FAN OF TRIVIA?
Test your knowledge of Japanese culture!
Trivia: What is "ryakugo", and why does it exist?
What is ryakugo, and why does it exist?
Q.
What is ryakugo, and why does it exist?
A.
Ryakugo is the word used to describe when Japanese people shorten English words to make them quicker and easier to pronounce.
Here are some examples:
Starbucks = Sutaba
McDonald’s = Makku
First Kitchen = Fakkin (yep, it sounds just how you think it sounds…)
So, when a Japanese person says, “Hey, wanna go to Sutaba?”, she’s asking you if you want to go to Starbucks.
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why do Japanese people dress conservatively, even at the gym?
Why do Japanese people dress conservatively, even at the gym?
Q.
Why do Japanese people wear baggy clothes, even at the gym?
A.
Even though Tokyo is one of the fashion capitals of the world, Japan tends to have a conservative approach to fashion. You’ll rarely see women wear spaghetti straps without a cardigan covering their shoulders, and you’ll often see people in baggy clothing at the gym.
I think for me, the most unusual combination of clothing I’ve seen is where women wear running shorts over leggings. In the West, women tend to either wear shorts or leggings, but not both at the same time.
In general, Japanese people do not like to show much skin, and they do not like to show off their bodies by wearing form-fitted clothing or tight clothes. Being confident about your body is often seen as something negative.
However, things are changing. Influenced by Western culture, young people are starting to dress more freely. You will actually see people wearing tight clothes when working out!
What’s your cultural attitude towards fashion?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What's the youngest age children can take public transportation on their own in Japan?
What's the youngest age a child can take public transportation on their own in Japan?
Q.
What's the youngest age that children can take public transportation on their own in Japan?
A.
While there is no specific law on age, you can see children as young as 5-year-old traveling on a train to school alone in Japan. This is a normal practice because parents are not concerned about safety issues, and children are taught to mind pedestrian crossings, how to take public transportation, and to ask for help when needed.
Is it safe for children to take public transportation alone in your home country?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why is customer service in Japan world-class?
Why is customer service in Japan world-class?
Q.
Why is customer service in Japan world-class?
A.
“The customer is God” is a famous concept in Japan that illustrates just how important customers are to service industries. The customer always comes first. Employees are trained to know all of the facts about products and are trained to speak in a well-mannered, honorific way called “keigo”.
Even when a customer makes illogical complaints, employees will keep apologizing for the emotional stress that the customer experiences. This applies to non-luxury shops as well. Even at the convenience store, customers are treated politely by employees.
What do you think about this concept?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why is Uber not popular in Japan?
Why is Uber not popular in Japan?
Q.
Why is Uber not popular in Japan?
A.
While I’m sure many people have heard of the company Uber, in Japan, it is not uncommon to find someone who has never heard of the service.
But…if Uber is so popular in other major cities, why hadn’t it caught on in Japan?
There’s a couple reasons for this:
For starters, Japan already has a very strong public transportation system and taxi system. Taxi services offer their own apps (such as “Furukuru”, an app that helps you flag down taxis), so Uber is facing a lot of competition in Japan.
Second, Japanese people are very cautious and value their personal space. In this culture, sharing a ride with strangers and trusting a driver who is doesn’t need a taxi license and drives his or her own car is not easy. The discomfort makes Japanese people uncertain about using the service.
That said, Uber does exist in Japan and people - mostly foreigners - do use it. Just not nearly as much as other major cities!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Can you say "no" to nomikai?
Can you say "no" to nomikai?
Q.
Can you say "no" to nomikai?
A.
For starters…what is nomikai? Nomikai is a drinking event and the word comes from the words “nomu” (to drink) and “kai” (gathering/event). Most people go on nomikais after work with their colleagues.
In general, it is okay to say “no” to going to a nomikai if you have a legitimate reason like feeling unwell or needing to take care of your family. However, drinking culture in Japan is an important opportunity for coworkers to communicate freely and bond, so it’s important to participate to build these relationships and feel part of the team.
New or young employees always say yes to nomikai because it is considered part of their job to develop relationships with people in the company. Japanese people go for nomikais even in university with their extracurricular club friends so it is not an unusual practice for them. If you are new to the company, you will be spending most of your time with your colleagues!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What time are you expected to arrive at for a 10am business meeting?
