Today I thought I’d share my first impressions of Japan. Having spent a lot of time travelling in Asia, living in neighbouring South Korea, and watching way too many YouTube videos about travel in Japan, I thought I knew what to expect, but my first few days in the country were full of surprises. During my first 24 hours in Japan, I was struck by how confusing purchasing a metro pass can be, the number of vending machines that can be found on the streets, and the fact that I could buy a ready to go meal from a convenience store…and it didn’t end there. So, over the next few days I wrote up a list of things that surprised me, confused me, and amazed me. Now here you have it, a foreigner’s first impressions of Japan:

My First Impressions of Japan

– Vending machines are everywhere and sometimes you have multiple machines right next to each other. You can buy coffees, energy drinks, sodas, teas, ice creams and just about anything.

– The first time navigating the metro is confusing and overwhelming (especially if you’re dealing with jet lag!), but it’s a breeze once you finally get it.

– The metro is also very quiet. If people are speaking on their phones it’s usually in hushed whispers and they have the briefest of conversations before they hang up.

– On a rainy day, you can expect to see nothing but clear umbrellas on the street. I thought they were super cool because you can still see all around you and do some sightseeing even in the rain!

– Shops have plastic sleeves that you can place your umbrellas in so that you’re not dripping water all over the store.

– On a sunny day, people use coloured umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. They act like parasols and also have UV protection on the inside.

– People ride bicycles everywhere! They also ride them on the sidewalk and through pedestrian areas so you have to be aware of your surroundings and not make sudden movements. Cyclists hardly use their bell so as to not disturb you, but that also means it’s hard to know they’re behind you!

– Speaking of bicycles, you’ll have no difficulty finding bike racks or even entire bicycle parking lots.

More First Impressions Of Japan

– Conveyor belt sushi is a very fun experience!

– Car parking lots are amazing! Because space is quite limited, there are car elevators that will take your vehicle and store it either above ground or below ground. It’s fascinating to watch.

– Cars are much smaller here and their shapes are boxier.

– Drivers back their cars into their parking spot instead of pulling in. A strange phenomenon!

– Public bathrooms are very high-tech. The toilet selection usually features heated seats, music for anyone feeling shy about their bowel movements, and a sprinkler to wash your bum much like a bidet.

– But as futuristic as Japanese toilets can be, you can also find squat toilets every once in a while.

– Customer service is at a whole different level. People bow whether you’re scanning through the metro or buying a bottle of Pokari Sweat at the convenience store.

A Foreigner’s First Impressions Of Japan

– You can see robots!

– Pachinkos are deafeningly loud!

– Business attire reigns supreme on the city streets. Work clothes in North America seem far more casual than Japan’s suits, blazers, and tailored pants.

– Staying in a capsule hotel feels a bit like staying in a hostel dorm, but with some extra privacy.

– Train conductors in Japan will point at things and make seemingly strange hand gestures. It turns out these physical movements are cues to prevent workplace errors and be aware of each task they’re completing.

– Convenience stores are everywhere and you can find everything you need, especially in regards to food. Keep an eye out for Lawson, Family Mart and 7Eleven if you ever need something in the wee hours of the morning, because these places will be open.

– You can buy pretty good sushi and sashimi at the supermarket.

– Fruit can be very expensive, meaning you end up eating less fresh ingredients.

– Summer in Japan is really rainy, hot and humid!

Impressions Of Japan

– When you go to a ramen restaurant, you usually have to order your food from a vending machine. You then take your ticket inside and hand it over to the server.

– Restaurant menus are always in Japanese (as they should be), but in tourist areas, you can sometimes count on there being an English menu or a picture menu for foreigners.

– Shoes always come off when entering a home and you switch into a pair of slippers.

– Most of the older apartments in Japan have a room with tatami floors.

– Travelling by train can be very expensive unless you’ve bought a JR Pass, but bus travel is a cheaper alternative and a nice way to see the countryside.

– People in Japan are very helpful. There were many occasions where I was looking lost or staring at a map, and people not only pointed me in the right direction, but even walked me to where I needed to be!

– Baseball is super popular and the experience of attending a game in Japan is very different from North America. Fans have songs for each player, spectators dance and cheer during the games, and the menu features less hot dogs and more yakisoba (fried noodles)!

– A typical Japanese breakfast is savoury, not sweet, and it includes items like rice, miso soup, grilled fish, natto and tofu or a combination of these items.

– Clear coffee – you can buy that here.

– Clear Coca-Cola – you can also buy that here!

– When you buy a box of cookies, they come individually wrapped.

– Matcha soft-serve ice cream is delicious and you can find it everywhere.

– Not all desserts are created equal. Baked goods may look good, but they are usually quite bland. The dough is quite spongy and fluffy, but I find it lacking in sweetness and overall flavour.

Random First Impressions of Japan

– Finding a garbage can in the streets can be quite challenging and you often end up having to carry your garbage with you several blocks (or bring it back home).

– There’s a sense of caring for shared public spaces and keeping things clean and tidy. No one leaves their trash behind.

– The amount of plastic bags people go through is horrifying. Also, even though Japan is very particular about recycling, I noticed way too much plastic going into the general waste bins.

