10 peculiarities of life in Japan that annoy tourists and locals alike

Sunny Japan puzzles European tourists with its eccentricity. After all, specific food, strange clothes, and odd traditions are radically different.

OBOZREVATEL has collected 10 everyday features of life in Japan. Some habits annoy even the locals.

It is forbidden to walk or talk loudly in an apartment building

Neighbors report to the police if there are loud noises in the apartment. In Japan, small houses are built without soundproofing, so you need to keep the house quiet. People can complain even if you just close the closet or take out the dishes.

Loud advertising on the streets interferes with sleep

Advertising using loudspeakers on cars runs around the clock. People drive around residential areas and advertise what they want. The Japanese do not like such loud advertising, but the police ignore citizens' complaints.

Many apartments have no heating

There is no central heating in Japan because houses are often destroyed during earthquakes. Only wealthy residents install heating boilers. The Japanese use heaters, warm blankets, and heated bedding.

Lovers meet only a few times a month

In Japan, it is considered okay for lovers to meet 1-2 times a month. It is not customary in the country to court women, give them flowers, or pay in a restaurant. Also, couples do not show their feelings in public and do not give each other compliments.

Many young people are reclusive and live alone

Hikikomori are people who have isolated themselves from society by choice. They live with their families in a separate room, and have food and all the necessary things delivered to them. Some do not see people at all for years.

Local stores have very intrusive consultants

Tourists complain that Japanese clothing stores have annoying sales assistants. They follow a potential buyer and try to sell the item. If a person buys something, the employee will thank them several times and walk the customer to the exit.

You have to buy souvenirs in every city

The Japanese will be surprised if a tourist refuses to buy souvenirs. In Japan, there is a tradition that you need to bring something back from every trip. Omiyage is a small soft handmade toy. It is most often bought as a gift for relatives.

Bookstores sell strange children's literature

The Japanese do not consider the toilet topic to be embarrassing even at the table. Children need to know how to go to the toilet properly, so authors love to cover this in books with illustrations.

Influencers promote artificial beauty standards

Most Japanese people love natural beauty, rarely wearing bright makeup or revealing clothes. However, there are women who try to turn themselves into dolls. This subculture is called gyaru. The reshaped faces and unnatural appearance annoy ordinary women.

Locals purposely try to befriend foreigners

In Japan, it is fashionable to have a foreign friend because it is interesting to learn stories from different countries and to improve your English.