Things that you wouldn't know if you've never stayed in Japan before

Japan is an advanced, international well-knowned country in the world. But there are few things that you might not know about Japan.

1. The language. Ahh, yes. Japanese. The language actually comes from Old Chinese and Old Japanese. They have lots of words that took the pronunciation and translate of Katakana directly. Therefore, most of the people there has lousy pronunciation of English. So bad that you could might only catch a word or two. It's a little rare to see the locals speak fluent English. Ofc, I am not counting those who had stay outside the shima-guni（島国,"isolated" country, Japan is an island itself）. So, be patient if you meet someone who doesn't speaks good English. And this will bring me to the next point.
   
2. Asking for directions is hard. Might as well just Google Maps or something. That way is much efficient. Lacking the ability to speak English makes them hard to express themselves. Some of them will look at Google Maps for entire day and tell you that he/she doesn't know the way. Lots of Japanese may appear to be like a robot when they are working. That's like how their education works. Training student to be a robot.
   
   
   
   
3. Tap water is free.　It's the law. Just like France. There are only two countries which tap water can be drink directly i.e. Japan and Saudi Arabia. So, don't be shy to ask for it. Just say "O-hiya arimasuka?" or "Tsumetai mizu arimasuka?". That's a way to ask for water.
4. Malls usually opens at 11am, closes at 9pm. Back in my country, shopping malls close at 10pm. And my experience in Australia, it's even earlier. Plan your time properly. A lot of tourist, any nationality, still shop around in the mall when closing time is announced. Don't be that kind of person.
5. So many limited edition merchandise. Generally, Japanese LOVE limited edition stuffs. Not those KitKats we are hear about, anything is possible. Ice-creams, chocolate, sports' merchandise etc. Also, a number of them always follow the trend blindly.
   
6. Non-individualism. The citizen of "WA" always love to do something in groups. You can related to the fact that girls always like to go to the toilet together. They have a proverb which is "出る杭は打たれる". Translation:　Nail that sticks up will get hammered. It means when you are apparently visible among a group of people, you'll face something unappropriated (exaggerating) from your acquaintances or colleague etc to obstruct you.
   
7. Two sides of them. Everyone in the world has two sides of their version. So do Japan. Tourists usually only sees the polite-robot side of the locals. Some tourists has some outstanding requests. As long as you don't have some ridiculous requests, they'll just treat you the same as their local customer. I am working at a clothes shop, most of the customer are polite, but there's always some exception. I can't describe a lot here, but only when you are really living in this Japanese society, you 'll know not all of them are REAL polite. It's a fact.
   
   
   
   
8. Pointo Kaado. It's a card that customers apply to collect points. A way of marketing. People will use the so-called "point-card" to collect points. In Japan, 1 point equals to 1 yen. Spend \108(with 8% of tax), a point will be accumulated. That's one way that the flow of money is created.
   
   
   
   
9. They are very sensitive to seasonal changes. Yes, as you walk on the street, you will realize that people wears bright colors clothes during spring and summer, dark colors during autumn and winter. 
   
10. Definition of "Kawaii" is SUPER BROAD. Things that we usually think it's cute, it's kawaii. Things that some Japanese think it's cute but we think elegant is the right word, they call it kawaii. You get the concept. Especially for youngster, they are so lack of vocabulary, they describe everything as kawaii. But not the elders, even they can't understand why Japanese young people only use the word kawaii.
    
11. Reason that their houses are not lined up perfectly. Another way to enjoy its "beauty" in another kind of way. They have laws that building must build according to building coverage(建ぺい率) and floor-area ration(容積率). Building coverage means 
12. Toilets. All toilets in Japan has toilet paper and most of them are clean. Rarely you can find a dirty toilet in Japan, especially in Tokyo. Their toilets also have some special buttons to wash your butt after using. Make sure you know how to use them or you'll get wet.
    
13. They LOVE Gaijin, yet, most of them are afraid to talk to GAIJIN. This can split into two groups in general. People who like foreigner, which translate to gaijin in Japanese, and those who doesn't. The society and mindset her is starting to change. More and more people are able to accept foreigner than old folks who are older than 65. Yet, some of them are afraid to speak or communicate with foreigners. Hence, you either get good reactions from the locals or get boo. There are people who doesn't concern about gaijin exist too.
14. Workaholic. Work over girlfriend. This is ABSOLUTELY a common practice in Japan. Japan used to have a phrase, Otoko wa soto, Onna wa uchi（男は外、女は内）, which means men should be working outside and women stays inside. This mindset creates the Japanese society we have today. Most men work late while their own wife is waiting at home. Even though now most women wants their husband to come home early, there are still a number of men work late. There are some just to please their boss. So that they could get promoted easily and faster. Even if the company wants them to go home early.
    
15. The so-called "Otaku" is not just about ANIME. Many people may had imagined the word Otaku is referring to Japan's animation. But there's more than just Anime, when someone like something like idol, airplane etc., that is actually also considered as Otaku. Airplane lovers are called Hikouki Otaku飛行機オタク. Camera lovers are called Kamera Otakuカメラオタク. 
16. Politics. More then half Japanese people don't give a sh*t about politics. With the fact that last election only has 44% voting rate. Lots of them thinks there's nothing they can do to change, or maybe they are other reasons.

Well, every country has both sides. I like Japan overall. Just that sometimes they have some culture you need to know before putting yourself into tough situation.