FAN OF TRIVIA?
Test your knowledge of Japanese culture!
Trivia: When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
Q.
When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
A.
The answer is… c) 6 months!
Japan has a great discount when you buy a commute pass lasting for 6 months. Depending on the line you take, It can save you a significant amount, especially if you have a full-time job that requires you to commute multiple times a week.
Japanese companies will most likely pay you for transportation if you are a full-time employee. Make sure to get 6 months commute pass, since the company will probably reimburse you every 6 months knowing it's the best deal!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
Q.
When you buy a commute pass, how long should you buy to get a better deal?
a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
A.
The answer is… c) 6 months!
Japan has a great discount when you buy a commute pass lasting for 6 months. Depending on the line you take, It can save you a significant amount, especially if you have a full-time job that requires you to commute multiple times a week.
Japanese companies will most likely pay you for transportation if you are a full-time employee. Make sure to get 6 months commute pass, since the company will probably reimburse you every 6 months knowing it's the best deal!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What is "Randoseru"?
What is "Randoseru"?
Q.
What's a "Randoseru"?
a) a large ashtray used in designated smoking areas
b) an elementary schooler's backpack
c) a word used for "real estate agent" ("Land Seller")
d) a special kind of pantyhose worn by women who are entering the workforce
A.
The answer is...B!
"Randoseru" is a school bag specifically made for students from preschool through elementary school. This type of backpack is very firm and sturdy, as it does not only act as a backpack to store textbooks but also as protection when kids fall on their back.
Randoseru used to come only in black for boys and red for girls but recently, kids can choose from a variety of colors and designs.
Randoseru can be very expensive, some starting at $500 to thousands of dollars. They are meant to be used for the entire duration of a kid's elementary school years.
Even though it is originally made for elementary school kids, some adults wear it for fashion these days!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What saying "sorry" really means in Japan
What saying "sorry" really means in Japan
Q.
When Japanese people say 'sorry', what are the 3 things they could mean?
A.
It's no secret that Japanese people say "sorry" ("sumimasen", pronounced "suimasen") all the time. However, this does not always translate to "sorry", as in apologizing. In addition to "sorry", it could also mean "excuse me" and "thank you".
For example, when the waiter brings food to the table, Japanese people will say "suimasen" to show appreciation and to thank them for the service.
Many people who are new to Japan find it irritating to hear "sorry" from Japanese people because sometimes they hear it in a context that doesn't require an apology. But that's because a Japanese person isn't necessarily apologizing! Also, some people feel that Japanese people act weak when they say "sorry", but in Japanese culture they say "sorry" as a formality and to be polite.
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: Making eye contact in Japan
Making eye contact in Japan
Q.
Why do you suppose Japanese people avoid making eye contact? (Pick as many answers as necessary)
a) They don't like you
b) They are hiding something from you
c) They don't want to appear rude
d) They are shy
A.
The answer is…c) They don't want to appear rude and d) They are shy!
Generally speaking, unlike in Western cultures, making direct eye contact is not considered an important communication tool in Japan.
Japanese people don't grow up being told to look into people's eyes when having a conversation. Rather, looking straight into people's eyes can be seen as less formal, and even aggressive or rude.
So, when someone is not making eye contact with you, it does not mean they are not interested in what you have to say, they are simply not used to it, and they feel uncomfortable or shy.
What do you think about this?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: Why do Japanese people carry a handkerchief everywhere?
Why do Japanese people carry a handkerchief everywhere?
Q.
Why do Japanese people carry a handkerchief everywhere?
A.
Japanese people are ready for the unexpected. They carry tissues, handkerchiefs, and small umbrellas inside their bag at all times.
One of the rules that Japanese public schools make kids follow is to bring a handkerchief or a small towel every day so that they can wipe their hands after they wash them, or wipe something when they spill something.
You'll notice that many public restrooms in Japan do not offer paper towels nor hand dryers, so it's useful to have something on you to wipe your hands.
It is considered an etiquette, almost like in some cultures where people carry mints in their pockets or a pen just in case. If you forget it, it's a pretty big deal! The habit sticks around having grown up with it.
You can get beautiful handkerchiefs and small hand towels in Japanese department stores - check them out!
How’d you do?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What do Japanese people do for Valentine's day?
What do Japanese people do for Valentine's day?
Q.
What do Japanese people do for Valentine's day?
A.
In Japanese culture, women give chocolates to men. Whoever receives a gift on Valentine's day will reciprocate by giving a gift back to her on White Day one month later.
