Early Impressions on Japan

I have heard from many that everything is very expensive in Japan. As an exchange student with limited funding, my primary concern was Japan's high price index. To be somewhat financially prepared for Japan visit, I deposited enough amount of U.S. dollars in my Citibank debit card, which has been my daily life utility in America. And, these days in America, who prefers to bring cash on him. Credit card, or debit card in my case, is much more convenient and safer to bring.

However, it was not the case in Japan. There are only few places that accept credit card. People always bring cash with them even if they have credit cards as well. People tend to use cash to pay even when credit card is available. It seems that cash is preferred than credit card in Japanese culture.

With little cash in my hand for the first few days in Japan, I had to find the place to buy food at the cheapest price. I was somewhat successful in this. 99 yen shop was that. Like 99 cent shop in the U.S., not everything is 99 yen in this shop either. Yet, most items, including 2L water bottle and a bag of Doritos, are being sold at 99 yen.

Another interesting aspect of Japanese life is bicycle. Japan is a small country, so that there is not enough space for huge parking lots for cars. Transportation fee, such as train and bus ticket price, is also expensive. Perhaps, these and other reasons have contributed to Japanese culture to incorporate bicycle in daily life. At least in Hirakata city and Kansai region, where I stay, people riding on bicycle is a very common scene. Outside of most restaurants and shops, bicycle parking lots can be also easily found.