What do expensive melons, friendly residents and clean toilets have in common?
They’re all things you’ll find in Japan, according to the American expat currently living on the island of Okinawa.
In a TikTok — which has been viewed more than 5 million times — Courtney Ramirez outlines “10 things that put me in a ‘coma’ as an American living in Japan.”
Some of the topics the Michigan native tackles include food etiquette, pricing, cleanliness and friendliness, and how Japan compares to the US. Scroll down to see some of her fascinating insights.
In a TikTok — which has been viewed more than 5 million times — Courtney Ramirez outlines “10 things that put me in a ‘coma’ as an American living in Japan”
Some of the topics the Michigan native addresses include food etiquette, pricing, cleanliness and friendliness, and how Japan compares to the US.
1. Foods have different values than at home
The TikToker says that fruits are very expensive in Japan and as an example a watermelon can cost up to $30.
Meanwhile, fried chicken is considered a holiday food, and sushi and seafood are “cheap as hell,” compared to America, where they’re considered a luxury.
2. Children are very independent
In Japan, says Courtney, you often see very young children out and about alone, but there’s no cause for concern.
She explains, “You will see a four-year-old on the street and I promise you that the four-year-old knows how to grow up better than you do.
“I promise … he’ll be fine.”
3. Nobody steals cars
Theft is so rare in Japan, Courtney says, that car dealers leave keys in unlocked vehicles.
She says this is a great benefit because when you rent or buy a car, you don’t need a dealer to look at the car because it’s already unlocked…because nobody’s going to steal a goddamn car here. Crazy right?’
4. VERY clean public toilets
While public restrooms in the US can be hit and miss, Courtney says Japan’s bathrooms are the cleanest she’s ever seen.
Even the toilets in the 7-Eleven are sparkling, she reveals, and “probably cleaner than your bathroom at home.”
While public toilets in the US can be hit and miss, Courtney says Japan’s bathrooms are the cleanest she’s ever seen
Instead of meeting a receptionist or host at a restaurant, Courtney says that in Japan 90 percent of the time, “you’ll have to check in with a machine.”
5. Gas stations serve great food
Another thing that surprised Courtney after moving to Japan was the quality of the food at gas stations.
She informs viewers, “Gas station shops have the best food ever.
“You want to eat, you’re hungry and you’re on your way… you can probably grab some food at the gas station and you won’t shit your pants afterwards.”
6. The friendliest locals
While it can be hard to make friends in new countries, Courtney says she’s had no problem in Japan, where she’s met “the friendliest people ever.”
She says, “Literally, the locals here are the friendliest. Whether they understand you or not, they will approach you, they will interact with you.
“They’re not trying to kidnap you, they’re not going to ask you for money, they’re just going to sit next to you… You’re just going to watch the sunset together, this literally happened to me.”
7. Parking designed for mothers with sleeping babies
Oddly enough, Courtney reveals that Japan has “literally designated parking spaces for moms with sleeping babies in the car.”
This is so that the mothers can go in, “do a quick shopping and leave their child in the car, because no one is going to take their child, because the society in Japan has just decided to protect their children.”
8. Everyone should recycle waste
According to Courtney, the recycling rules in Japan are very strict and she says ‘if you don’t separate your waste [into] they don’t take waste and recyclables with them.’
She adds, “They care about the environment here, okay, so they want waste segregated.”
9. Restaurants have check-in machines
Instead of meeting a receptionist or host at a restaurant, Courtney says that 90 percent of the time in Japan, “you’ll have to check in with a machine.”
She says this can be tricky at times as not all machines have English and “sometimes you guess” what the different buttons mean.
The American advises viewers to use Google translate on their phones to decipher instructions and menus.
10. The quality of the food is excellent
Compared to America, Courtney says the food in Japan is “insanely better.”
She muses, “I smell food in the US and I get sick. Here I can eat anything and everything and feel like a million bucks afterwards. No wonder this place literally has the lowest percentage of obese and the longest living people.’