The genkan
Probably one of the most well known household practices is the custom of removing your shoes before entering the home. This custom is mainly based on cleanliness. [I'll let this webpage give further detail
Because of this, homes have an area call a genkan, kind of like our foyer, just kind of. Shoes do not go beyond the genkan. This is something to get used to, especially when you are trying to get a baby and an almos
t 4 year old out the door in the morning and you've forgotten to grab diapers, for example, and you have to run in and have to remove your shoes to grab them.(I will be sticking to Uggs this fall/winter.) When we were moving in, yes, the delivery men took their shoes off ev-er-y time they went back and forth! And this practice extends to other areas. For example, while shopping, I started to step into a changing room and was stopped by the sales lady saying 'shoes, shoes, shoes'.
t 4 year old out the door in the morning and you've forgotten to grab diapers, for example, and you have to run in and have to remove your shoes to grab them.(I will be sticking to Uggs this fall/winter.) When we were moving in, yes, the delivery men took their shoes off ev-er-y time they went back and forth! And this practice extends to other areas. For example, while shopping, I started to step into a changing room and was stopped by the sales lady saying 'shoes, shoes, shoes'.Toilets & Bathrooms
The bathrooms in Japan are just that, rooms for bathing. Therefore, the toilet is typically i
n a completely separate room from the bath, sometimes nowhere even close to it. Ours is a little westernized, I suppose, 'cause even though our toilet is in its own room, that room is still in the bathroom (see the pic). And the toilets, wow. They refer to these things as Super Toilets, and that they are. Most have a button for a bidet, a button for female cleanliness, and a button for a seat warmer. Sometimes, epecially in public, you will happen upon a Super Toilet with a button that plays music and a button for making noises, perhaps a faux flushing sound, to cover up your own embarrassing noises. Some have automatic lids that lift on there own when it senses someon
e near. We had alot of problems when we first ran into one of these, at a McDonalds of all places. As if all the buttons didn't freak Stel out enough, when she walked into that stall and the seat lifted on its own, it was over!! I also should mention that I realized this happened right after she had watched the movie Monster House. We had problems leaving the base for awhile after that because she would not use the restrooms anywhere offbase. She's gotten used to the look of the Super Toilet now, but still asks before using whether it is 'automatic'. Also, since the toilet room is separate, there is sometimes a little hand washing area above. Neither of our Super Toilets are working right now, so things have just been business as usual around here. These aforementioned toilets are the modern/western ones. In alot of public places you will still find the squatters.
n a completely separate room from the bath, sometimes nowhere even close to it. Ours is a little westernized, I suppose, 'cause even though our toilet is in its own room, that room is still in the bathroom (see the pic). And the toilets, wow. They refer to these things as Super Toilets, and that they are. Most have a button for a bidet, a button for female cleanliness, and a button for a seat warmer. Sometimes, epecially in public, you will happen upon a Super Toilet with a button that plays music and a button for making noises, perhaps a faux flushing sound, to cover up your own embarrassing noises. Some have automatic lids that lift on there own when it senses someon
e near. We had alot of problems when we first ran into one of these, at a McDonalds of all places. As if all the buttons didn't freak Stel out enough, when she walked into that stall and the seat lifted on its own, it was over!! I also should mention that I realized this happened right after she had watched the movie Monster House. We had problems leaving the base for awhile after that because she would not use the restrooms anywhere offbase. She's gotten used to the look of the Super Toilet now, but still asks before using whether it is 'automatic'. Also, since the toilet room is separate, there is sometimes a little hand washing area above. Neither of our Super Toilets are working right now, so things have just been business as usual around here. These aforementioned toilets are the modern/western ones. In alot of public places you will still find the squatters.Instead of a shower, we have a shower room. The Japane
se bath differently too. The shower is for rinsing and cleaning, the tub is for soaking and relaxation. [Again, see link for further explanation.]http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2002.html I'm lovin' this set up. It makes bathing the kids very efficient. Stel still has bucked the system and still uses the bath for her cleaning purposes. I suppose none of us really do it the Japanese way, but the set up is great. And, as mentioned in the article, we can start a hot bath from the kitchen. We still just walk in there and turn the knobs though.
se bath differently too. The shower is for rinsing and cleaning, the tub is for soaking and relaxation. [Again, see link for further explanation.]http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2002.html I'm lovin' this set up. It makes bathing the kids very efficient. Stel still has bucked the system and still uses the bath for her cleaning purposes. I suppose none of us really do it the Japanese way, but the set up is great. And, as mentioned in the article, we can start a hot bath from the kitchen. We still just walk in there and turn the knobs though.Last interesting note on toilets and baths, instead of the shower being on the second floor of a two floor home, as with western houses, here (as per usual) it is the opposite and the bathing area is on the first floor with another toilet (what we think of as the guest toilet) upstairs.
