When I was growing up, I was always told that we have so much to learn from Japan. I grew up during the rise of the Japanese auto industry, I was taught “Japanese” business tactics, and I watched movies like Gung Ho that portrayed discipline, perseverance, and efficiency.

On my first trip to Japan, though, I wanted to explore the weird and wacky high-tech world the media has portrayed so often. What I found was a place that isn’t as “high tech” as many westerners assume but rather a relatively “low tech” cornucopia of conveniences that could make many westerners jealous.

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

Jennifer Hahn

The first thing I noticed was the lack of “open” Wi-Fi before leaving for Japan. My research found that in most places, free Wi-Fi had to be registered for before entering Japan; it's not ubiquitous. Despite the airports or an occasional restaurant or tourist site offering free Wi-Fi, I found this to be true. Luckily, my Airbnb provided me with a free mobile access point, and my $13 sim for my unlocked Blu Android phone filled in the gaps.

Though I was visiting Hiroshima, not Tokyo, I still expected to pay by credit card everywhere. This was not possible, as taxis, public transit, and most small restaurants and shops do not take credit cards at all, so I found myself visiting the ATM more than once.

Despite those low-tech facts, the conveniences I sought did not disappoint: from delightful taxi auto-open doors to parking lot tech, disabled and safety technology, conservation and cleanliness, and advanced toilet tech—I was awed. Not only did these relatively small conveniences impress me, but they were all in working order (not what I’m used to in NYC).

We may not need restroom noise makers, and filthy NYC subway tracks have proven we do need public garbage cans, but there is so much simple and creative “tech” that we can definitely continue to learn from Japanese culture.

Listing image by Jennifer Hahn