Growing up I was always told that we have so much to learn from Japan. I grew up during the boom of the Japanese car industry, I learned “Japanese” business tactics and I watched movies Gun Ho which portrayed discipline, perseverance and efficiency.
However, on my first trip to Japan, I wanted to explore the weird and wacky high-tech world that the media has so often portrayed. What I found was a place that is not as “high tech” as many Westerners think, but rather a relatively “low tech” plethora of conveniences that would make many Westerners envious.
-
My Internet: $13/7-day SIM card from Amazon and Airbnb-supplied portable Wi-Fi.
Jennifer Hahn
-
My Airbnb charging station (not all devices shown here).
Jennifer Hahn
-
Toilet technology: a highly competitive market. An airport toilet – noise maker (cultural embarrassment), bidet, … the works.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Simple things: disability care is everywhere. Most of the elevators I used had a wheelchair-height button.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Another expanded toilet in a Junior High School. Bidet, noisemaker and emergency button in each stable. Just no paper towels or hand dryers.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Japanese taxis all have white-gloved uniformed drivers and automatic door openers. However, they don’t come with GPS or credit card machines (and they don’t like change).
Jennifer Hahn
-
Sorry, you cannot fly your drones in Hiroshima parks. This permanent sign was adopted very quickly.
Jennifer Hahn
-
I dream of seeing bands on the NYC subways. They were removed in the 80’s (I’m short and can’t get to the bar). There are more than enough fastening straps here for everyone who fits on the tram. Side note: Trams in Hiroshima are recycled from around the world, many from Europe. Three survived World War II.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Vending machines on every corner, but no garbage cans anywhere (recycling only). It is considered rude to eat or drink on the street, but you can often find a seat near the vending machines.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Seismic Retrofit: I was told these are new stress supports on higher roads for earthquake safety.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Even spoon technology caught my eye: spoons designed not to fall in – how obvious.
Jennifer Hahn
-
More toilet technology: sanitary waste, no touch to open/close.
Jennifer Hahn
-
No need to waste bulky seat covers – just wash it with a cleaning spray.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Standard space saving/conservation in Japanese apartments: shower and sink are connected.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Simple but brilliant: pull roller up to remove, put new roller in place. No Rolly-Polly removable bars to fall out.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Child seat in toilet! This is needed everywhere.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Low-mounted hands-free door opener for disabled toilets (City Archives building).
Jennifer Hahn
-
Pay/validate or lose your undercarriage. These small plots (sometimes 1-2 spots) took up all the freely available real estate.
Jennifer Hahn
-
This vibrate strip ran across every sidewalk – it’s for the blind to get their bearings and it creates a cultural divide between bike and pedestrian. They are also in all airports, train and bus stations and are no fun with rolling suitcases.
Jennifer Hahn
-
High-rise parking garage: Rotating platform so you never have to back up the road after your car comes out of the elevator.
Jennifer Hahn
-
More toilet technology: sink runs when you flush (fresh water, of course).
Jennifer Hahn
-
Another toilet function (in airport hotel): sit on the seat and the bowl fills with water. A strange feeling indeed.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Narita Airport: What every airport toilet door should look like: a round door for easy entry, not an awkward open door to fight with your luggage. It felt like an elegant dance.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Hello, US airports! Barcode opens gate to plane – time-wasting human interaction is unnecessary for those who don’t need it.
Jennifer Hahn
-
All Nippon Airways (ANA): Cup “hole” der in airplane table, the best way to avoid spills.
Jennifer Hahn
-
Shuttle bus from Haneda to Narita: announcements, microphone, TV, music, mirrors, communication, gear shifting – there is nothing the driver cannot control from his console.
Jennifer Hahn
The first thing I noticed was the lack of “open” Wi-Fi before I left for Japan. My research found that free Wi-Fi had to be registered in most places before entering Japan; it is not ubiquitous. Despite the airports or the occasional restaurant or tourist site with free wifi, I found this to be true. Thankfully, my Airbnb provided me with a free mobile access point, and my $13 SIM card for my unlocked Blu Android phone filled the gaps.
Even though I was visiting Hiroshima, not Tokyo, I still expected to pay by credit card everywhere. This was not possible as taxis, public transport and most small restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards at all, so I found myself visiting the ATM more than once.
Despite those low-tech facts, the conveniences I sought didn’t disappoint: from delightful auto-opening taxi doors to parking lot technology, disability and safety technology, conservation and cleanliness, and advanced toilet technology – I was impressed. These relatively minor conveniences not only impressed me, but they were all in working condition (not what I’m used to in NYC).
We may not need restroom noisemakers, and filthy NYC subway tracks have proven we do doing need public bins, but there is so much simple and creative “technology” that we can certainly continue to learn from Japanese culture.
Frame image by Jennifer Hahn