Answers to Common Questions for First-Timers
Regardless of your destination, visiting Japan for the first time is super exciting! It can also be a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with different aspects of Japanese culture. Tokyo Girls' Update has created a quick primer to answer some simple but common questions for newbies visiting for the first time.
Why is there so much plastic?
Japanese customer service has a sterling reputation all over the world, and with good reason. Whether you're visiting a chain store found anywhere in the country or a fancy boutique in a popular neighborhood in Tokyo, you're basically guaranteed to leave with your goods carefully wrapped or meticulously packaged. This uniform standard looks great and leaves a lasting impression, but can also result in a lot of excess plastic, especially bags. If you're environmentally conscious or simply don't want to deal with several bags, the easy phrase "fukuro irimasen" (袋いりません, literally "I don't need a bag") can save you some trouble.
For insight into more surprising aspects of life in Japan, read the full article at Tokyo Girls' Update via the link below!