[Why I Love Japan - ] 15. New Year Greetings the Japanese way...!

We usually start greeting "Happy New Year" even before the Jan 1.  However Japanese does not greet that way.

Until Dec-31 23:59 they greet 今年はありがとうございました。 良いお年を。。。来年も宜しくお願いします。read as kotoshi arigatou gozaimashita. yoi otoshi wo. rai nen mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.  Literally meaning "Thank you for (all help you have done) this year.  Next year be good.  Thanks in advance for (all help you will do) next year".

When the New Year starts i.e. Jan-1 00:00, they start greeting　(新年)明けましておめでとう御座います。今年も宜しくお願いします。read as (shin nen) akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.  Literally meaning "New Year wishes, Thanks in advance for (all help you will do) this year".  

Japanese too follow Chinese Years to represent the years.  2014 is the year of Horse.

The above is to Greet "Happy New Year" and to represent the Year of Horse.  The kanji for Horse is 馬 read as uma.  Its an artistic way of drawing horse itself on the kanji.  Originally the Kanji might have developed from this kind of representation.

Japanese send greeting cards to their friends and relatives all over Japan and around the world.  Japan Post sells printable greeting post cards (inclusive of postage stamp value) and pre-printed greeting post cards.  Usually it comes with a number and on the New Year those will get into a lucky dip and lucky person will get good gifts on the New Year.

The post cards must be posted after Dec 1 and Before Dec 15 to make sure the delivery happens on Jan 1.  The delivery is Guaranteed on Jan 1, around 2-3am.

On top of sending greeting cards, Japanese send gifts such as Meat, Fish, Sushi, Fruits, Sweets and other items as gift. There are services that take orders in advance and delivers with personal touch on Jan 1 to the recipient.  The package and quality of service and the gift will be really ultimate, that you can never feel unhappy about it.

Like we decorate our house with mango leaves and tender coconut leaves, Japanese decorate with Bamboo and Pine and flowers, called as 門松 read as kado matsu, literally means Pine (decoration) at doors.  There are several kinds of kado matsu, ranging from as simple as possible to as grand as possible.  One can buy and decorate their house depending on the money they have and willing to spend on decoration.

On New Year's day generally Japanese will visit 神社 read as jinja means shrine, from mid night and there will be special pooja on the shrines all through the day. (Note: in jinja the pooja is done in sanskrit).

Like we do pooja for vehicles, Japanese do pooja especially on New Year day.  There are special shrines that offer these automotive pooja and they will give お守り read as omamori, lucky charm that can be hanged on the dash board.  Its believed that lucky charm will protect you from accidents/mishaps.

[Why I love Japan] 13. Volunteer Insurance

In Japan even to do volunteer work that involves physical work  one MUST subscribe for a volunteer insurance and without which they are NOT allowed to do volunteer work.  This is enforced strictly. Do we have such enforcement in India at least for those who work in Fire Crackers industries?  Shame on government, both State and Central.

[Why I love Japan] 12. Telecommunication - I admire our folks...

In Japan the life is very very very monotonous such that we have a stereotypical life style day after day everyday all though the year.  It is getting bored to live in Japan.  

There is absolutely no everyday problems on the basic necessities such as Water, Electricity, Milk, Fruits, Meat, Fish and Vegetables, Tele-communications, Roads, Transport etc.

With out these problems we don't know how to spend our spare time and we are absolutely are forced to have a hobby of going out on week ends to enjoy the nature, photography, hiking/trekking, visiting friends.


Telephone connection, every house will have a telephone connection up to their wall (MDF, Main Distribution Frame).  Getting a telephone connection  from the telephones(NTT) is absolutely hassle free and the house owner does not need to make any steps to get the connection.  The builder is delegated/obligated to get water connection establish an account with the telephones.  If you are planning to rent the house, the tenant shall get the connection activated (in their name) by just filling a one page (A6 size) application and connection will be given in absolutely in matter of minutes.  It is absolutely no physical wiring change required even if you change the service provider.  Once you get the connection, it is absolutely guaranteed it will not have any problem for years together.  It wont cut during rainy days, it wont shut down for no reason.

By all the above one will miss the fun (if it were in India) of visiting telephones several times to get the connection and bribing them to give the connection much earlier, following up several times until you get the connection.  Even after getting the connection there may be several issues that occurs during everyday life, such as loose connection, dead connection, network slow, phone working but not net and vice versa?  

Its fun to handle all these problems especially in everyday life.

Disclaimer: If you think handling problem in everyday life is painful, I would say its always the fact that the other side of the bank is always green...

