Differences in Manners and Rules Between Japan and Other Countries Part1

When we think of culture shock, we often imagine big things: language, customs, food.
But for many foreigners visiting Japan, it’s the everyday scenes that catch them completely off guard.

Over the years, I’ve heard plenty of “Wait, what!?” moments from friends around the world.
Here are a few that stood out the most.

🍺 Story A: Buying Alcohol from a Vending Machine!?

A friend from Sweden told me he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a vending machine selling cans of beer right on a quiet Tokyo street.
He stared at it for a moment, expecting some sort of ID check system, maybe a fingerprint scanner… but no. Just insert coins, press a button, and out comes a cold beer.

In many countries, alcohol is strictly regulated. Some only sell it at government-run shops or require ID checks for every purchase. So the idea of unmanned alcohol sales in public? That’s wild for many visitors.

But in Japan, this reflects a deep-rooted culture of social trust.
People are expected to behave responsibly, and most do. Of course, vending machines with alcohol are becoming less common these days, especially in big cities. But they still exist—especially in local towns or near traditional inns.

It’s one of those subtle things that say, “We trust adults to act like adults.”

🚉Story B: Quiet, Perfectly Lined-Up Train Platforms

Another story came from a student from the US.
He arrived at a major station during Tokyo’s infamous morning rush hour—and was shocked to see… people calmly waiting in line. No pushing. No yelling. No chaos.

Student

Everyone just… lines up? Even when the train’s packed?

Exactly. Japanese people instinctively form lines on the platform.
Even if the train is delayed or overcrowded, they wait their turn, stand behind the markers, and let passengers get off before boarding.

This kind of social discipline is rare in many parts of the world, where rush hour often means jostling for space or racing for a seat. In Japan, it’s more like silent choreography.

And it’s not about being strict—it’s about respecting others in shared spaces.
For many travelers, it’s one of the first things that makes Japan feel… different.

Coming Up in Part 2…

In the next post, I’ll share a few more surprises that visitors can’t stop talking about—like the convenience store culture, Japanese toilets, and why there are almost no public trash cans, yet no litter.

Japan may not always show off its culture loudly—but sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that speak the loudest.

P.S.

As a Japanese, I thought this was common sense. However, my friend told me that other countries don’t have this kind of culture. He told me, “This kind of culture does not exist in other countries. Common sense is a person’s prejudice. I learned something new.
Your common sense may seem strange to people in other countries.

またね(Matane)!