8 Random Things You’ll Learn In Tokyo

Some fun facts and random tips about Tokyo and the Japanese culture.

Flickr OiMax Tokyo Japan — *Photo: Flickr/OiMax*

1. Fresh produce is expensive

If I lived in Tokyo, I would never eat fresh fruit or vegetables. It simply wouldn’t happen. After buying a two-pound watermelon for $21 and three tomatoes for $6,I decided to save my money for the karaoke bar.

2. Street vending machines everywhere

Vending machines are located on every corner, in alleys and in train stations. As common as streetlights, they were filled with colorful cute beverages that Pokemons drink.

Flickr midorisyu tokyo japan vending machines — *Photo: Flickr/midorisyu*

3. Cleanliness is paramount

You would never fully comprehend how dense Tokyo is unless you’re shopping in Ginza during rush hour. People in Tokyo are organized and considerate, and transportation is fast, clean, and reliable–apparently all foreign concepts in the United States.

Flickr Karl Baron tokyo japan clean — *Photo: Flickr/Karl Baron*

4. Sushi is okay, but…

Though delicious in its own right, sushi is considered more of a “party” food to be indulged once in awhile. Sashimi, ramen, yakitori and white rice are daily (and delicious) staples. Surprisingly, people in Tokyo are also avid consumers of Parisian pastries, including croissants, fruit tarts, and chocolate pies the size of my head.

tokyo japan pastries dessert — Photo: Jetset Times/Judy Wu

5. Tokyo is definitely Asia’s Paris

You will never see jeans or T-shirts in Tokyo, unless tourists (like me) are wearing them. Both women and men dress like they belong in Hello Kitty Vogue or Too Fast Too Furious.

6. Cats, cats galore

I know of 12 cat cafes in Tokyo alone, whereas the entire U.S. only has two. Unlike adoption centers in America, you “buy” cats from stores in Japan. I visited quite a few of these tiny shops, filled with adorable felines mewing behind glass windows.

Flickr MsSaraKelly cat cafe tokyo japan — *Photo: Flickr/MsSaraKelly*

7. Karaoke is a sport

People in Japan take karaoke seriously. These bars are smoky, dark, and small, but dear god, are they popular. If you stay long enough, you will see more than a fair share of drunk businessmen, stumbling out singing Mariah Carey.

portable.tv scarlet johansson lost in translation karaoke — *Photo: portable.tv*

8. Gender inequality is a serious thing

On a more serious note–as someone with family in Japan, I’ve noticed quite a bit of gender inequalities in Tokyo (and perhaps Japan in general). There isn’t a strong feminist movement here, though I’m guessing that’s partly cultural. Women are often expected to become housewives and stop their careers after they get married and have children, which is a fairly traditional concept considering how modernized the country is.

Article written by Judy Wu.