[Why I love Japan] 11. Milk, Fruits, Meat, Fish and Vegetables - I admire our folks...

In Japan the life is very very very monotonous such that we have a stereotypical life style day after day everyday all though the year.  It is getting bored to live in Japan.  

There is absolutely no everyday problems on the basic necessities such as Water, Electricity, Milk, Fruits, Meat, Fish and Vegetables, Tele-communications, Roads, Transport etc.

With out these problems we don't know how to spend our spare time and we are absolutely are forced to have a hobby of going out on week ends to enjoy the nature, photography, hiking/trekking, visiting friends.


Milk, Fruits, Meat and Vegetables are almost available 24x7 in almost all super markets.  Neatly cleaned and wrapped and fresh.  No need to pick the vegetables and check for their quality.  Cauliflowers are absolutely free from insects/worms.  So as egg-plants.  No Okra (ladies finger) will be over matured.  All vegetables are guaranteed free from toxic contamination.  Fruits are guaranteed as well from the toxic contamination.  One can even cook the spinach by just taking out from the wrapper and cut the root part.  Its absolutely washed and does not have any traces mud.

Meat, Fish are also absolutely refrigerated and absolutely free from flies on them.  No smell in the shop.  Same shop will have meat, fish and fruits and vegetable sections.  Even absolute vegetarian who does not like the smell of fish/meat will never be able to get he smell of meat/fish.

By all the above one will miss the fun (if it were in India) of going to shop at designated time to get the fresh vegetables, else one will be left with low quality of fruits and vegetables.  Competing with other fellows in choosing the good quality vegetable by checking each one of them such as breaking the okra (ladies finger) tip to check they are tender enough.  Check egg-plant throughly such that you don't find any black spots which denotes there is a worm inside.  Check the peas (pealed) that is not colored green.

After undergoing all these challenges, we come home and give them a through shower to store in the refrigerators.  Especially the greens (such as spinach) we have to be extra careful to clean them to make sure there is no traces of mud in it.

Its fun to handle all these problems especially in everyday life.

Disclaimer: If you think handling problem in everyday life is painful, I would say its always the fact that the other side of the bank is always green...

[Why I love Japan] 10. Electricity - I admire our folks...

In Japan the life is very very very monotonous such that we have a stereotypical life style day after day everyday all though the year.  It is getting bored to live in Japan.  

There is absolutely no everyday problems on the basic necessities such as Water, Electricity, Milk, Fruits, Meat, Fish and Vegetables, Tele-communications, Roads, Transport etc.

With out these problems we don't know how to spend our spare time and we are absolutely are forced to have a hobby of going out on week ends to enjoy the nature, photography, hiking/trekking, visiting friends.


Electricity is available 24x7 direct to our home.  Every house must and will have an electricity connection when they construct the house.  Getting an electricity connection from the electricity board is absolutely hassle free and the house owner does not need to make any steps to get the connection.  The builder is delegated/obligated to get water connection establish an account with the electricity board.  If you are planning to rent the house, the tenant shall get the connection activated (in their name) by just filling a one page (A6 size) application and connection will be given in absolutely in matter of minutes.

By all the above one will miss the fun (if it were in India) of visiting the electricity board several times to get the connection and bribing them to give the connection much earlier, following up several times until you get the connection.  Even after getting the connection there may be several issues that occurs during everyday life, such as power shut down, the feed wires cut, power cut due to rain, low voltage, voltage fluctuations, frequency fluctuations and what not?  Its fun to handle all these problems especially in everyday life.

Its fun to handle all these problems especially in everyday life.

Disclaimer: If you think handling problem in everyday life is painful, I would say its always the fact that the other side of the bank is always green...

[Why I love Japan] 9. Water - I admire our folks...

In Japan the life is very very very monotonous such that we have a stereotypical life style day after day everyday all though the year.  It is getting bored to live in Japan.  

There is absolutely no everyday problems on the basic necessities such as Water, Electricity, Milk, Fruits, Meat, Fish and Vegetables, Tele-communications, Roads, Transport etc.

With out these problems we don't know how to spend our spare time and we are absolutely are forced to have a hobby of going out on week ends to enjoy the nature, photography, hiking/trekking, visiting friends.

Water (absolutely drinkable from tap) is available 24x7 direct to our home.  Every house must and will have a water connection when they construct the house.  Getting a water connection  from the water board is absolutely hassle free and the house owner does not need to make any steps to get the connection.  The builder is delegated/obligated to get water connection establish an account with the water board.  If you are planning to rent the house, the tenant shall get the connection activated (in their name) by just filling a one page (A6 size) application and connection will be given in absolutely in matter of minutes.

