The low-tech side of Japan

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Toilet tech: a most competitive market. An airport toilet noise-maker (cultural shyness), bidet,... the works.

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Simple things: disability assistance is everywhere. Most elevators I used, had a wheelchair height button.

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Japanese taxis all come with white gloved drivers in uniform and automatic door openers. However, they don’t come with GPS or credit card machines (and they don’t like to make change).

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Vending machines on every corner, but no garbage cans anywhere (only recycling). It is considered rude to eat or drink on the street, but you can often find a seat near the vending machines.

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Even spoon tech caught my eye: spoons designed not to fall in how obvious.

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More restroom tech: sanitary waste, no touch to open/close.

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No need for large seat cover waste, just wash it with spray cleaner.

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Simple yet brilliant: pull roll up to remove, put new roll up in its place. No rolly polly removable bars that can fall out.

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Baby seat in restroom! Shut the front door!! This is needed all over.

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Low set hands free door opener for disabled restroom (in City Archives building).

(Enlarge)

Pay/validate or lose your undercarriage. These little lots (sometimes 1 to 2 spots) took up any free real estate available.

(Enlarge)

This rumble strip went down every sidewalk, it's for the blind to get their bearings, and it creates a cultural bike/pedestrian divide. They are also in all airports, train and bus stations and are not fun with rolling suitcases.

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Hi rise parking garage: rotating platform so you never have to back out into the road after your car returns from the elevator.

(Enlarge)

More toilet tech: sink runs when you flush (fresh water, of course).

(Enlarge)

Another toilet function (in airport hotel): sit on the seat and bowl fills with water. A strange feeling indeed.

(Enlarge)

Narita airport: what every airport restroom door should look like: a rounded door to ease you in, no clumsy open in door to fight with your luggage. It felt like an elegant dance.

(Enlarge)

All Nippon Airways (ANA): Cup “hole”der in airplane tray table, the best way to prevent spills.

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Haneda to Narita shuttle bus: announcements, mic, TV, music, mirrors, comms, gear shift there is nothing the driver can’t control from his console.

+1131

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Submitted:	08/15/2015

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[ 127 comments ]

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74 comments displayed.

+398

#3 - nanglo ONLINE (08/15/2015) [-]

The baby seat one

+153

#43 to #3 - xXCorpitoXx ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

+33

#76 to #43 - itrinx (08/16/2015) [-]

#75 to #43 - Spitfirex (08/16/2015) [-]

***** u need to take you drawls off

#93 to #43 - kwanzalord (08/16/2015) [-]

you got me with that one

+67

#4 - yunoknow (08/15/2015) [-]

OP, did you weird out any locals taking so many toilet photos?

+108

#20 to #4 - thatonesouthernkid (08/15/2015) [-]

he gave the asians a taste of their own medicine.

#18 - chikibriki (08/15/2015) [-]

>lose your undercarriage

+42

#19 to #18 - chikibriki (08/15/2015) [-]

i'd like to see them try

+22

#32 to #19 - wazoowonseventeen (08/16/2015) [-]

sorry about your penis bro

+16

#64 to #32 - containlettersonly (08/16/2015) [-]

I need the ground clearance cause it's so large

#103 to #64 - wazoowonseventeen (08/16/2015) [-]

haven't heard that one before

-2

#50 to #32 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

faggot

+49

#24 - anon (08/15/2015) [-]

Oh god nostalgia hit me so hard I went to Japan and my brother(giant 6'4" black guy with dreads) tried to close the door but because it was automatic it just snapped back, rather then realize what was wrong he made 2-3 more attempts to close it even harder nearly ripped the door off.

The driver not wanting to be impolite and say something was just waving his white gloved hands back and forth with a "please stop" look on his face not a single complaint even after.

I felt so horrible for the guy were made fun of my brother for like a month after that.

+162

#8 - vladi ONLINE (08/15/2015) [-]

"And this is why the Japanese are superior and anime is the best art style ever" -random weeaboo

#78 to #8 - khally (08/16/2015) [-]

I dont get why OP is amazed by some of the things there, I mean, I've seen them in eastern eurpoe where I live, wat.

#88 to #78 - willgum (08/16/2015) [-]

well I assume OP is from murica and in murica out infrastructure is **** so alot of these simple things just kinda don't happen also in general businesses ignore bathroom related technology

#27 to #8 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

It's the truth

#74 to #8 - shmengels (08/16/2015) [-]

I think japans pretty awesome, though a bit conservative in their cultural styles (not by american political means) have a unique yet functioning society, a very rich history, and anime is still mostly trash. Not the greatest but a pretty darn cool place.

