What is Japanese Daily Life Like?
What is Japanese Daily Life Like?
Many foreign tourists to Japan ask me, “How do the Japanese people live?” They want to know how Japanese lifestyles differ from those of North Americans.
This is a difficult question because, in my view, Japanese urban lifestyles do not differ greatly from those of other countries. Tokyo is my hometown, but I have also lived in New York City and St. Albans, UK. I am happy to live in Tokyo because it is so convenient with an extensive train network; safe, clean, and abundant convenience stores; and delicious food. Drawing on my experience, I have reflected on how the daily lives of Japanese persons differ from those of foreigners.
City dwellers like me are attracted by fancy new shops and restaurants. However, many foreign tourists favor narrow backstreets, dirty and crowded eateries, and taverns. Foreigners seem to believe that such old neighborhoods as Asakusa are the “real Japan.” However, narrow backstreet alleys with taverns are disappearing and becoming increasingly rare as the city gentrifies.
What is Japanese Daily Life Like?
Here are some differences
1. Housing
Japanese people, especially Tokyo residents, live in houses built on crowded, narrow streets. Japanese have to make do with living spaces that are smaller than North American and Australian houses but almost the same size as European houses.
When the townscape of Tokyo is viewed from a train, houses appear very closely bunched together, and Tokyoites do not have spacious yards to enjoy gardening. Most garden spaces are occupied by cars.
Japanese dwellings are largely constructed out of wood. Our traditional tatami mats, sliding doors, and engawa (verandas) are disappearing because of a trend toward Western architecture.
City dwellers tend to keep smaller pets because their houses and gardens are small. Poodles and the Akita Inu breed (of which the most famous was the loyal Hachi in Shibuya) are trendy these days because of their size. Cats are also popular in Japan.
2. The train station is in the center of the city.
In contrast to European cities, wherein urban development is centered on churches, Japanese towns and cities have developed around train stations to which shopping centers and parking lots are attached.
Big-city dwellers commute by train, rather than by car. Therefore, businesspeople drink alcohol after work on Friday nights. Young people tend to live in condominiums near city centers for the sake of convenience.
3. City people are unneighborly.
City dwellers are independent and interact infrequently with neighbors. Young persons are especially unneighborly. However, when a new family moves in to the community, neighbors usually pay a visit bringing a box of sweets to say hello.
4. Universal rules
Since childhood, Japanese children are taught to be considerate of others, because we live in a small country and try to avoid causing trouble to others so that we can all live together comfortably and peacefully.
5. Clean and safe
Japanese children clean their classrooms after class every day. We Japanese organize ourselves and clean our houses. Many Japanese habits are derived from Shintoism, which values the removal of impurities[. Therefore, most people clean up after themselves and avoid littering out of a sense of personal responsibility and consideration for the impact of their actions on others. In fact, safety reasons may explain the lack of street litter and of rubbish bins on the streets.
6. Buddhism and Shintoism
Japanese people observe Shinto rituals alongside Buddhist practices. Temples and shrines are in every corner of every Japanese town. Basic tenets of Japanese morality are derived from Buddhism and Shintoism. People go to shrines for celebrations such as New Year’s, weddings, or childbirth, and temples are used for funerals per Japanese custom.
In general, the Japanese have a practical syncretic and polytheistic approach to religion. It is an instrument for petitioning the gods to grant such requests as success in business or on a school entrance exam or with finding a good partner.
7. We are more egalitarian than Europeans and Americans.
Unlike Europe, Japan is not a class-based society. Despite Japan’s feudal origins, hereditary titles were abolished after World War II, and class is defined by education and job status. However, as with every other country, economic disparity has widened in recent years.