By all the above one will miss the fun (if it were in India) of visiting the water board several times to get the connection and bribing them to give the connection much earlier, following up several times until you get the connection.  Even after getting the connection there may be several issues that occurs during everyday life, such as pipe leaking, choking and what not?  

Its fun to handle all these problems especially in everyday life.

Disclaimer: If you think handling problem in everyday life is painful, I would say its always the fact that the other side of the bank is always green...

[Why I Love Japan] 8. Care for customers...

お客様神様 - meaning: Customer/Client is God

There are several examples to justify how Japanese serve their customers to support the above statement.

Recently platform top renewal work is undergoing in the railway station [Funabori, Edogawa, Tokyo] that I use to commute everyday.  However the impact on the commuters due to this renewal work is near to zero.

Obviously this work cannot be completed overnight and it takes lot of effort and days.  Despite the effort rolls over several days the railway corporation makes sure commuters are not affected.  So?  Obviously the work is carried out during nights.  The last train leaves the stations is around 0020hrs and first train reaches the stations is 0510hrs.  So they've left with just  4hrs 50min a day to work on the renovation.

The point I wanted to place/high-light here is not how they plan/execute, but what do they do to make sure their commuters are impacted as minimum as possible.

* execute the renovation work at night when trains are NOT plying.

* give enough information and apologize for any inconvenience caused due to the renovation work.

Pic 1

* See attached picture [Pic 1] says "段差有　足元注意願います" meaning "beware of uneven surface"

Pic 2

* See attached picture [Pic 2] that shows the uneven surface [orange/black sticker is pasted to warn the commuters], which I would say they have given enough slope that commuter wont hit accidentally.  Additionally the height difference should be  less than 15mm.  Still they are notifying commuters by warning sticker and text posters.

* on top of this they will make an announcement to the commuters to be careful while boarding and apologize again for inconvenience caused.

Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries this is handled much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I love Japan] 6. Taxis in Japan

Traveling in Taxi in Japan is a pleasure.

• All taxis are metered [there are non-metered taxis available - generally called black taxis, exorbitantly costly - generally used by big shots]
• Taxi drivers are extremely polite.
• Taxis could be used for any distance.  Technically one could hire a taxi and go around Japan.
• Taxis could be boarded in two ways 
• Go to a taxi stand wait in a queue [even taxis will wait in queue] when your turn comes you can board the taxi.
• Stand in side of the road and wave hands when an empty taxi passes you by.
• Generally taxi driver does not ask where you have to before you board the taxi.  They consider asking that to their customer is rude.  Once you board the taxi they will ask.  Even if you ask them to drop in another few hundred meters, they will not hesitate or call you names.  Where ever you want to get off they will stop and collect the fare.
• Mind you they will return exact change, generally accompanied with a printed receipt.
• In some cases when they have made mistake and take a longer route they will charge less fare than shown in the meter.
• You don't need to bargain the fare, destination.
• You don't need to pay anything extra than what is shown in the meter.
• Taxis all over Tokyo are 100% non-smoking

Although there are few points one have to be very careful:

• Don't ever try to open/close the door by yourselves.  It is considered you are insulting the driver.
• Don't ever try to board the taxi from rear right side door.
• Unless there are more than 3 person don't try to board in the front.

Really traveling in Taxi in Japan is a pleasure.

Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries taxis much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I Love Japan] 5. Tipping is considered rude in Japan

TIPS - As far I know only in Japan tipping is widely considered as insult/rude.


Generally there is no tipping in any situation in Taxis, Restaurants, Hotels and any other services.  The services you've asked for are covered by the price given.  So don't pay more.  Even if you leave the cash on the table (say in restaurant), the wait staff will run after you to return it, as they will most commonly believe you forgot your change.


However a gratitude shall be shown with a gift rather than a cash tip.  For whatever reason if a cash tip is to be made (to maids on an important event etc.) then there is a procedure for it.  The money (not exceeding JPY10,000 shall be placed in a designated envelope.

Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries this is observed much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I love Japan] 4. Return exact change...

We all know the statement "Tender Exact Fare".  However it is untold custom in Japan that is "Return Exact Change".


14years ago when I first came to Tokyo, Japan, I had to buy a packet of sugar [there another interesting story behind it - will blog it later].  1kg of sugar costed JPY198.  I paid JPY200 and started walking out of the shop.


