More things from Japan(kind of a list)

1. Portable ashtrays. Really. People have it on keychains, or its the other half of the cigarette case. Then they dump it in the burnable trash. I got one for my brother in law. I should promote these in America.
2. Smoking booths, tents, chambers. Cool. I see most of these at the bigger subway or train stations. I saw a tent in Marinoa shopping outlet too.
3. Vans that do the advertising for you. In the cases I've seen, they were for people running for office.
4. Celebrities doing shows. Like you'll see the same comedian on a game show, variety show, talk show, and then a drama all in one week. Oh and they're also in commercials. You won't see George Clooney doing that.
5. Celebrities having fun. Most American celebrities show themselves when they want to look good, like fundraisers or something. Those are cool, but then they look like they never have fun.
5a. Celebrities on smart game shows. This is where they compete in things like knowledge in school subjects to what is the kanji or whatever. They're not afraid of not getting the answer. American celebrities are too afraid of looking dumb. Except for Britney.
6. Man-bags. And I mean very nice brands like Dolce and Gabbana, Coach, Gucci....
7. Nice shopping bags used as giant purses.
8. No paper towels or even hand-dryers in bathrooms.
9. And all the water is cold. No hot water.
10. No trash cans on the street. Also No trash on the street.
11. After you purchase something, Shopkeepers take your bag, escort you out, then bow real deep as you leave.
12. To try on clothes, you have to try it on over your own. Mostly shirts and jackets, I haven't tried on pants. haha
13. It's not strange to order a beer 11:00am with your lunch. Cool.
14. Pachinko bars are everywhere. They even have one named after Winter Sonata, the korean drama.
15. Most stores have more than two floors. Tower Records has 7, An electronic store has 12, One clothing store I went to has 5, and this one Dept store has 8. But they are all narrow.
16. Almost everyone has an mp3 player in their pocket. I think thats why I fit in a little.
17. I barely hear anyone honk at each other.
18. more than one bus stops at the same stop. so it gets confusing even to the residents where each bus goes.
19. If someone japanese speaks to you in English, speak back in English. They love it and then when you compliment them, most blush. I talked to a nice lady and she was happy when I told her her English was good.
20. I got 10 things of tissue in one walk to my school. I also got a giant cheese puff.
21. japanese girls are easy to approach and nice. Not as intimidating as the women in America. Some asked my friend to sing karaoke for them. funny.
22. Police officers are very nice here. they even give you rides if you're lost. i saw a kid get a ride from a cop to the subway station.
23. Umbrellas are left in front of stores, post offices, and some subway stops for people to borrow. And yes people return them.
24. You better slurp your ramen. They think something is wrong if you don't. I'm still learning.
25. I returned a phone i found in the bathroom. all the clerks thanked me. All of them. wow.
26. 24 hour udon shops, also internet cafes. people use these when they miss the last train or are waiting for the first train. Though the food is really good too. I'm looking for a 24 hour ramen place.
27. Cell phone accessories are huge. At the Loft, half of one floor had different things for the phones. cases, stickers, straps.
28. I've only seen the young couples hold hands

That's it again for now. I do have to mention this sushi place, Hyootan. It has the revolving sushi with four sushi chefs behind the bar. It was so good. And cheap. What I usually get in the states for 50 to 60 dollars, I got for 2500yen. NICE!! plus it's all you can drink green tea. The fish was fresh and they had it all, Sea Urchin, maguro, eel, salmon, roe, on and on. It's on bottom floor in the Solaria Plaza. I highly recommend it.