What time are you expected to arrive at a 10am business meeting?
Q.
What time are you expected to arrive at for a 10am business meeting?
a) 10:10 am
b) 10:05 am
c) 9:55 am
d) 9:50 am
A.
The answer is d) 9:50 am! Japanese people are very punctual. Generally, people will start gathering from 10min before a meeting time, especially in business situations.
Being on time is very important in Japan, so remember to always arrive 10 minutes in advance. People who are late can be considered unprofessional and untrustworthy. Calculate the possible delay of trains and make sure you have plenty of time to spare.
As a side note, people tend to be less time-conscious when meeting friends, but they still arrive a few minutes ahead of schedule. If you are going to be late, let your Japanese friends know so they won’t be upset!
How are you with punctuality?
Leave a comment and share this with your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What are some popular sakura-flavored treats?
What are some popular sakura-flavored treats?
Q.
What are some popular sakura-flavored treats?
A.
Japanese people love spring, especially seeing sakura (cherry blossoms) which symbolize a new beginning.
Around March after Valentine’s Day, companies will start making sakura flavored snacks and drinks. Starbucks comes up with a sakura-themed drink every year, and when you go to a convenience store you will see all kinds of sakura flavored chocolates and cookies like KitKat and Pocky. If you go to a cafe, they will even have unique dishes like sakura pancakes and sakura lattes as a seasonal dessert!
The most famous sakura flavored sweet in Japan is called sakura mochi. Mochi (pounded rice) is wrapped with salted sakura leaf, and is a Spring delicacy to welcome the new season.
While all of these sweets and drinks look Instagram-ready as they’re very cute and pink, they have a subtle flavor. The enjoyable parts are the color and the smell, and taste-wise, you will get a hint of cherry and a lot of sweetness.
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why do Japanese people stay in one company for their whole career?
Lifetime employment in Japan
Q.
Why do Japanese people stay in one company for their whole career?
A.
The majority of the Japanese people join a company right after they graduate from university, and they stay at the same company until they retire. Why is this the case?
A lot of traditional Japanese companies are hierarchical. This means the longer you stay and the more seniority you gain, the higher your salary becomes. If an employee chooses to change to a different company, he would have to start from the bottom of the ladder; so, it’s more lucrative to stay.
When you enter a company in Japan, a lot of the big companies will assign you to a department. It is not unusual to be unaware of what department you will be working in when they hire you. The company will move you across Japan to different branches every few years, and they will change your department as well. This can be surprising for many people outside of Japan, but because of this system, employees get to experience different fields. Employees don’t get bored of staying at the same company as there is always a change every few years.
However, things are changing. Thanks to the rising trends of work-life balance, Japanese people have been seeking more freedom with career change. People are starting to change companies in the middle of their careers to focus on building their skills, and a lot of young companies are hiring new people with specific skill sets.
Do you think you could stay at one company your entire career? Why or why not?
Leave a comment and share this with your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What are some good sites for purchasing event tickets in Japan in English?
What are some good sites for purchasing event tickets in Japan in English?
Q.
What are some good sites for purchasing event tickets in Japan in English?
A.
These three sites are great if you’re looking for anything from small local meetups to large events like concerts, art shows, and sports games.
You can also buy tickets at convenience stores via ticket machines or at local ticket shops. It will be a great gift for your friends and family as the gift season and White Day is around the corner!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: How many exits does Shinjuku station have?
How many exits does Shinjuku station have?
Q.
How many exits does Shinjuku station have?
a) 27
b) 62
c) 148
d) 200
A.
The answer is d) 200 exits! Shinjuku station is known to be one of the busiest stations in the world. Trains and subways are connected through big department stores, which means you have huge crowds of people gathering to travel far distances or to shop locally. It is not rare for people to get lost in Shinjuku station, so when you are meeting with your colleagues, make sure to double-check which exit you are supposed to go!
Have you ever gotten lost at a station in Japan?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What is "Giri Choco"?
What is "Giri Choco"?
Q.
What is “Giri Choco”?
A.