– Arcades are so much fun and a great activity for a rainy day.

– Lost in Translation is the perfect movie to watch before your trip.

– Tokyo Fiance is a cute one too.

– This country is fascinating and you’ll find yourself thinking of a return dream trip before the one you’re on is even over!

Making the Most of Your First 24 Hours in Japan

Day One Planner

What to Pack for Japan

Pocket Essentials

A Few More Things Worth Noticing

• Parking elevators use mechanical stacking to store cars vertically. If you happen to pass one while it’s cycling, it’s worth pausing to watch the whole sequence.
• Baseball games have organized chants and player-specific songs from the supporters’ sections. The food is different too — yakisoba and other Japanese snacks rather than hot dogs. Find a spot near the home supporters and pick up the chant.
• Department store rooftops sometimes have small parks or food stalls tucked up there — worth checking what’s on the top floor before you leave a building.
• Morning markets like Tsukiji’s outer market in Tokyo or Nishiki in Kyoto open early with grilled tamagoyaki and skewers — a good option for early risers still adjusting to the time difference.

Where to Stay in Japan

Tokyo is the most common entry point for first-time visitors, and where most of the observations in this article come from. Staying in a central neighbourhood — Shinjuku, Shibuya or Asakusa — makes it easy to experience everything described above without complicated commutes.

• Park Hyatt Tokyo — the luxury hotel in Shinjuku where Lost in Translation was filmed. Since the film is recommended in this article (and it genuinely is the best pre-trip watch), staying here adds a certain layer of familiarity. The views from the upper floors at night are exactly what you’d expect. Worth it for a night or two if the budget allows.
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — a well-placed mid-range hotel in Kabukicho with a large Godzilla head mounted on the exterior terrace. Fitting for an article about Japan’s quirky first impressions. Good location, reasonable price, and the kind of detail that you’d put in a list exactly like the one in this article.
• Dormy Inn Premium Shinjuku — a popular mid-budget chain known for their in-house onsen baths and reliable Japanese-style breakfasts. A sensible first-visit option if you want genuine comfort without the luxury price tag. Frequently mentioned by first-time Japan visitors as a good introduction to the country’s accommodation culture.

Tokyo food and konbini experience tours are also searchable — a guided introduction to the convenience store culture, ramen ordering and street food that comes up throughout this article. A useful first-day activity before you start navigating independently.

First Impressions of Japan FAQ

Why are there so many vending machines — and what do they sell?

Because they’re safe, well-stocked and refilled constantly. Expect hot and cold drinks, coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, soups and ice cream — and occasionally umbrellas or snacks.

Is the metro confusing for first-timers?

At first, yes — multiple operators and fare systems make it feel overwhelming. It gets straightforward quickly once you have an IC card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA), follow the line colours and pay attention to exit numbers.

Why does everyone carry clear umbrellas?

They’re inexpensive, durable and transparent — useful for navigating crowds at crossings. Many shops provide plastic sleeves at the door so you don’t drip water inside.

Do people really cycle on sidewalks?

Often, yes. Riders tend to move quietly and rarely ring their bell, so the habit to develop is walking predictably and glancing behind you before stepping sideways.

What is the deal with tiny cars and parking elevators?

Space in Japanese cities is at a premium, so compact boxy cars (kei cars) are common and parking lots often use mechanical stackers that lift and store vehicles vertically. The cycling process is worth watching if you catch one in operation.

Are the toilets really as high-tech as people say?

Many are — heated seats, bidet and wash functions, and sound masking are standard in newer facilities. That said, you’ll still encounter the occasional squat toilet in older buildings.

How do convenience stores compare to supermarkets?

For daily use, konbini often win — Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven carry fresh onigiri, bento boxes, salads, good coffee and services like ATMs and bill payment. Quality is consistently high and they’re almost always open.

Why do ramen shops use vending machines to order?

It speeds service in compact spaces and reduces the need for staff to take orders. Choose your bowl at the machine, collect the ticket and hand it to the person behind the counter.

Is fruit really that expensive?

Often, yes — limited farmland, strict quality grading and a culture of gift-giving push prices up for premium fruit. Seasonal deals and fruit cups at supermarkets are the practical workaround.

Why are rubbish bins so hard to find?

Public bins are deliberately limited; people are expected to carry their waste home or to sorting stations. A small bag in your pocket for wrappers and cups makes the day considerably easier.

What is capsule hotel life actually like?

A bit like a quiet, well-organised hostel dorm. You get a pod, a locker, shared bath facilities and strict quiet hours. A solid choice for solo travellers and short city stays — and worth doing at least once.

Why are baseball games and arcades such a draw?

Baseball in Japan comes with organized chants, player songs and food like yakisoba — the atmosphere in the supporters’ section is unlike anything in North America. Arcades are multi-floor entertainment spaces with claw machines, rhythm games and purikura photo booths, and they work well as a rainy afternoon option or for serious people-watching.

And those are some of my first impressions of Japan! How about you? Have you travelled to Japan? Feel free to share some of your own Japan first impressions in the comments below.