11 articles

Daily Life & Home

Living spaces, baths, school, and more. Pick a theme and learn the small cultural cues that make everyday life in Japan easier.

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Why do people take their shoes off at the entrance of a home?Daily Life & Home Why do you have to wash before getting into the bath?Daily Life & Home Why is household trash sorted so strictly, with fixed collection days?Daily Life & Home Why do people hang futons and laundry outside so often?Daily Life & Home What are tatami rooms, and why can't I wear slippers on them?Daily Life & Home Why are Japanese toilets so high-tech, with heated seats and washing sprays?Daily Life & Home Why do almost all teenagers here wear school uniforms — even on weekends?Daily Life & Home Why does every elementary schooler carry the same boxy leather backpack — and is it true they cost a fortune?Daily Life & Home Why do students spend evenings, weekends and school holidays at their club — is that really voluntary?Daily Life & Home Is it true Japanese schools have no janitors and the kids clean the toilets themselves?Daily Life & Home Why do people bathe naked with strangers — and why was I turned away for having a tattoo?Daily Life & Home