“Giri” is a Japanese word that implies obligation or duty, and “Choco” means chocolate. So, “Giri Choco” is a chocolate that girls give to boys on Valentine’s Day out of obligation.
Even if a girl is not romantically interested in a boy, if she feels bad that he hasn’t received chocolates, she will give him “Giri Choco”. There are no direct ways to tell if the chocolate is being given out of obligation or out of romantic interest, but you might be able to tell based on the quality or the price of the gift.
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What are some unspoken rules and etiquette at onsen (hot springs) in Japan?
What are some unspoken rules and etiquette at onsen (hot springs) in Japan?
Q.
What are some unspoken rules and etiquette at onsen (hot springs) in Japan?
A.
My Japanese family spent generations in the sento (public bath house) business, so this topic is close to my heart!
For starters, if you have any tattoos, you might want to check with your onsen whether or not tattoos are allowed. In the olden days, yakuza (Japanese mafia) were the only people with tattoos, so banning tattoos was a way for onsen owners to avoid yakuza at their establishments. Obviously yakuza are not the only people who have tattoos nowadays, but the rules that have been set in place for decades haven’t relaxed as rapidly.
Other than that, here are some public bath/onsen etiquette to follow:
Do not wear any clothing, including bathing suits, into a public bath. If you carry a small towel into the bath, keep the towel out of the water (you can do so by folding it and placing it on your head)
Rinse off your body first before sinking into a hot tub or hot spring
If you have long hair, make sure your hair is tied up to prevent loose hairs escaping into the water
Do not enter a bath with soap on your body/hair.
Be mindful when you use a portable shower head not to spray water onto other people
Carry a small towel with you; before you exit the bath house into the changing room area, wipe excess water from your body so you do not drip water onto the floor between the bath and your locker.
Most importantly, enjoy the relaxing bath time!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment about your onsen experience, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Where can you find English-Speaking Therapists in Tokyo?
Where can you find English Speaking Therapists in Tokyo?
Q.
Where can you find English-Speaking Therapists in Tokyo?
A.
The best definition of therapy I’ve heard of is that it’s like “a massage for a brain”. You can’t think your way out of negative thinking, so why not talk to someone who can help you move your thinking in a positive direction?
That said, it might seem hard to find help in Tokyo but, here are counseling centers with licensed professionals who speak a variety of languages:
Tokyo Counseling Services (English, French, German, Korean, Chinese, and Portuguese)
TELL (English, Spanish, Cantonese)
Tokyo Mental Health (English)
Tokyo Meguro Counseling Center (English)
You can book online or call for appointments. Some places offer Skype video chats so you can have a session from the comfort of your home!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: What is Otoshidama?
What is Otoshidama?
Q.
Have you heard of Otoshidama? What is it?
A.
On New Year’s Day, kids receive otoshidama (a money gift) from their parents and relatives. Japanese kids will start to learn how to appreciate money and how to handle it from this experience.
There are no rules for the amount; it is different in each family. But to give you an idea, relatives start giving kids around 1000-2000 yen ($10-$20) from when they are born to 10,000 yen ($100) when they complete school. Some people stop giving allowance once the kid has started his or her first job, however, the gift of giving money can continue beyond that into adulthood. Sometimes, mentors (senpai) in companies will even give their subordinates (kohai) otoshidama!
This might sound like a lot of money, but the trade-off is that people do not really give other items such as birthday gifts nor Christmas presents throughout the year, so the cash gift is likely the equivalent to what you’d contribute to your family member in other cultures.
Do you have a money-gift practice in your culture?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: When you turn from a vacation, do you have to bring a gift to the office?
When you come back from the holidays, do you have to bring omiyage to the office?
Q.
When you return from a vacation, do you have to bring a gift to the office?
A.
It’s not an obligation, but the majority of employees who return from their hometown or vacation in Japan bring a small gift to the office for their coworkers.
What kinds of gifts are good to give? Typically, inexpensive treats like chocolates or cookies that can be easily shared are the best options. Gift-giving is a great way to create small talk with other employees and share your experiences about your trip!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why do Japanese people hesitate to take paid vacations?
Why do Japanese people hesitate to take paid vacations?