As gifting culture is very big in Japan, some women feel obligated to give chocolates to their colleagues, not just their significant others. Some people enjoy baking for others, but those who feel pressured to give will sometimes take a paid vacation on Valentine's day to escape from the financial burden of buying chocolates for their whole office!
How does Valentine's day work in your country?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What is a Coin Locker?
What is a Coin Locker?
Q.
What is a Coin Locker?
A.
In Japan, you can rent lockers!
They come in small to large sizes from around 100 yen to 800 yen. Since it is usually located near train stations, many people use them to store their shopping bags or suitcases while shopping or traveling.
You'll also find them in exhibition venues, museums, select gyms and bath houses, and more!
The reason why we call them "coin lockers" is because for many years, people would pay for locker access by using 100 yen coins. Depending on the locker, you might only have to insert a 100 yen coin as a deposit and you can receive your coin back after use.
Nowadays, many lockers allow you to pay via your Suica or Pasmo commuter pass. If you don't have change for a locker that requires change, no worries! Most locker areas have a machine where you can get change.
Most of the coin lockers will charge you again if you keep the items in for another day, so make sure to check how much you are being charged in advance.
Please do not store anything that could potentially damage the lockers. Also, it is not a good idea to store raw foods that need refrigeration as it can start to smell!
Have you used coin lockers before?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What is "awaseru"?
What is “awaseru”, and how does it apply to work ethic?
Q.
What is “awaseru”, and how does it apply to work ethic?
A.
The culture of "awaseru" is very important in Japan, especially when it comes to work ethic. To "awaseru" is to understand the needs and desires of others and prioritize them before your own.
In a workplace setting, how well you can incorporate your team members' ideas into a project matters more than how well you can work individually. Teamwork is greatly valued so be careful not to go off solo! You will risk others seeing you as a bad teammate.
What do you think about this culture?
Leave a comment, then hit the share buttons below to test your network!
Trivia: What is "kiwotsukau"?
What is “kiwotsukau”, and when do you see it happening?
Q.
What is “kiwotsukau”, and when do you see it happening?
A.
To “kiwotsukau” is to avoid claiming what you really want by putting others first.
For example, when you go out to eat with Japanese people, you will notice the last piece of food is always left on the plate. Even though people might want to eat it, they don’t want to seem greedy and feel bad if they claim the last bite.
Before showing your assertion, it’s important to think of how your actions might affect others. Think about what others might want first and see if you should kiwotsukau!
What do you think about this 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: What is the meaning of "Tokyo"?
What is the meaning of Tokyo?
Q.
What is the meaning of “Tokyo” (東京)?
a) Capital City
b) Center of Japan
c) Eastern Capital
A.
The answer is… c) Eastern Capital!
In kanji, “to” (東) means East, and “kyo” (京) means Capital.
As a side note, did you know that “Kyoto” uses the same kanji, in reverse (京都). Kyoto means “Capital City” since it once was the capital of 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: What is "enryo", and how should you respond to it?
What is “enryo”, and how should you respond to it?
Q.
What is “enryo”, and how should you respond to it?
A.
Did you know that Japanese people decline an offer to be thoughtful? This is called “enryo” and it’s a manner that Japanese people use all the time in conversations and is considered a way of being polite through being reserved and not assertive.
For example, if you invite your Japanese colleague to have dinner at your home, you might get declined. However, this is not because they are disinterested or dislike you - it’s actually out of kindness. Your Japanese colleague might be thinking how accepting an offer might mean burdening you with the effort to cook the dinner and clean up which would require a lot of effort.
So what should you do if it’s guaranteed that Japanese people will show enryo to your offers? It’s simple: you ask them a second time by insisting so that your colleague feels comfortable accepting on the second time.
This is how Japanese people show appreciation in a polite way, so don’t feel like making a second offer is pushy - it’s strategic.
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 bring your spouse to your company's holiday party?
Can you bring your spouse to your company’s holiday party?
Q.
Can you bring your spouse to your company’s holiday party?
A.
Technically, you can bring your spouse to a company’s holiday party, but you might wind up being the only person who brings a guest. In Western culture, it’s not uncommon to bring a spouse or guest with you to a party, but in Japan, as a general rule, a person has to be invited to come to a social gathering. It might be less awkward to bring someone that your coworkers know already. Japanese people are not used to the plus one culture, so make sure to ask the host before you bring someone!
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: Many Japanese people are hesitant to speak English. Why?
Many Japanese people hesitate to speak English. Why?
Q.
Many Japanese people are hesitant to speak English. What are a few reasons why this is?
A.
