Japanese culture is both fascinating and frustrating, all depending on your experiences in this vastly modernized yet strangely conservative nation. The cultural differences vary in magnitude based on your own country of origin, but nonetheless are still pretty interesting to know. Here is a small collection of facts worth knowing whether you're planning a visit, or simply need more random tidbits of information to entertain your friends with. All of these were acquired through my own personal experiences living in Tokyo.

BATHING RITUAL: If you are a guest at a Japanese family's house for the night, you are expected to take a bath. The traditional house usually has a room with a separate bathtub and shower, and the tub is filled with hot water each evening for all of the family members to bathe in. Yes, it's true, everyone uses the same bath water throughout the night. As a guest, you are offered to be the first to bathe, and even politely trying to refuse this offer will seem like an insult. There is a very strict procedure to follow as well, as you can't just jump into the water and muck it up for everyone else. Before you get into the tub, you are required to shower with the separate shower head located near the tub. Once you're done shampooing and washing off you can finally take a soak in the tub. Not too long though, the water needs to be hot enough for the next person.

DRINKING RULES:

LOSING OR FINDING SOMETHING: The rule for finding things in Japan is simple, you are required to report it to a local Police box [Koban] and provide the officers with your name, address, and number. If within six months the item isn't claimed, it becomes your property. I once found a digital camera on top of a pay phone in Shibuya and spent ten minutes trying to figure out where I was staying on a map so I could provide them with an address. The police officer even called a special translator hotline to help me out.

CELLPHONES:

HAVING TO GO: Thankfully, not only is finding a restroom in Japan easy, with virtually every coffee shop or restaurant freely available, but you are free to pee in public as long as you do it discreetly. There is no law barring you from using that nice looking bush on the side of the road as a makeshift urinal. In fact, it's not unusual to walk through small alleys or steets at night and see taxi drivers letting loose on some poor tree. It sounds disgusting, and it is, but at least you know that when you really have to go there isn't a law stopping you from it.

LINING UP FOR A DRINK:

BICYCLES:

SLEEPING ON THE STREET:

ULTRA HIGH-TECH TOILET SEATS: Also worth noting is the slipper situation. You are usually provided with a pair of house slippers when you enter a home as wearing shoes inside is rude. When you enter a bathroom, there should be another pair of slippers near the door that should be changed into when entering.