Q.
Why do Japanese people hesitate to take paid vacations?
A.
Depending on the company, Japanese people are entitled to take around 20 paid vacation days throughout the year. While most Japanese people take off public holidays (For New Years, Golden week (early May), and Obon (mid August)), the majority of people end up taking only half of the remaining paid holidays provided.
Why don’t Japanese people take advantage of their holidays? There are two main reasons.
The first is a worry around work accumulation. It is known that Japanese companies take a long time to make decisions. They won’t implement the plan until everyone agrees. Employees have to go through many meetings and discussions to get their ideas to the boss. This gives them extra paperwork and meetings. When they take long holidays, they come back with piles of work on their desks. Knowing that they will have to work 3 times as much, people tend to take short vacations and come back in order to avoid stress.
The second is a worry around showing loyalty to coworkers. In Japan, not being in the office when your boss is working, or burdening your coworkers with extra work when you are not in the office can make people think that you are not a team player. By working even when you don’t “have” to (such as overtime or during vacation days), you are showing loyalty to the company.
Luckily, Japanese companies have started trying to change this culture of overwork by forcing employees to take paid vacations and prohibiting overtime work. It’s hard to make this change happen but they are working on it. If you go to more international companies tend to value more efficiency and productivity, but if you work at a company with a large Japanese population then you might still have trouble with trying to take time off without creating workplace tension.
What are your feelings about paid vacations?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: When is Pocky Day?
When is Pocky Day, and why this particular date?
Q.
When is Pocky Day?
a) March 3rd (3/3), because 3 pm is snack time
b) June 6th (6/6), because Pocky was invented in 1966
c) November 11th (11/11), because Pocky looks like the number “1”
A.
The answer is c) November 11th, because Pocky looks like the number “1”!
Pocky day is celebrated mostly among kids and students by eating Pocky or Pretz snacks at 11:11 am on November 11th.
These sacks are very popular in Japan and it became even more popular after this marketing campaign. Pocky day is as big as other holidays in Japan!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Why is Halloween so popular in Japan?
Halloween and cosplay culture in Japan
Q.
Halloween is popular in Japan…but why?
A.
Even though Halloween did not originate in Japan, Japan has become one of the top destinations for travelers looking to have the best Halloween Celebration. It all started back in 2000 when Tokyo Disneyland decided to host a Halloween event, an opportunity so popular that it spread to other theme parks and caught on to the general population.
The reason why Halloween has become so popular in Japan is because of the cosplay (dress up) culture. Japanese people love a reason to dress in costume, and Halloween is the perfect opportunity to join in on the fun. Nowadays, you can even see groups of Japanese coworkers dressed up in theme after work, enjoying drinking parties.
Trick-or-treating is not part of Halloween celebration in Japan, but some local towns sometimes offer trick-or-treating opportunities for kids where shop owners will provide candy.
How do you best like to celebrate Halloween?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Trivia: Women's Work Attire Do's and Don'ts in Japan
What is the appropriate work attire for women in Japan?
Q.
Which style is inappropriate to wear at the traditional Japanese company for females?
a) Leggings
b) Tight skirt that shows your body line
c) Tank tops
A.
The answer is….all of the above!
Dress code of course applies to the company and industry you’re working in, but in any case there are general rules of thumb to follow to avoid questionable attire.
Here are some dos and don’ts:
Do wear stockings when wearing a skirt to cover bare skin
Don’t wear anything tightly form-fitted that shows your body line
Don’t wear tops that show too much skin, like tank tops or blouses with deep cuts
Do wear neutral colors, like white, black, grey, and beige.
Do pair a sleeveless blouse with a cardigan.
Do check if you need to wear nail polish and what colors are acceptable
Do check if you need to wear heels
The dress code in Japan is very strict and specific, so don’t forget to check with your supervisor before you start working!
What’s the dress code in your work place?
Leave a comment, then hit the share button below to test your network!
Learn how Thrive Tokyo can help professionals live, work and thrive in Japan!
Click one of the options below to learn more
Founder of Thrive Tokyo
Greetings! I’m Katheryn, a coach and trainer who helps professionals live, work and thrive in Japan. Click here to learn more about me.