japanese quirks

vending machines. i know it's common knowledge but the i didnt appreciate just how many of these things there are. it's staggering. they are quite literally on every street corner. and they are usually accompanied by a bin for recycling bottles and cans. a nice touch. smokes, beers, soft-drinks, tea, coffee, soups, batteries... the selection is endless. however, i am yet to see one selling underwear, new or used (maybe its an urban myth).

restrooms. do japanese people have weak bladders? or is the number of public restrooms a necessity resulting from mass consumption of beverages readily available at the above mentioned vending machines? each temple has at least three and each garden half a dozen. castles have almost as many toilets as towers and turrets. it's crazy!

smokers. restaurants and trains still have smoking sections. it seems like half the people i see on the streets have a durry in their hands. isn't this unusal for a people so mad about health and fitness? or is this phenomenon a mere reflection of their tolerance of other people's bad habits?

boxy cars. they are abhorrent looking things. small and ridiculously angular, even the vans and utes are tiny. given the narrow and winding nature of their streets, i can sympathise with the need for compact vehicles. but do they need to look like lego-mobiles?

pot plants. i love the little pot plants crowding the entrances and windows of japanese homes. they are all very well looked after and neat, complimenting the meticulously clean doorways and driveways. the japanese are a very neat people indeed!