Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Asia > Japan
Reload this Page >

The 'random questions about Japan' thread

The 'random questions about Japan' thread

Old Aug 20, 2013, 8:14 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,131
The 'random questions about Japan' thread

Thought I'd open up a topic where people could ask all sorts of quick questions without having to open new threads or excavate old ones just for a short query. If this thread picks up then we might consider turning it into some sort of mini-FAQ of the weirdest questions out there...

To kick-off, here are a few short questions of my own:

1. I know Japan is a no-tipping country for the most part, but does this also apply to cabs or do they expect the fare to be rounded up for instance?

2. Do convenience stores like 7-11 sell beer? Any cut-off times for stores that operate 24/7?

3. Is drinking in public legal, as in going for a walk whilst sipping on a cold can of Asahi?
aster is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 8:23 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 1,658
There's no tipping, even in cabs. That being said, they don't mind if you round up the fare.

They sell tons of liquor and there's no cut-off. It's legal to drink pretty much anywhere in public, although you might get a few weird looks walking around drinking in the afternoon (or morning, if one starts that early).
acregal is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 9:07 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Originally Posted by aster
3. Is drinking in public legal, as in going for a walk whilst sipping on a cold can of Asahi?
Japanese think it is bad manner to walk and eat/drink at the same time. Some people eat or drink what they just bought right by the convenience stores/vending machines near the trash bins. Another problem is that trash bins are non existent on the streets.
msb0b is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 11:25 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
Programs: meltdowngraded from "F" and "C" , Accor Plt, BW Dia, ihg G, UA 0.9999MM
Posts: 1,569
Originally Posted by msb0b
Japanese think it is bad manner to walk and eat/drink at the same time. Some people eat or drink what they just bought right by the convenience stores/vending machines near the trash bins. Another problem is that trash bins are non existent on the streets.
Good point. I traveled in Europe this summer and I noticed they have much more transh bins on the streets than in Japan. In Japan, where can we find trash bins? Convenience stores, yes. Stations, a little, you have to look for them. Parks, some don't have them at all. Campus, yes.

However, I rarely see broken bottles on the street. In some places in Europe, I saw them every 5 minutes.
O Sora is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 12:33 pm
  #5  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Tokyo - along with other cities - has removed trash cans in part to prevent acts of terrorism:

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/pol...ash-cans/5306/

Robyn
robyng is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 12:41 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,603
London tackles the problem head on with a system of constantly circulating trash cans, popularly known as The Tube.
jib71 is online now  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 2:30 pm
  #7  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Quick question - apart from just walking around at random - what can we do early Sunday morning (it's our first full day in Tokyo - and I assume we'll be up very early). Our hotel is near Tokyo Station. I plan to go to the Harajuku/Omotesando Hills area that day. I suspect there isn't much going on in either area early Sunday morning. Perhaps I'm wrong? Food markets - people watching - whatever is ok. Robyn

BTW aster - good idea for a thread IMO. Robyn
robyng is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2013, 10:22 pm
  #8  
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,837
Originally Posted by acregal
There's no tipping, even in cabs. That being said, they don't mind if you round up the fare.

They sell tons of liquor and there's no cut-off. It's legal to drink pretty much anywhere in public, although you might get a few weird looks walking around drinking in the afternoon (or morning, if one starts that early).
Except only liquor stores can sell hard liquor by the bottle and most of them are not open 24 hours.

Also, I've never run into a taxi driver who would understand what it meant to "round up" the fare. Maybe if you can speak Japanese, you can get them to keep the change.
RichardInSF is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 12:40 am
  #9  
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
Except only liquor stores can sell hard liquor by the bottle and most of them are not open 24 hours.
I've seen plenty of convenience stores that sell whisky, vodka, and other hard liquors by the bottle.
armagebedar is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 1:56 am
  #10  
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,837
Originally Posted by armagebedar
I've seen plenty of convenience stores that sell whisky, vodka, and other hard liquors by the bottle.
I hadn't -- but I believe you, so I guess it's changed since I last noticed.
RichardInSF is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 2:11 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: NH Plat
Posts: 652
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
I hadn't -- but I believe you, so I guess it's changed since I last noticed.
Yep, convenience stores sell hard liquor, as do supermarkets, department stores, or even online or from the occasional vending machines in little bottles with. So it's really not just specialist liquor stores. You can buy hard liquor 24 hours a day by the bottle from convenience stores and from some supermarkets and Donkis.

Originally Posted by aster
3. Is drinking in public legal, as in going for a walk whilst sipping on a cold can of Asahi?
There's a loose group of retired men in my neighbourhood that spend their weekends sitting on benches near a 7-11 drinking all day. They are quite chatty and loud, sometimes the local police sit and talk with them and they don't seem to mind the public drinking. There's also plenty of drinking in parks, so it doesn't seem to be illegal in many public places. On the other hand, walking round and sipping a beer, especially in an onsen, might well get you angry looks.
BalbC is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 5:26 am
  #12  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Originally Posted by armagebedar
I've seen plenty of convenience stores that sell whisky, vodka, and other hard liquors by the bottle.
I've bought gin in department store food basements. Robyn
robyng is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 8:38 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
Programs: meltdowngraded from "F" and "C" , Accor Plt, BW Dia, ihg G, UA 0.9999MM
Posts: 1,569
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
I hadn't -- but I believe you, so I guess it's changed since I last noticed.
One lisence covers all kinds of alcohol beverages. Typically, convenient stores don't sell larger hard liquor bottles. This is because of space restriction. In some cities like Sapporo or Fukuoka, however, they display more bottles to accommodate the needs of the business persons staying at nearby hotels. I have once seen a bottle of Hakushu whiskey sold in Fukuoka.
O Sora is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 8:46 am
  #14  
KPT
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: HND
Programs: JAL Sapphire
Posts: 542
Originally Posted by robyng
I've bought gin in department store food basements. Robyn
But those are essentially small versions of the actual stores -- and you have to be near a huge department store. If you're in the middle of nowhere and you need your fix, Famima's got your back

Then again, Famima's not going to let you test-taste whatever's in the cup sake. You can, however, sample quite a bit in the basement of, say, Takashimaya.
KPT is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2013, 9:05 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,603
Originally Posted by KPT
Then again, Famima's not going to let you test-taste whatever's in the cup sake.
The guys drinking their one-cups outside might let you taste if you ask nicely.
jib71 is online now  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.