel on the 10th floor. Should I do this. Y/N
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13. This UI might not be specific to Japan, but that’s not going to stop me from FALLING IN LOVE.pic.twitter.com/rL2H12hn5l
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14. So yes, I intend to press “oscillate” at some point. But FROM A DISTANCE.pic.twitter.com/TbhJR5wkGn
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15. Okay, the magnetic Do Not Disturb/Clean Up sign is pretty genius, particularly compared to the usual paper one that always falls to the ground.pic.twitter.com/d38kF8ONlp
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16. Police/ambulance sirens are quieter and more gentle here – closer to elevator arrival signals than to alarm clocks.
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17. Interesting system: you pay for a ticket to a restaurant in front of it, and then enter and give it to a server. No tips, and after finishing you just get up and leave?pic.twitter.com/DVkYPhPl1S
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18. Also, they offered me a paper apron. Perhaps they were making fun of the only gringo on the premises, but damn if it wasn’t convenient!
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19. I am not sure what this is all about yet; something tells me earthquake preparedness? Also, is it stretched type all around? 0_Opic.twitter.com/iccHF4MWEU
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20. Super interesting hotel flashlight. There is no on/off switch. The thing that mounts it on the wall also separates the two batteries and cuts off the power. What do I need this for, though?pic.twitter.com/K9JfzGzDiR
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21. This vending machine had a flap covering the banknote port. I don’t understand why.pic.twitter.com/J89hE6LQ2k
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22. All the vending machines I used so far (three) used lights to show me what I could afford after putting in money.pic.twitter.com/h88FLevp8f
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23. All of the yen coins have arabic numerals… except one of them (5). In general, only 50/100 look like they’ve been designed together.pic.twitter.com/ctioQ41m8O
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24. Upon entering my hotel room, this light blinks slowly to show me where to put my card and get the lights/AC going.pic.twitter.com/nqAux7up74
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25. I’ve been informed by
@txsector that a one-yen coin will float on the surface of the water, and I can confirm this. (As you can see, it took me a while.)pic.twitter.com/GW7Z36CYte
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26. One can pick up so much about Japan just by reading up on the 5 yen coin, which has to do with: · good relationship luck · nuclear accident investigation · language reform · emperorship of Japan · WWII (the visuals were about Japan’s reconstruction) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_yen_coin
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27. A clock just hanging outside in a seemingly random alley.pic.twitter.com/4E4HLYYr2P
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28. Does anyone know why does this subway entrance tell me this?pic.twitter.com/ix5BbCo3UW
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29. This construction site will tell you how loud it is. (Related read about noise in Japan: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/10/10/lifestyle/making-noise-keeping-decibels/ …)pic.twitter.com/RxlW9vKU2s
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31. I accidentally got in line with little kids walking to school in the morning. There was a little roped off sidewalk lane that led to school and only school. It was cute! It wasn’t creepy. (God, let’s hope.) Does this road signage say “watch for children 7:30-8:30”?pic.twitter.com/mK6sl00Jnj
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(Google Translate and its “point your camera at something and I’ll make it English” feature have been really ineffective. I need to find a better alternative.)
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32. Instead of two central buttons, this elevator bank has a synchronized three pairs, one next to each car. (Plus, on the left, another lower set for people in wheelchairs.)pic.twitter.com/ivxuLrFdaa
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33. I... think my Starbucks barista just sent me a death threat.pic.twitter.com/Cz9DdyuTpu
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34. Very specific guides on how to line up to the next train.pic.twitter.com/z2kXR6eycE
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35. Some pedestrian walk signals have bona fide countdown progress bars!pic.twitter.com/VbjZiy5Fdb
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36. I like this type-heavy visualization of what’s on this and adjacent half-floors.pic.twitter.com/H5djk6qMtN
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37. I want to know slash I am afraid to ask slash I have a suspicion about the reason women’s-only train cars exist.pic.twitter.com/rUvr6LLuCJ
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