Daily Life

There are some things about Japan that never really come up in discussion, but that affect your daily life. This is not a list of complaints, just some necessary adjustments if you're coming from America:

• The bathrooms (almost) never have towels or hand-dryers. This is great because it saves energy and creates less trash. But until you remember to buy a little handkerchief or washcloth, which the Japanese carry at all times, your pants are gonna get wet.
• Most public restrooms are ceramic holes in the ground. No seats. Using these successfully requires enough skill to go on a resume.
• No dryers. You develop an intimate relationship with your clothes and their (lack of) wrinkle-free abilities. As a result, the iron becomes one of your most prized possessions.
• No dishwashwer. You develop an intimate relationship with your plates and silverware. You also become much more conscious of how much water you use, especially hot water.
• Futons must be de-humidified. This involves hauling your little mattress through the apartment to the balcony, where you flop half of it over the railing without allowing the whole thing to jump ship. Then you clip it to the railing with giant, giant, plastic pins, leave in sun for 3+ hours et voila. Fresh bedding.