welcome to Tokyo--culture shock

I’m not a stranger to Japan—I’ve been here for holidays, a swim meet, and a training camp in different parts of the country. The disoriented, out-of-place feeling that comes with culture shock does get easier with time, but it never truly goes away.

I’ve had two weeks to explore Tokyo before classes officially start tomorrow, and there’s really no better way to get around than Tokyo’s extensive public transport system. I think I’ve sat on just about every subway line or bus route while making my way from Ginza to Shibuya to Shimokitazawa and beyond.

Each journey can be up to an hour’s ride, so you could say I’ve had enough time to reflect on my culture shock. Especially in the silence on public transport. Taking phone calls are frown upon, and phones are expected to be silenced. Even during peak hour, the carriage is silent except for the sound of the train on the tracks or the announcement of the station. It’s definitely hard to get used to. Usually, it’s nice to have a friend on the phone to keep you company on a long journey or to catch up in between a busy day.

I’ve also had two very contrasting experiences also related to my experience in public transport here. On one hand, at the bus station, people line up patiently in a single file behind the first person and it’s a very stress-free experience. On the other hand, in the subway, even if the carriage is seemingly about to burst through the seams, people will run, push and squeeze just to get on the train. It’s the scramble for the smallest spot on the train and then complete silence and trying not to breathe on someone’s face that is low-key bizarre.

Another thing the amount of foreigners I’ve expected here. Whether it’s the convenience store by my dorm or a random thrift store 45 minutes outside central Tokyo, I’ve consistently been surrounded by other non-Japanese people. Especially in Shibuya or Harajuku, I could forget that I’m in Japan. With local Japanese, I know Japan is reserved and conservative but I need to get used to the lack of small talk or even eye contact that is expected in the US. During swim practice with local swimmers especially, since it’s much more personal. Most of them avoid eye contact when they realize I’m not fluent in Japanese. It’s not to ignore, but it feels more like shyness or the fear of not being able to communicate properly. I’ve learned to use my body language and little key phrases, being happy with small interactions.

Here’s 10 other notable culture shocks I’ve experienced:

1. No talking in neighborhoods

2. No eating and walking

3. No public trash bins

4. 5 different categories of trash to be sorted each time

5. Eat only inside or just outside the store you bought food from

6. No throwing trash in a store from a different store

7. Face coverings while trying on clothes

8. No shoes in the changing room

9. Layering more when it gets warm

10. Taking off my earrings in a public pool

matcha ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅

12-story UNIQLO in Ginza

12-page pamphlet on how to sort trash