If you have ever been outside your own country, you most likely have experienced some form of culture shock. In fact just visiting another city or town can make you aware of how things are done differently all over. In Japan, some things are so surprisingly different for foreigners that there is some uniformity in the shock value. Any Japanese with their eyes and ears open can be aware of what is most shocking to many foreigners. It is makes for fascinating conversation, “What is most surprising about Japan to foreigners? I heard…” This riveting subject matter prompts reflection, a moment of feeling good about one’s culture, sprinkled with the ability to and laugh at oneself.
Here is a list of 9 things foreigners experience when first visiting Japan (according to Japanese columnist Ryoko Kozakai over at Excite, at least):
Read More

The Ten Most Beautiful Tunnels in the World and Where You Can Find Them
Companies Japanese People are Most Proud of
The Secret Slang of Japanese Cabbies
Meet the Buildings Used by Millionaires, Statesmen … and Naked Bathers and a Ghibli Movie
New School Swimsuit in Japan is Conservative and Surprisingly Cute
Disney Villains Clean Up Well, Wow Japan
Oozing up From Below, Mysterious Marshmallow-like Substance Covers Nanjing Street
Beautiful Cosplay Girl is Actually Nerdy Guy
Saudi Arabian Reporter Floored by Things Japanese Take for Granted
When Two Amazing Worlds Collide: Welcome to the World of Cat Sushi!
We Made Coca-Cola Transparent and Colorless. It Tastes Like…
Chinese Woman on Trial for Killing Man by Squeezing His Scrotum
Crime of Passion: Three Men Forcibly Deported from Saudi Arabia for Being “Too Handsome”
Real-Life Barbie Gives Her Friends and Family a Makeover, Turns Them into Dolls
Peenzilla Worship! Japan’s Kanamara Festival Coming Up this April!
Chinese Student’s Bicycle Seat Breaks and… Gyah!
Kanagawa Junior High School Friends Set Out on an 80-Kilometer Adventure to Hakone by Skateboard 【Video】
Advice Corner: ‘My Wife Won’t Stop Saying “Boobs”‘
Japanese Performance Artist’s Balancing Act More Nerve-Wracking Than a Game of Jenga
Taiwanese Weather Reporting Idol Group to Take Japan’s Grueling National Weather Forecasting License Exam
Another Amazing Vending Machine From Japan! But This One’s No High-Tech Gadget
The Lowdown on Japan’s Cosplay Industry
The Best of the Best of Manga: Shonen Jump’s 20 Best Sellers of All-Time
Japan’s First “Cuddle Cafe” Lets You Sleep With a Stranger for $80/hr
In the Future Your Own Hand Will be Your Smartphone (With the Help of 5,000 Pounds of Terrifying Machinery)
Adobe and the Case of the Missing Chill Pill
Philip Kendall
Steven Simonitch
Master Blaster
Kay
Michelle Lynn Dinh
Jessica Ocheltree