Tokyo Local Custom Tips by stmlnyc

There are pachinko parlors spread all over Japan.

Don't know what the attraction is but the game is a blend of a slot machine and pingball...you get rewarded with ball bearings which are redeemed for prizes. The government don't want to call this gambling but its darn close by the looks of the addicts there. Office workers would go there during their lunch breaks. Seems that, Londoners to the the local pub during lunch while Tokyoites
go to the pachinko parlor.

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Some observations of the local Japanese: Business casual hasn't caught on here, most salarymen dress in conservative blue or gray suits. Women seem to have
excessive downtime, the vast majority of shoppers in Ginza and Shinjuku are women and the stores reflect and cater to them...how many shoe stores does a city need? Cellphone penetration is extremely high, not
unusual to have >2 mobiles.
Catnaps on the train are common, heated cushioned seats and smooth rides make
it all the more accomodating.
Shoppers, especiallywomen love Louis
Vuitton products--from handbags, umbrellas, hats, etc.

I'll say over 90% of Tokyo women have some hair coloring done, while the number for men is alarmingly high as well. Was told that since hair coloring is seen as a rite of passage as it is prohibited when attending school. It is more uncommon to see a Japanese adult with his/her natural hair color.

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In the free entry parks, you'll probably notice the homeless men mostly between the ages of 40 and 60...too young to collect a pension and too old to work for whatever reason.

I have yet to see one begging or acting belligerent. Most seem quite clean, no doubt using the clean public toilets and washrooms.

You can spot their 'home' and belongings covered in a blue tarp.

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You get can almost anything through vending machines in Japan and probably go through a whole day without having to speak to anyone.

And I've never had any problems (such as wrong items, wrong change, unaccepted bills) with them.

One thing I don't understand (in the picture) is why the larger can of Coke the same price as the smaller ones?

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