Bowing looks simple but actually there are many things that you need to be careful

As you may know, Japanese bow a lot. It is our culture to bow to express appreciation or greeting.

Bowing is just simple action which is to bend your body and lower your head. But actually there are many rules in bowing.

For example, there are 3 kinds of bowing angles, 15 degree is for passing through in front of somebody which means “excuse me”. 30 degree is for business scene which means greeting and 45 degree for expressing deep appreciation or apologizing.

We need to take on different bowing degree depending on situation.

Trash separation is getting commonplace in Japan

To recycle, reuse and reduce is so what called “3R” activity for environment in Japan.

Many prefecture or autonomous communities are trying to do what they can do for environment. Since several years ago, trash separation has been started.

For example, Pet bottle, cans & jar, plastic material and food waste need to be trashed separately. The garbage truck comes for trash but they pick up set trash.

For example, Monday:food waste, Tuesday:plastic material, Wednesday:cans & jars, Thursday:food waste, Friday:Pet bottle.

As it is rule for community, people observe the rule even it is a bit troublesome.

Massage Chair in consumer electronics store is best place to take a rest

Japanese massage chair is high tech, easy to use and makes us forget hours.
They are sold in consumer electronics stores and usually the stores have samples at sales floor. You can try them freely if you want.

As you go to the massage chair sales floor, you can see many people, especially men who are waiting for their wives to finish shopping are taking rest on the chair and having relaxation time. Actually they are waiting their wife to finish shopping.

Humpback is considered as not good for health in Japan

As games and cell phone are developed, people who has humpback is increasing.

Humpback is not good for health because it triggers trouble of gastrointestinal system, headache, and many other symptoms.

Once humpback gets worse or having humpback so long time, it presses neck vein and causes brain infract.

In recent years, even children have humpback because of games and muscle deterioration due to lack of exercise.

Humpback is called “Cat Back” in Japanese which sounds cute but actually it is very scary habit.

Believe or not, Sumo Wrestler have amazing flexibility

It is surprise that big sumo wrestler has amazing flexibility.

Once they want to be a sumo wrestler, they need to develop flexibility and their flexibility is equal to ballerina.

Of course they can open their legs with 180 degree and they can also put their chest on ground.

Their flexibility needs for safety, not to be got hurt during game or practice since their body is so big.

Japanese Carpenter wears strange clothes. What are they???

If you have a chance to come to Japan and have ever seen Japanese carpenters, you should have been surprised at their clothes.

In U.S, carpenters wear jeans and T-shirts, but not in Japan.
Japanese carpenters wear what is called “Nikka Pokka”.

It is pants with very wide hems. At a glance, it is very strange and wonder if it is safe for working.

But the form of the pants is actually for safe. As carpenters work on the height, they need to be careful with keeping balance. With small bulge of screw, they lose balance and the wide hem will help them in such case. With wide hems, hems would touch the bulge and carpenters would notice there is something around their foot. So it helps preventing carpenters from big accidents.

Youkai Watch New Ver. is released !

Fumi-chan from Youkai Watch is known as friend of main character, Keita.
Now, Fumi-chan’s version of Yokai watch is released which is for girls.

Keita’s watch is wrist type but Fumi Chan’s version is a necklace type.
Yokai Watch has been popular among boys up to now, but as release of Fumi Chan’s version, it will be surely more popular among girls too.

Parasol is must-have gadget for women from spring to summer in Japan

Everyone want to stay young as much as possible, especially women.
Many Japanese women use parasol for preventing UV not to get suntan.

There are some kinds of parasol.
The useful one is an en-tout-cas which can be used for rainy day as an regular umbrella and fine day as a parasol. Also folding parasol is popular which can be stored in your bag. The large parasol is of course well liked which can cover wide area.

The inside of the parasol is designed to cut UV as much as possible by using materials with light interception..

What time do children go to bed?

Japanese children tend to go to bed late.
Time to go to bed depends on family but many children in Japan go to bed around 8:00 to 9:00, maybe it is not too late as average, but a little bit late comparing with abroad.

It is surprise that some Japanese children go to bed even later such as 10 or 11:00.
As a result of going to bed late, children are in chronic sleepless without noticing it.

The reason of going bed varies but some says it is because parents work overtime and come home late. We surely need some break both children and adults.

Standing up eating for Soba is for men who are in hurry

Japanese love noodles such as Udon or Soba, we usually eat them sitting on chairs but in some places such as in stations or business zone, there are store which is called “Tachigui” – Standing up eating.

The system is simple, you just order the menu and eat food without sitting on chair. There are no chair in the store. Good thing for standing up eating is that you can finish eating as fast as you can, so many business man who are in hurry use standing up eating. On the other hand, it is not good for relaxing…