Appliances
They're small. Real small. Small.
But we are lucky to have them. Ovens are a rarity. Homes typically just have burners and a fish broiler.Above: Stove, washer/dryer, and our Japanese fridge
Left: My two dishwashers.
Side note: The Japanese hang their clothes outside to dry. You will see that everywhere you turn. And at the stores, there's an enormous plethora of clothes hanging options.
Garbage
Japan is a crowded place, with a shortage on space. No room for landfills. So, in order to manage the refuse of the great quantity of people who inhabit this island nation, there are very strict garbage collection policies. All garbage is to be sorted into categories. There's burnable trash, nonburnable trash, and recyclable trash (which is then divided into sub categories). It has taken alot of effort and we are still getting accustomed to the system. We peel labels off of bottles, tear the little plastic window out of spaghetti boxes, and rinse clean anything that has contained food.
Each day has it's own type of garbage, which is taken out, in the correct type of bag might I add, and placed in these green netted boxes that are in every neighborhood. If your trash is not right, the will slap a big yellow sticker on it and leave it there for all to see. And our trash would stand out like a sore thumb around here. There are 3 other American households in the neighborhood, but I'm sure it wouldn't take long to solve th
e mystery.
e mystery.This is the most expensive garbage can I will ever buy. Even with this very helpful item, things still pile up awaiting the proper day. Luckily, there are places onbase that we can take recyclables on any day of the week.
Here are two articles I found that give a little insight. Our situations are not so extreme. But, when we were moving in, many of the neighbors made sure that we were aware of the policies. It was a hot topic and made us feel a bit exposed.
I am very proud to report that our garbage is yet to be yellow stickered and left. And it is a very rewarding feeling to be doing so much recycling.
Insects
There are some crazy ones here. And from what we hear, there will be some crazy ones in our house at some point. This little lady (not so little) has made her h
ome on our side porch. We are told, thankfully, that she prefers the outdoors. I have noticed these kinds of spiders everywhere lately. And the handsome guy below is just one of several praying manti we've seen on our fron
t porch. Unfortunately, we have had the infamous Japanese hornets hanging out at our neighbor's house, making a flight path right over our barbeque porch. These suckers, well, suck. They are big and aggressive, so I've read, have painful, venemous, nonbarbed stingers and work together. They have kept us from using our porch for the time being. The neighbor is in search of an exterminator, so hopefully it won't be an ongoing problem. And also, unfortunately, we've also had a roach or two, which is really common. Our friends told us a good trick we've used once. Instead of squashing any bugs and having to clean the mess, we have a specific plastic tupperware container that we use to trap them, then, we turn 'em into popsicles! We throw the container in the freezer to kill them and toss them out after.
ome on our side porch. We are told, thankfully, that she prefers the outdoors. I have noticed these kinds of spiders everywhere lately. And the handsome guy below is just one of several praying manti we've seen on our fron
t porch. Unfortunately, we have had the infamous Japanese hornets hanging out at our neighbor's house, making a flight path right over our barbeque porch. These suckers, well, suck. They are big and aggressive, so I've read, have painful, venemous, nonbarbed stingers and work together. They have kept us from using our porch for the time being. The neighbor is in search of an exterminator, so hopefully it won't be an ongoing problem. And also, unfortunately, we've also had a roach or two, which is really common. Our friends told us a good trick we've used once. Instead of squashing any bugs and having to clean the mess, we have a specific plastic tupperware container that we use to trap them, then, we turn 'em into popsicles! We throw the container in the freezer to kill them and toss them out after.Our Housing Agents
I want to mention our Housing Agents, Takakita-san and his English speaking employee, Miho-san. They are really great and incredibly prompt when we have any issues in the house. I actually only mentioned the hornets to Miho-san and asked her opinion on them and before we knew it, her boss, Takakita-san, had come over to speak with the neighbors about it for us.
Another side note: Customer service is just awesome here. Very attentive and appreciative but, there is never any pressure.
Well, I think that's it for now.
Shortley, I will be posting on the photo journal site, some photos from a walk we took today of our hill and some cool things we discovered around our area - so please check it soon.
If you are reading my posts, I invite you to leave comments. It's always great to read some words from people back home.
Until next time...
4 comments:
We need your new address. Give the girls a hug for me.
Love ya,
Mike
Glad you are back online. We miss seeing the girls faces. How does Stella handle all the bugs? Email us and let us know a good time to skype.
We miss you.
Michele
Very cool post! Send us your new address, or should we continue to mail to Trips'?
It's good to see that Trips has finally moved from Natty Light to a more respectable beer. I love your house. Sophie says HI-YaH!!!
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