Empicca's Territory

Things that shocked me in Japan PART 1 _ (1) No rice meals in Mcdonalds _ We were so happy to see Mcdonalds inside the airport but when we saw the menu it is all burgers and fries. In Philippines they sell rice meals (chicken, patties, etc.) But the good thing is that they are selling French Macarons, which I like. (2) Driver is on the right side _ Truth be told, IDK how many times me and my father shouted cause we thought we crashing to something or someone. In Philippines driver is on the left side. (3) Japanese people’s height / noses _ I really thought Japanese people are not tall and with round or not so pointed nose. But I have observed most of them are tall. They have very slim / petite bodies tho, but tall. Their noses are slim too, but are pointed. Almost looks like plastic surgeries. But who knows right? I really like their skin. If Korean’s are into that “glass skin” Japanese skin is like fair and matte. (4) Not much of English speakers and signs _ TBH I was expecting there would be a lot of english signages or announcements etc. But there isn’t. It is really hard for them to understand and speak English even the basic ones. If you’re going to Japan would really recommend to know basic words or have an app translator. Also, be polite or ask consent if they would like to speak using your phones translator, because of covid or other diseases or sickness they are a bit hesitant sometimes. (5) Use the word TOILET _ When we first got to Japan they did not understand the word bathroom or comfort room or CR. But when we mentioned Toilet thats the moment they understood. Lol. Its because in PH we rarely use the word toilet. Lol. [PHOTO _ City view from a park in Kobe]

LOL at the CR. That was the biggest issue I ran into when I moved to California. CR is strictly a Filipino word I think.

@wik RIGHT! HAHAHA Shouldve done more research tbh. We were chill since we have our relatives there. We be just going w the flow. Hahaha

Things that shocked me in Japan PART 2 _ (1) MATIC TOILETS _ Everything inside there is automatic. I was scared to use their comfort rooms at first because I dont know which buttons to press. The toilet seat matic flushes, the garbage cans matic opens, you can flush the toilet paper too, it won’t clog, faucets automatic. Pretty new to me because only few toilets in PH are like that. Most common ones are only like the faucets. (2) Lots of parking spaces _ You cannot just park your car anywhere. You really gotta find a parking lot. In yer own home you gotta have your own parking space. You just cant park it infront of your house or near the streets. Which is quite new to me because in PH a lot of people have cars but dont have their own garage. Cars all over the streets. (3) MANSIONS _ In Japan apartments are very common. Anywhere you go you see an apartment. Their apartments there are called Mansion/s. When my relatives migrated in Japan 10 years ago they were worried because the company was like “we will help find you a mansion” and they were like nani?! mansion?! Please just a small house or apartment. Not knowing Mansion = apartment (4) Segregation _ Bruh they are very strict when it comes to their trash. Just like for example a bottled water…the cap is in diff bin, the bottle wrap is in diff bin as well, and the bottle is in diff bin as well. IDK how many times I asked my aunt “is it ok to put this kind of trash here?” Also every day workers get specific kind of trash, example today they gonn get papers, next day just cans, next just bottled waters. New to me as well cause in PH we dont care. Lmao. But in our house tho we segregate trash properly cause my mom strict and is an environmental planner. (5) MUCH PDA _ Japanese couples love to hold hands, hug, whatever skin to skin interaction. Tbh I find it cute. In PH if you do this people will judge you and will find you flirt/slut/disgusting and will say doing such gestures unnecessary. My love language aint physical touch, but small and cute gestures to show you care is 11/10 for me and Im happy to see theyre not afraid to do so. Lol. [PHOTO _ Bridge in Kirinomori _ They produce lots of Matcha products and it is only available and produced in that place. There is also a museum there about it. We tasted lots of food with matcha here. My favorite would be the cake with matcha filling inside. Small serving tho for each food.]

yea, i also would like to have a couple like that too. Also they are kinda open about their hobbies which is hard to find in my country, lucky for them that lives there.

Things that shocked me in Japan PART 3 _ (1) Machine Workers _ Ive dealt with more machines than actual people/workers in Japan. Example: Tollways are just using machines/cards. In restos and in groceries mostly no more cashiers/servers. Gas stations without pump attendants. It is new to me because in PH we are used to dealing with actual people. It also amazes me how most people in Japan have work even when almost everything there is automatic / machine operated. Funny story: We went to this museum and we got used to doors matic opening and we just stood there for how many minutes not opening the door cause we were like the door aint opening we must wait for it to matic open hahaha (2) INDEPENDENCE _ We are so used in PH with people assisting or doing things for us. But in Japan you are taught to be independent. You gotta do things your own. Gotta sweep your own yard, gotta segregate your own trash, you gotta scan and pack your own groceries, you gotta clean your table after eating and put it back, etc. etc. (3) NO BYSTANDERS _ Disclaimer, we spent more time roaming around the countryside of Japan. And I did not see anyone my age. Or kids playing outside houses. Or people just casually hanging outside their porch or yards. It is almost like a ghost town there. Their train stations even empty. You go grocery shopping and it is like youre the only one there. However the experience is different in big cities. It is crowded there. Most people are in a hurry. And it is not really my type of life. But still in both sites you cant see people begging for food or just being high on the streets. (4) SILENCE EVERYWHERE _ Im an introvert and I enjoy silence, but trust me the silence in Japan hits different. Haha. You cannot talk or laugh loud, not even when youre with fam/friends. When traveling in public transpo your phone must always be in DND mode. Trust me when I say theyre gonn judge you if youre loud or your gagdet is loud. I recommend wearing earphones all the time. Lmao. (5) You cannot just eat anywhere _ You cannot eat inside the bus or inside the train. You also cannot eat while walking. If youre about to ride a train or bus and you got food you consume it before traveling. [PHOTOS _ Ehime Prefectural Science Museum : My favorite part in this museum is like the 360 theatre like experience. It really feels like you are stargazing.]