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Common sights in Numazu |
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As Connie and I have biked and walked around town, we have noticed sights that seem unusual to the American eye. Yet they are common in Japan. See how things are different here. |
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Walking and riding a bicycle are much more common. Workers in suits, both men and women, ride to their destination. Students are not allowed to ride a bike to school until they are in high school. The shot to the left is a main street downtown, it is loaded with bikes parked for the shoppers. Most every one has a large front basket for groceries and supplies and a trap on the back. Bikes have fenders and chain covers.. Many ladys' bike have large cuff covers over the handlbars to keep the sun off the hands and forearms. Bikes have their own integraged locks and riders ride with the key in and remove the key to lock it. |
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If you can afford it, the next best transportation is a motor scooter. There are scooter lots at banks, stores and public lots around town. I have seen everything from old Lambretas to newer Honda cycles, yet there are few road bike "Hogs" seen or heard. |
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Walking is always acceptable transportation. Pedistrians have the right of way but are very courteous about waiting until the walk sign blinks and chimes. Women often use the umbrella to protect against the sun. It is both and umbrella and a parsol. |
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Outdoor workers dress like this. Even on hot days they have long sleeve dark shirts, baggy pants and the one toe shoe (jika tabi). The clothes protects the worker from the hot sun and seems very comfortable. The shoes are very common for all types of workers. |
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Local shops and markets |
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Above left : One of the many fruit markets. These are found on main and back streets. Fruits are much larger in size than we are used to.
Above right: These are all fresh vegatables. The boxes are brought out at 7 am each morning. These shops stay open until 7 or 8 pm. The owners usually live above in small apartments.
Left: Resturants often display available meals in the front window.The meals are created in beautifully done plastic replicas. If foreigners cannot read the menu, they just go out front and point at the choices. In the top left corner is a bottle of Coke along with other beverages. |
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Under the unusual but it works things in Japan category.:
No one in Japan uses credit cards or personal checks.. This is a cash society. When one has to authenticate a document or send a note he uses his persoanal stamp (hanko- personal seal). There is a general stamp used by everyone and a legally binding stamp that is stored in a safe place to be used on offical documents. Teachers and, I assume, workers, check in daily by stamping the corresponding date. My stamp is shown below. I must carry it everywhere and use it at the bank, school and places that need my signiture. |
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