What We Found Most Interesting In Japan

I guess one of the first things you notice when entering Japan is the toilets. I know it's weird, but when you gotta go, you gotta go! There are a few things which make them unlike any we've seen before. First, in some places, the toilet is basically a urinal on the floor! You squat over it (make sure your clothing is out of the way!) and do your business. Sometimes the mechanism to flush is a button on the floor that you step on, sometimes on the wall. Needless to say this is an emergency use for us only! It certainly isn't the cleanest, and Stephanie and Dee I think of you everytime I see one of these because I know you two would be mortified over the cleanliness and odor! The other thing is that in many public restrooms there isn't any toilet paper; you always carry tissues in your purse/pocket for times such as these! The second unusual thing is the regular toilet seats (in most stores, homes, hotels, etc) are heated and have the option at the touch of a button for a bidet and what they call a "shower"(this is a bidet for your rear end). It does take some getting used to but, in my opinion, is something the United States needs to adopt in their toilets. The Japanese don't always provide soap or paper towels for washing. There is usually a sink, but that is it. The Japanese carry around a "towel" with them for times like these and also wiping sweat from their brow.

I guess this wraps it up for today. I will try and share more tomorrow!