"お客様。。。お客様 (Okyaku sama - meaning Respected Customer)", I heard a voice.  I never knew Japanese then hence did not recognize she was calling me... She practically chased me, came in front of me and returned the JPY2 with the receipt and apologized.  It took a minute for me to recognize what was happening, due to three reasons.
1. I did not understand the language
2. I did not expect the JPY2 to be returned
3. I did not know why she was apologizing


In Japan (mostly) they will apologize even if its your mistake.


Exchange rates:
then USD1 = JPY145 = INR41.50 [approx.]
now USD1 = JPY80 = INR55.50 [approx.]


Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries this is managed much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I love Japan] 3. Pedestrians safety...

Picture showing how vehicles wait for
pedestrians to cross the road

Pedestrian safety, Japan has given utmost importance for pedestrian safety.  There are several types of pedestrian crosses.
1. Automatic Signaled
2. Request Signaled
3. Non-signaled


Whatever be the case pedestrians have highest priority to cross the road.  The traffic rules have gone to the extent that even if a pedestrian crosses the road in a non designated place (i.e. even not using the zebra cross) the responsibility for the pedestrian is limited to 20%.  80% of responsibility is to the vehicles [Still Japanese does not mis-use this i.e. almost the cross in the zebra cross]. 


I have never seen a main road that does not have a pedestrian sidewalk [at least it will be in one side of the road].  There are small roads that does not have a pedestrian sidewalk, but have a pedestrian lane where vehicles are not supposed to drive.


Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries the pedestrian safety is managed much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I love Japan] 2. Buses in Japan

I have never seen bus in Japan stopping away from bus stop, how much ever the crowd is in the stop/bus.


When bus stops, at first the center door is opened for passengers to get off the bus. Then with a few seconds delay the front door is opened for the passengers to get into the bus.


In spite of rush hour the bus adheres and makes sure to stop in the bus stop.  At the same time how much ever people are in urgent all the passengers will fall in a line and get into the bus one by one without pushing each other.


Almost in all major cities and towns where ever there is a multi lane system the left most lane will be パス専用 - basu senyou means "Exclusive lane for bus" or in some places it will be バス優先 - basu yuusen meaning "Priority for bus".  This is to make sure for those who use bus the traffic is as smooth as possible.


In most of cases, you can correct your watch by the arrival of the bus and the time table, they are that punctual.


Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries the buses are managed much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

[Why I love Japan] 1. Road side repair work...

Have you ever thought how the road repairs are done in other countries?


This is how will be conducted in Japan.  安全第一 anzen daiichi means "safety first".  This is not said just in words but made in practice.

Utmost care will be taken to provide safety to pedestrians and the vehicles passing by.  Almost in all places security will be a manned, especially if it involves hinderance to pedestrians.

Sometimes the work may not be able to complete in few hours and if that is the case they have several ways in which they will make sure no compromise is done with safety.  One among them will be closing the dug area temporarily so that it will not cause any hinderance to the pedestrians as well as ensure safety.  It may look foolish to close the dug area temporarily, however considering the safety and the trouble caused to the pedestrians/traffic it makes perfect sense to do this.














Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries the safety is observed much better than Japan.  Good to know about that.

Hina matsuri (Japan) and Navartri Golu (India)

"Hina Matsuri (usually known as Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. It is also called "Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)" because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. May 5th is "Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)," and this is so called "Boy's Festival." While Children's Day is a national holiday, Hina Matsuri is not.  Most families with girls display "hina- ningyo" (special dolls for Hina Matsuri, see the photo beside) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display. There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things.

Similar to Hina Matsuri, in South India, we celebrate Navarathri to display the arrangement of dolls. On the Navarathri days, kanyas (un-married) girls and Sumangalis (married women) visit the houses of the village.  The resident of the house offers them Manjal (turmeric), Kumkumam and Bhakshanam(Snacks). The visitors are invited to sing before the Kolu.  First three days of Navaraathri are dedicated to Durgaa, next three days to Lakshmi and the final three days to Saraswathi.  In the Vedic way, one can unite them as Veda Maathaa revered as Ilaa, Bharathi and Saraswathi.  In the top most step, the statues (Bommai) of Gods and Goddesses are displayed.  At the bottom most step are Bommai related to the creations of the Lord such as birds, animals et al are displayed.  Homage paid to the entire creations of the Lord and His consort.  In the smaartha tradition, Vinaayaka Bommai is the first one to be placed on the Kolu.  Generally dolls are arranged in steps of odd count i.e. 1,3,5,7,9.