What do expensive melons, friendly locals and clean toilets have in common?
They’re all things you will find in Japan, according to American expat currently living on the island of Okinawa.
In a TikTok – which has been watched more than 5 million times – Courtney Ramirez outlines ’10 things that have sent me into a ‘coma’ as an American living in Japan.’
Some of the topics the Michigan native touches on include food etiquette, prices, cleanliness and friendliness, and how Japan compares to the U.S. Scroll down to see some of her fascinating insights.
In a TikTok – which has been watched more than 5 million times – Courtney Ramirez outlines ’10 things that have sent me into a ‘coma’ as an American living in Japan’
Some of the topics the Michigan native touches on include food etiquette, prices, cleanliness and friendliness, and how Japan compares to the U.S.
1. Foods have different values to back home
The TikToker says that fruit is very expensive in Japan and offering an example, one watermelon can cost up to $30.
Meanwhile, fried chicken is considered a holiday food and sushi and seafood is ‘cheap as f***ing hell,’ compared to America where they are considered a luxury.
2. Children are very independent
In Japan, Courtney says you will often see very young children out and about alone but there is no cause for concern.
She explains: ‘You’ll see a four-year-old on the street and I promise you four-year-old knows how to adult better than you do.
‘I promise you… he’s fine by himself.’
3. No one steals cars
Theft is so rare in Japan, Courtney says, that car dealerships will leave the keys inside unlocked vehicles.
She says this is a great perk because if you hire or buy a car ‘you don’t need a dealership up your ass to look at the car because its already unlocked… cos nobody’s going to steal a motherf***ing car here. Crazy right?’
4. VERY clean public toilets
While public restrooms can be hit or miss in the U.S., Courtney says bathrooms in Japan are the cleanest that she has ever seen.
Even restrooms in the 7-Eleven are sparkling, she reveals, and ‘probably cleaner than your bathroom at home.’
While public restrooms can be hit or miss in the U.S., Courtney says bathrooms in Japan are the cleanest that she has ever seen
Instead of meeting a receptionist or host at a restaurant, Courtney says in Japan 90 per cent of the time ‘you’re going to have to check in with a machine’
5. Gas stations serve delicious food
Another thing that surprised Courtney after moving to Japan was the quality of food at gas stations.
She informs viewers: ‘Gas station stores have the best food ever.
‘You want food, you’re hungry and you’re on the road… you can probably grab some gas station food and you won’t s*** your pants afterwards.’
6. The friendliest locals
While it can be hard to make friends in new countries, Courtney says she has had no problem in Japan, where she has encountered ‘the friendliest people ever.’
She says: ‘Literally the locals here are the friendliest. If they understand you or not, they’re going to approach you, they’re going to hang out with you.
‘They’re not trying to kidnap you, they’re not going to ask you for money, they’re just going to sit next to you… You’ll just watch sunset together, literally this has happened to me.’
7. Parking designed for mothers with sleeping babies
Bizarrely, Courtney reveals that in Japan ‘there’s literally designated parking spots for mothers who have sleeping babies in the car.’
This is so the mothers can go in, ‘run their quick errands and leave their child in the car because nobody’s going to take their kid, cos society in Japan they’ve just decided to protect their kids.’
8. Everyone must recycle waste
The recycling rules are very strict in Japan, according to Courtney, and she says ‘if you don’t separate your garbage [into] trash and recyclable they will not take it.’
She adds: ‘They care about the environment here ok, so they want that trash separated.’
9. Restaurants have machines to check in
Instead of meeting a receptionist or host at a restaurant, Courtney says in Japan 90 per cent of the time ‘you’re going to have to check in with a machine.’
She says sometimes this can prove tricky as not all of the machines have English and ‘sometimes you’re guessing’ what the various buttons mean.
The American advises viewers to use Google translate on their phones to decipher instructions and menus.
10. The quality of food is outstanding
Compared to America, Courtney says the food in Japan is ‘outrageously better.’
She muses: ‘I can smell food in the U.S. and get sick. Here, I can eat anything and everything and I will feel like a million bucks afterwards. No wonder this place literally has the lowest obesity rate and the longest surviving people.’
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