The short answer

1. Getting around: transport perfection

Trains on time to the secondTrains arriving exactly on schedule is normal. Even a small delay brings an apology over the station speakers.

Neat lines on the platformMarkings on the platform floor show where the doors will stop. Everyone lines up, lets passengers off first, and almost nobody cuts in.

The "magic" taxi doorThe driver opens and closes the rear door for you. Don't open or shut it yourself.

• They even apologize for leaving early: in 2017, the Tsukuba Express apologized after a train departed about 20 seconds early, and it made news around the world.
• Delay certificates: when a train runs late, stations hand out "delay certificates" so passengers can explain to their office or school.
• Japanese iced coffee: brewing hot coffee directly over ice to chill it instantly is known abroad as "Japanese iced coffee".

Good to know for visitors

• Learn the basics in "How to ride trains in Tokyo".
• If you'll ride the subway a lot, an unlimited-ride pass for visitors is handy.

2. Remarkable safety and cleanliness

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Lost items come backIn 2024, about 4.4 million lost items were handed in to Tokyo's police. Wallets and phones often come back with everything still inside.

Vending machines nobody breaksMachines selling cold and hot drinks stand everywhere, glowing all night and almost never vandalized.

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Crisp, clean banknotesYou rarely see worn-out bills. New banknotes with 3D holograms were issued in 2024.

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Umbrella stands outside shopsUmbrellas left outside shops are rarely stolen. Similar clear umbrellas do get taken by mistake, though, so mark yours.

3. Thoughtful omotenashi service

Free water and hot towelsAt restaurants, water (or tea) and an oshibori towel arrive as soon as you sit down, a surprise for visitors from countries where water costs extra.

Beautiful depachika and free samplesDepartment store food halls display dishes and sweets like works of art, and some counters offer tastings.

Convenience stores that think of everythingBuy a bento and staff ask if you'd like it heated, and add chopsticks and a wet towel.

• Coin trays: in shops, money is placed on a tray rather than handed over, so both sides can check the amount.
• Splitting the bill: friends sometimes split the bill exactly, down to the last yen. At izakaya, though, one combined bill is the norm.
• Paid plastic bags: since 2020, plastic bags at convenience stores and supermarkets cost extra. Bring a tote.

4. Unique, deep culture

Gacha capsule toys adults loveIntricate miniatures and character capsule toys line the streets, and Akihabara and Ikebukuro have specialist shops with hundreds of machines.

High-tech toiletsBidet toilets and heated seats are everywhere, even in stations, convenience stores and department stores, free and spotless.

Shibuya's art toiletsTHE TOKYO TOILET project offers 17 public toilets in Shibuya designed by world-famous architects and creators. They starred in the film "Perfect Days".

• Departure jingles: each station plays its own melody before trains leave. Ebisu uses a tune from a famous beer ad, and Takadanobaba plays the Astro Boy theme.
• Helpful announcements: stations and department stores keep you informed about the next stop or floor, and major stations announce in English too.

5. Call buttons, and no tipping

• Call buttons: family restaurants and izakaya often have a button on the table that goes "ping-pong". Press it and staff come over, no shouting needed.
• No tipping: however great the service, you don't tip. Pay the menu price (prices usually include tax). Leave a tip and staff may chase after you thinking you forgot your change.

6. Where kids ride the train alone

In Japan, it's an everyday sight to see young children with randoseru school backpacks walking to school in small groups or riding the train alone. In many countries, letting a young child go out alone is seen as risky, so visitors are amazed.

Behind it is not just safety, but a culture where neighbors, station staff and passers-by quietly look out for children. A Japanese TV show about toddlers running their first errand became a global hit on streaming as "Old Enough!".

Why are these things "normal" in Japan?

• Respect for time: punctual trains reflect the idea of respecting everyone's time.
• Otagaisama: handing in lost items and lining up come from the feeling that "it could be me next time".
• Omotenashi: anticipating what a guest needs before they ask is seen as good service.

Frequently asked questions

Are Japanese trains really on time?

Almost always. A few minutes' delay brings an apology, and a railway once apologized for leaving about 20 seconds early.

Do lost items really come back in Japan?

Very often. In 2024, about 4.4 million lost items were handed in to Tokyo's police. If you lose something, ask at the last place you were or at the nearest koban.

Is water free at restaurants in Japan?

At almost all restaurants, water (or tea) and a wet towel are free.

Should I tip in Japan?

No. Just pay the menu price. Leaving a tip can even cause confusion.

Do I open the taxi door myself in Japan?

No. The driver opens and closes the rear door automatically.

Are Japanese toilets clean everywhere?

There are many free public toilets in stations, convenience stores, department stores and parks, and most are kept clean. Bidet toilets are common.

Official websites

• THE TOKYO TOILET
• Tokyo Metropolitan Police (English)
• Gashapon official site (Japanese)