If there’s one thing that puzzles many visitors to Japan, it’s the lack of English speaking abilities despite Japan being such a developed country. There are a few reasons why Japanese people might be hesitant to speak English.
From a geographical standpoint, Japan is an island country which means there’s less opportunity for people to easily access other countries where they’d need to use English. It’s not like growing up in Europe where you can take weekend vacations to neighboring countries and use English as a common language, for example. This lack of exposure makes it harder to incorporate a new language in a natural way.
The second reason is that decades ago, public school systems lacked native teachers which shifted English learning from listening and speaking skills more to vocabulary and grammar skills. Today, most public schools have native English assists (ALTs) though the system of how language is taught might still very well be stuck in an older method.
And lastly, Japan has a culture of perfectionism and making mistakes is a great fear to many. This adds to people hesitating to speak when they are conscious of the mistakes they’re making.
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: True or False: In Japan, there are more convenience stores than hair salons.
True or False: In Japan, there are more convenience stores than hair salons.
Q.
True or False: In Japan, there are more convenience stores than hair salons.
A.
The answer is…false! Believe it or not, there are more hair salons than convenience stores in Japan. It is estimated that there are around 248,000 hair salons and 56,000 convenience stores. People in Japan are very up to date with beauty trends, and many people get their hair done once a month or once in 2 weeks. When you walk around Tokyo, you can see almost everyone is very well dressed and styled, so you can definitely see how much they value grooming.
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 the concept of "ikigai"?
What is the concept of "ikigai"?
Q.
What is the concept of “ikigai”?
A.
Japanese people live a long life, but does that mean they live a healthy and happy life? “Ikigai” is a very important concept in Japan - especially for the elderly - which translates to having purpose and meaning in life, or a “reason for being”.
Specifically, iki means "life” and gai means “reason”. Self-realization comes when you’ve found the sweet spot between what you love, what the world needs, and what you’re good at (and if you’re an entrepreneur, you can add “what people will pay for” to this mix).
In Japan, people look to increase their sense of “ikigai” by volunteering, building strong connections with family and friends, and improving their skills or hobbies. The key is to create social connections and a sense of belonging!
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: Even though work life balance is a trendy topic, why do Japanese people feel obligated to stay at work?
Even though work life balance is a trendy topic, why do Japanese people feel obligated to stay at work?
Q.
Work-life balance is a trendy topic; but why do Japanese people feel obligated to stay at work?
A.
While countries outside of Japan tend to focus on results and efficiency when it comes to work, Japanese people show dedication to work by working long hours at the office. Coming to work early and staying late is honored by the company employees who do this are seen as hard workers. If an employee still has work to do at the end of the day, coworkers will stay to help finish the work instead of going home on time. They feel bad to leave when there are other people still working, especially if the person still working is a manager. Staying at the office is how they show how loyal they are to the company.
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: Which of these items can you find in vending machines in Japan?
Which of these items can you find in vending machines in Japan?
Q.
Which of these items can you find in vending machines in Japan (you can select more than one)?
a) costumes
b) flowers
c) rice
d) umbrellas
e) batteries
d) underwear
e) soup stock
A.
The answer is… all of the above! Japanese vending machines sell literally anything from drinks and food to clothing items. You can find pretty much anything you can imagine in a vending machine. While most of the vending machines are very convenient, there are many mysterious vending machines that sell old toys and snacks when you go to a less populated areas. It is said that there are around 5 million vending machines 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: What do convenience stores in Japan have to offer?
What do convenience stores in Japan have to offer?
Q.
Other than purchasing food and drinks, what do convenience stores in Japan have to offer?
A.
Japanese convenience stores are world-class in the range of services each shop offers. In addition to purchasing foods and snacks, you can withdraw money out of ATMs, make photocopies, print documents, fax files, send mail, and pay your bills. Larger convenience stores often act as a cafe where you can sit to take a break, and in addition to packaged foods, you’ll also find fresh foods as you would any grocery store. They have everything, the service is great, and they’re open 24/7!
What are some other things you can do in convenience stores?
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 the purpose of money trays?
What is the purpose of money trays?
Q.
When you go to stores in Japan, you’ll notice they all have money trays at the register. What is the purpose of money trays?
a. to make counting money easy
b. to transfer money easily to the register
c. to avoid dropping coins
d. all of the above
A.
The answer is c) all of the above! The money tray is for the cashier to easily count and transport the coins to register. So when you are paying at the convenience store or at a restaurant, make sure to put all your cash on the money tray. Typically, cashiers should be trained to give you your change back before adding your payment into the register. Generally, the change will be given back directly to your hand, to be polite.
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
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.