Here are a few we noticed very quickly…
First off, everyone is EXTREMELY kind and respectful. We can’t understand the language, but each person we met made us feel pretty relaxed right away. They just smile at us, talk really fast, repeat themselves a lot, and continue to bow repeatedly. No handshakes, I feel like royalty! So, for making us feel so welcome, “Arigatou Gozaimasu!”
You can walk for blocks downtown and never find one. Frankly, it’s very annoying having to hold on to your trash all day!
The cars drive on the opposite side of the street, and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. These took some getting used to. My first time in a teammate’s car, I kept flinching as oncoming traffic flew by the “wrong” side. Tip: Do a double-take before crossing the street! Also, they ALWAYS back into parking spaces, not sure why.