How different is Japan from North America?

Question

Well, I'm planning to move from Las Vegas to Japan after collage, and i don't want to be some stupid tourist that thinks that they can live somewhere just for the heck of it (I'm moving for real reasons that are confedential). I know that i have to learn Japanese and some customs. Anything else i might want to know?

Answer 1

Lots of things you might want to know
1. japanese isn't required. YOu can get by very easily in english. You just have to make sure you try to listen, and then try to speak japanese. Once you try, people are very friendly and helpful. If you don't try they will appear rude
2. Tokyo and all other major cities are extremely expensive. But if you shop around you can find lots of places that are pretty cheap. Buy your own food and cook for yourself, as it will save you tons of money. (eating out is about 5x as expensive as cooking it for yourself)
3. you will need to buy a rice cooker. they are pretty cheap, and very easy to work even w/out japanese.
4. stock up on your dvd's. buying newer dvd's here is like 25 to 30 dollars.
5. customes you need to remember. always take your shoes off when you go inside someones home. they will usually have guest slippers (but if y ou have large feet, then bring your own slippers.)
6. when people compliment you, the response is zen zen (it means not at all.) you are not supposed to accept a compliment.
7. when on the subway/bus, you are expected to give up your seat for old people, pregnant women, women with young children, or people with disabilities.
8. look into buyiig a japanese railroad tourist ticket. This is a ticket that is good for a month, and you can ride it anywhere in japan. It is like $70 to $150. but you cannot buy it when you are living here. It has to be on your US Passport as a tourist. they don't sell them here. so if you get one of those tickets, you can then travel all over japan in the first month you are here, other wise travelling around japan is really expensive.
9. Get to know japanese anime. Things like totoro, kiki's delivery service, ranma 1/2, and hello kitty. if you knwo these characters and anime, then you have built in conversation with most japanese.
10. when you get here ( I live in tokyo), immediately examine your apartment, and notice things like weather stripping, caulking and find a local store that carries it. they do not weather strip here, and most japanese homes are COLD in the winter.
11. look on www.craigslist.com under tokyo and metropolis.co.jp to find used furnature, books, bikes,etc.... never pay for new stuff here because it is soooooo expensive.

Answer 2

If you really want to understand the Japanese mindset, you should look into these:
1. History (this one is obvious for any nation you want to learn about) Along with Japanese history, it is also helpful to study a bit of early Chinese history.
2. Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shintoism - Although nobody associates Daoism and Confucianism with Japan, because of Japan's close historical connections to China, they have affected the Japanese a lot!
3. Japanese Folktales - it may seem silly, but folktales reveal a lot about a culture, and many modern films, books, etc. referrence these tales. If you don't know them, you will miss the point of many things.
4. Tale of Genji (and other classics) - This novel and other classics are also referenced in modern, as well as old texts. Even some of the folktales reference this book.


I think those are the best ways to learn and understand the Japanese beyond language, and the customs will make more sense if you are knowledgable in these four areas.

Answer 3

Where in Japan are you going? The difference between Tokyo and some small rural town in Shikoku (for example) is probably larger than the difference between Tokyo and NYC.

Answer 4

The difference is like smart and civil, compared to crude and bombastic. Learning the language will help but I would advise you to contact a Japanese cultural association and talk to the people there about your plans and they will help you with what you should know.

Answer 5

They eat raw foods- a lot
You cannot be late that's considered as impolite
You gotta commute early cause of the traffic. People commute 2- 3 hrs early before their work hrs.

Answer 6

It's a kind of hard to explain, because what you see on the surface is just truly a top of an iceberg.

Answer 7

Well, I think you're on the right track, especially since you are learning the language and studying the culture. And your real reason for moving there that is so confidential, what's her name?

Answer 8

They are way different
1:Speak Japanese
2:Eat raw foods
3:Eat bugs sometimes too! x_x
4:Different lifestyles(religion and all)
5:Different clothes/ the way they dress
5:More with the (family_orientated)
6:Way more friendlier than Americans
6:Various styles of Japanese architecture(are in to architecture)
7: They have Distinctive styles of pottery reflecting different periods and regions.
8:Here are some words for your help(if you need it)
Oahu gammas-Good morning
Kon'nichiwa-Good afternoon
Kon'banwa-Good evening
Oyasumi nasai-Good night
Sayounara -Good-bye
Sumimasen-Excuse me
Gomen nasai-I am sorry
Wakarimasen-I don't understand
Arigatou-Thank you
Hai-Yes
Iie-No
8:Japan's population is over 126 million
9:Here is a website that just might help you or not?
http://www.fpcj.jp/e/mres/publication/ff/index.html

Answer 9

they drive on the left.