Soumya was captivated by Japan’s cleanliness, orderliness, and quiet respect, a world away from the bustling chaos of major cities, exclusively for Different Truths.
During my brief visit to Japan recently, what struck me the most, was the incredible cleanliness, orderliness, discipline, politeness, honesty, and silence everywhere.
Busy streets in areas like Gariahat or Karol Bagh or Churchgate, where the roads are sparkling clean, there’s no jostling and complete silence. Bullet train with commuters, 60 second stops and no pushing, everyone traveling in total silence.
As tourists aren’t trusted to behave well, they’re restricted to the last two compartments, but we skipped our booked seats and travelled in the unreserved compartments to get the feel.
Even in the world’s busiest crossing with the statue of the dog, Huthinko, with the heart-rending story, with millions of tourists taking pictures, there was no litter, despite there being no dustbins, ever since a serial bombing involving dustbins. Everyone not only carried their litter home but picked up after the more careless tourists.
Leave alone our cities, the great metropolitan centres… are untidy bedlams in sharp contrast.
Leave alone our cities, the great metropolitan centres of Manhattan, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul are untidy bedlams in sharp contrast.
People feel upset if you count the change and are insulted if you offer tips. After the tip culture of Europe and USA and baksheesh culture back home, this was a culture shock.
We’re warned of pickpockets in Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, New York, London, Johannesburg and everywhere else, and seen plenty of examples of this, but here, they assured us that even if we leave our wallet in a park, we’ll get it back untouched. I did leave cash in my hotel drawer, and it was there as assured.
The petrol station attendants bow to the driver after filling the tank, and the bus driver polishes the hubcaps during stops.
Strangers are unbelievably helpful…
Strangers are unbelievably helpful; a shop assistant left his shop to take a lost tourist to the police kiosk as he didn’t speak English.
I kept wondering, are we the same species?
But the most remarkable thing about Japan is it’s public bathrooms. Absolutely free, its sparkling clean and dry, and no touch required. The seats open on approach, shut and self-flush when you’re done. Seats are heated, and there’s a direction pressure temperature-controlled bidet built in with a console to control it by the seat, with graphic instructions. It’s worth going to Japan just to poop. There’s even warm air to dry you, deodorisers, and noise masking facilities to avoid embarrassing situations.
After paying three euros for loos everywhere in Europe and hoping that they’re clean, and back home using them with cotton wool stuck in the nose, eyes averted and praying we don’t catch unmentionable diseases, this was toilet heaven, and a typical example of the kind of people they are.
Of course, I know that they are ultra conservative, hierarchical, patriarchal, suspicious of foreigners, justifiable I feel … and almost robotic, but it is such a wonderful contrast to the chaotic, hostile, unhygienic, noisy world outside those islands.
They do let off steam after work, in the pubs, hanging up their coats and briefcases…
They do let off steam after work, in the pubs, hanging up their coats and briefcases, they get roaring drunk and shout and laugh, but keep to themselves. No jolly camaraderie of the watering holes in the rest of the world. Even in hotel lifts, people don’t meet your eye or wish you Kone Wachi, but bow deeply if you do and respond.
I won’t speak about the usual touristy stuff about Japan that you must anyway be familiar with, but touched upon the unusual things that struck me.
I will write separately about Sakura and the bomb, the octopus in the salad and the zen of art but let me share an unknown titbit that I came across… believe it or not.
Our own Namo is a fashion icon in Nippon ever since the international summit, with his colour combos. Earlier men’s wear came in three colours, black, white, and grey, but now four more are added. A lady guide admitted that women didn’t watch the news earlier, but now follow him to see what he’s wearing.
Moreover, Indian tourists have flooded Japan, leading to warnings in loos to not stand on the seats… in one place, even in Hindi.
Indian restaurants are ubiquitous and must be avoided. Ditto Indian tourists who sing antakshari and bargain and complain loudly, frightening the locals.
The tourists apart, Japan is a wonderful experience.
Photos by the author
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