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| This issue, we look at something that has impressed us, as well as most visitors to Japan - the Japanese attention to detail.
Sometimes it's so subtle, you never even know nor realise it. Most of the time, it takes you by surprise - a very pleasant surprise. But once you've lived with it, you certainly can't live without it. Japanese attention to detail makes life more pleasant to live. |
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| One place you'll always visit when you go to any city is the toilet. (unless you're super-human or not-human. It is also in a city's toilets that you can see just what the people are like. We've visited countries where the toilets were filthy, some which were a health hazard, and many where even finding a toilet was a problem.
Of course, no such thing in Tokyo! The toilets of Tokyo are spotlessly clean, well maintained (most did not even smell of urine) and well stocked with toilet paper. The toilets here also reflect the Japanese mentality. High tech gadgets rule, with toilets that have luxuries like seat warmers, electronic bidets, dryers, auto flushers, auto deoderants, and even a device that emits a chirping sound, so that other toilet users don't hear your more 'filthy' sounds while you do your business. |
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Examples of toilets in Tokyo (from left)
Typical spotlessly clean toilet in a restaurant, even toilets go high tech and a hands-free toilet flush for hygeine |
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| No, we don't have a toilet fetish, we're just amazed at the toilets here. Some more examples of great attention to detail include having a baby restrainer in the cubicle in case you have no one to take care of your little one while you do your business, having hooks to hang your umbrellas or shopping bags when you pee (for guys) and the nicest of all - a beautiful view from the toilet, so you won't be bored while doing your business. (this was at the Shinjuku Takashimaya 7th floor toilet) |
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| From left: Baby restraint, umbrella hook, and the view from the Takashimaya Shinjuku 7th floor toilet |
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| Of course, toilets are not the only places where attention to detail can be witnessed.
Whilst shopping in Japan, we noticed something incredible! Most people know that the Japanese take customer service very seriously, but do you know the extent to which they will take their service? We went shopping in Shinjuku, and we were pleasantly surprised! Besides the pleasant smiles, the greetings and the humble yet efficient service, we found great attention to detail here.
We were surprised when the salesgirls started wrapping our shopping bags in a clear plastic sheet. It was only after we left the building that we knew what was going on - rain! Apparently they make it a point to check if it's raining... and if it is, they waterproof your precious shopping so that they reach home safe and sound. Perfect!
Buying bulky carton boxes at the local craft store, and we saw another example of excellent service - they made sure the packages were packed in such a way that it was easy for us to carry. In this case, because the packages were large and oversized (folded carton boxes), they wrapped up the package, then stuck handles to the sides, so we could easily carry them under our shoulder. Impressive! |
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Left: Raincoats for shopping bags - when it rains, most departmental stores help you protect your precious shopping from the elements.
Right: To help you carry bulky stuff, many ingenious stores come up with brilliant solutions. |
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| Of course, these were just some of the things we experienced in Tokyo. We're sure there are more. We'll be sure to record more wonderful stuff on our next trip. |
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| Enough details (and toilets) for this month. Next month, we bring you closer to living in Japan, by introducing basic Japanese words! Yes, learn to speak some basic Japanese for your shopping ease in Japan.
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