It’s no surprise that Japanese culture is one of the most unique and attractive cultures in the world. Here are 5 things it teaches us.
Ultimately, it is the people that make a nation, not the other way round, and the people of Japan are a living example of this. Though there are countless lessons to be taken away, here is a narrowed-down list featuring five of the most prominent and inspiring things we can learn from Japanese culture.
1. Mindfulness towards others
Japanese children are taught from a young age to always consider the well-being of those around them before themselves. In fact, many of Japan’s laws revolve around being mindful and helping others, such as not being allowed to talk loudly on the phone while on public transport or having designated queueing lines marked at train stations to prevent pushing and shoving when boarding and alighting from trains.
The Japanese attitudes toward mindfulness run deeper than simply obeying laws and trying to avoid prosecution, and involve certain codes that are not necessarily enforced by law, but simply taking on and honoring the traditions and values that have been upheld by ancestors and those before them. Such examples include removing one’s shoes when entering households, using honorifics to address people based on their relation to you (e.g. a senior classmate), and bowing as a form of greeting.
The result of being mindful and considerate of others is a highly efficient society in Japan, where everything is made to cater to the convenience and ease of a rather dense population. There’s no doubt that these customs have contributed to Japan’s very low crime rates and an overall deeper understanding of the values of courtesy and integrity.
2. Strong views on Cleanliness & Hygiene
One of the most striking things that foreigners experience upon arriving in Japan is the notable absence of litter and dirt on the streets, and the large emphasis placed on personal hygiene. Despite the scarcity of public bins, the Japanese’s strong views on mindfulness have allowed them to maintain a clean environment by carrying their rubbish with them until they arrive home or locate a rare public bin, often found near train stations.
In addition to these attitudes on rubbish maintenance, the Japanese also discourage eating and drinking while walking on the streets, as it is seen as being inconsiderate and, to an extent, unhygienic. Naturally, this perspective has led to less rubbish being carried around as a result of food packaging and drink bottles.
Furthermore, the Japanese incorporate many small but effective etiquettes which raise their standards of cleanliness and hygiene. From serving wet towels before meals at restaurants and homes to placing cash in trays at convenience store counters and the encouragement of mask-wearing when sick are all testimonies to Japan’s high importance placed on cleanliness and personal hygiene.
Last but not least are the standard automated toilets in Japan, which enable a no-touch flush as well as a no-touch hand-washing system, which help prevent the spread of germs. The toilet seat itself is equipped with high-tech washing technology which seamlessly cleans the backside with minimum touch involved, which is not only more hygienic but also environmentally friendly as this saves countless amounts of toilet paper.
3. Access to Healthy Foods
The people of Japan are quite dominantly healthy, fit, and well-weighted, with a tremendously low rate of obesity. This can be attributed to the combination of healthy food accessibility and a culture that encourages walking and cycling.
The wide availability of healthy bento (lunch box) meals at convenience stores that are well-priced and high in nutrition are prominent factors contributing to Japan’s superior life expectancies and low levels of overweight people. Additionally, vending machines and convenience stores are filled with a huge variety of sugar-less teas and coffees, which dominate the fridges, leaving little room for high-sugar options such as cola and artificial juices.
In addition to this, most Japanese people commute to school and work by walking or cycling to the nearest public transport station, with a low reliance on motor vehicles. With relatively low crime rates and clean streets packed with healthy vending machines on the way, it is not a bad choice of commuting for the people of Japan.
4. Strong Work Ethics
Japan is notorious for having a dangerously strong attitude towards their work, which even results in problems relating to overwork and stress. Despite this growing issue among the Japanese workforce, the rest of the world can still pick up some lessons from this strong attitude and sense of responsibility towards work in Japan, as its roots stem from origins of honor and discipline.
The typical worker or “salaryman” in Japan takes a lot of pride in their role in the workforce, and their determination to not be a burden on anyone due to a strong sense of mindfulness (as discussed earlier) is what drives them to persevere through many of their work-life struggles. While this attitude may be taking its toll on some of the “over-workers” of Japan, it is important to understand that the highly-advanced and efficient society of Japan that we all know and love is built on the hard work and commitment of an extremely dedicated national workforce, and that is something to be admired.
5. Spirituality and Appreciation for Life
While the Japanese are not highly-religious people, they place a lot of emphasis on spirituality, and this drives them to act more cautiously, mindfully, and caring in certain situations. For example, when a person gives another person his/her business card, it is seen as giving that person a part of their soul, which results in the receiver showing excessive gratitude by bowing, receiving with both hands, and giving numerous thanks of appreciation.
As the existence of the soul in all people and things is a widely accepted belief in Japan’s national religion, Shintoism, the nature around them is greatly appreciated and looked after, as it is believed they have divinity or “Godliness” within them, so looking after and appreciating them would mean the “Gods” would essentially look after you in return. Adapting this mindset all over the world would no doubt have extraordinary benefits for the natural environment around us as well as the mental well-being of people worldwide.
Other rituals and traditions practiced in Japan include tea ceremonies, which is a formal way of making tea (usually matcha green-tea), sitting in an upright position on knees, and drinking it together. It reflects the Japanese appreciation for life, as well as honoring the spirits of their ancestors by upholding set traditions and keeping them alive and strong.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!