- In Japan, I saw how the local culture and etiquette are different from what I'm used to in the US.
- With self-cleaning toilets and an absence of trash, Japan models an impressive level of cleanliness.
- The public toilets and hotel freebies in Japan were also far superior to what I've seen in the US.
As soon as I arrived in Tokyo to a near-silent Narita Airport, I knew I was in for a bit of culture shock.
Already, the Japanese culture felt far different from what I'm used to in the United States: Most US airports are incredibly noisy.
As I left, I was surprised again when I got into a taxi on the right side of the car. I quickly learned from the driver's panicked reaction that I was apparently supposed to enter from the left.
The next few days were a crash course in learning the local etiquette.
Although I'm considered pretty soft-spoken back home, in Japan, I felt too assertive and found myself quieting my voice and being more gentle in my body language to adapt to my surroundings.
I found myself appreciating Japan's politeness, extreme cleanliness, and order, whether I was lining up to board the subway or using the immaculate public bathrooms.
The harsh return to loud and chaotic New York City made me miss many of the norms I witnessed on my trip. Here are some I wish the US would adopt.
The public bathrooms are impressively clean, with fancy toilets
Compared to the public bathrooms in the US, Japanese public bathrooms feel like they belong in a five-star hotel.
Each one I encountered in Japan looked spotlessly clean, and the toilets were more technologically advanced than anything I've seen back home.
They don't just flush automatically when you're finished — they can also sense when you're approaching and lift the lid accordingly.
Almost all have multi-functional, electronic bidets. Some have heated seats, and many are self-cleaning.
Many hotels provide complimentary pajamas, slippers, and toiletries
I returned home from Japan with a full tube of toothpaste because I barely touched my toiletry bag during my trip.
Every hotel in Japan I stayed at had an impressive toiletry kit that included a toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, and single-use size packets of facial cleanser and moisturizer — often from a luxury skincare brand.
I've never gotten freebies on this scale at nice hotels in the US, where the standard is just one tiny bottle each of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
In Japan, I'd usually also find a set of pajamas and slippers in the closet for guests to use. At some of the finer hotels I stayed in, they were from designer names. The Derek Rose set I wore at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka was so silky I considered buying them.
The complimentary items made traveling more efficient since I barely had to unpack at each new hotel I stayed in.
The airports often have separate slippers for walking through security
As someone who awkwardly tip-toes through security because I'm grossed out by walking on the airport floor, I was thrilled to find slippers available to borrow at several airports throughout the country.
In Japan, it's customary to remove your shoes before entering many indoor spaces. I loved that this extended beyond the airport to hotels, spas, and sometimes restaurants, where I'd often have to leave my outdoor shoes at the door.
It helped indoor spaces feel even cleaner, especially on rainy days when shoes can get wet or muddy.
There are hardly any public trash bins, yet the streets are spotless
Every time I had a receipt I wanted to toss, I faced the impossible task of finding somewhere to throw it out. Even in big cities like Tokyo, garbage bins are almost completely absent from public spaces.
I thought this would incentivize people to litter, but it actually seemed to have the opposite effect. A local told me Japanese residents often just hold onto their trash until they can dispose of it at home.
Public spaces are incredibly quiet, creating a calm atmosphere
In Japan, it's the norm for people to keep to themselves in public.
I first noticed it at the airport, where I saw seats separated by small walls instead of armrests, creating semi-closed pods for travelers. It was a dream for introverts like me.
Whether I was at the airport, on the train, or even a busy shopping mall, my surroundings were quiet — so quiet, I often thought I had my headphones in when I didn't.
In New York City, I'm used to hearing strangers' full conversations or music blasting from their headphones. In Japan, I rarely even heard someone on their phone — and if people were traveling together, they were silent or speaking quietly.
As a result, public spaces in Japan maintain an air of tranquility that feels like a novelty compared to many public spaces in the United States.