+10

#67 to #8 - thepizzadevourer (08/16/2015) [-]

Only person I see saying that is you

#65 to #8 - meganinja (08/16/2015) [-]

>>#60, There are a lot of pros to Japan even if you aren't a weaboo. I've been enthralled with Japan since the 2011 tsunami after seeing how the community came together to help each other.

+43

#60 to #8 - infinitereaper (08/16/2015) [-]

$They are an island nation with a tiny fraction of landmass of most top world countries, almost no natural resources to speak of, yet they world's 3rd largest GDP. Japan, though certainly not without it's fault, is still a ******* amazing country that deserves, recognition and respect at the very least. I'd say they are quite admirable. I also find it pretty ****** up that I'm not allowed to say so just because I like anime, an Japanese video games/franchises. Which a lot of people like by the way. Pokemon, Metal Gear, Dark Souls, Nintendo it's all ******* Japanese. Japan has given the world lots of cool things, like tentacle hentai and science contributions. Their economic policies are also pretty damn cool, and their conglomerate structure gives a beautiful example of the power of economies of scale. Also, they have shorter women on average, whose breasts have been growing in size on average for several decades.$

They are an island nation with a tiny fraction of landmass of most top world countries, almost no natural resources to speak of, yet they world's 3rd largest GDP.

Japan, though certainly not without it's fault, is still a ******* amazing country that deserves, recognition and respect at the very least. I'd say they are quite admirable.

I also find it pretty ****** up that I'm not allowed to say so just because I like anime, an Japanese video games/franchises. Which a lot of people like by the way. Pokemon, Metal Gear, Dark Souls, Nintendo it's all ******* Japanese. Japan has given the world lots of cool things, like tentacle hentai and science contributions.
Their economic policies are also pretty damn cool, and their conglomerate structure gives a beautiful example of the power of economies of scale.

Also, they have shorter women on average, whose breasts have been growing in size on average for several decades.

#96 to #60 - dislikinator ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

I fully agree.
When people acuse me of being a 'weeaboo', I tell them that there are four things about japan that I admire independantly:

1. Modern day culture and progression, especially in the field of electronics, but also in how clean everything in big cities is and how efficient the modern day society works. You can say 'the business side of present day Japan'. The average delay of a train in Japan is 12 seconds! 3rd highest internet speeds worlwide! They had an SMS e-mail hybrid that was far superior to ours until 2006, where it started to merge. You also know those ridiculous gadgets that we make fun of? The fact that these were even licenced doesn't show that 'japan's messed up', but that Japan isn't affraid of trying (*kuch* Obama). All of these things are what a (relatively) small, independant rich and progressive nation can accomplish. Imagine if the Netherlands wasn't bound by the EU.

2. Almost all of my favorite cartoons are anime (cartoon in this context is 'any animated form of film'). The only three cartoons that aren't anime in my top 20 are The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Futurama and South Park. The same goes for comics: I have a huge comic collection, and 70% of that is manga. The rest are franco-belgian comics that have been in the family for a while, which I also love. Gaston in amazing. I love the stories, I love how polite people act in Japan, I love how 'mature' means 'discussing things that clearly aren't suited for childeren, like the ethics of murder or sex' rather than ' ******** of violence'.

3. I love the language. It looks cool, it sounds cool, it's relatively easy to learn and you can convey much more information in a small period of time. It's also a great language to sing in in any style, from rap to country to metal to opera, simply because of how the language works. It also brings you a whole way with chinese.

4. Ancient Japan, mostly the social and religious part of it. This can simply be explained with 'I also love ancient greek mythology'. I visited the temples in greek and I plan on going to Kyoto in the future for the same thing.

(and 5. I like the food. Miso is heaven).

I cannot really agree that the breast size is growing, though, since 0 x something = still 0

#105 to #96 - daentraya (08/16/2015) [-]

how easy is japanese to learn? i have a friend learning chinese and he seems to think that learning languages is super easy for anyone to do and that obviously i can totally learn an easy language like japanese yada yada and i really quite like the language and the contents written in it, but really, if you dont have actual classes for it, is it even feasible?

#119 to #105 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

Your friend is correct (though he sounds like a douche). Literally anyone can learn a language because it only takes rote memorization. The amount of effort and free time you spend learning it will determine how quickly you will learn it. The fact that you have a source of practice (anime) that you enjoy will help you immensely when practicing reading. Listening is relatively harder for most people but your anime interest will help you with that as well. Speaking will be difficult to practice and takes much more effort if you're not in an environment where you're forced to use it.

In terms of relative difficulty, Japanese is one of the hardest languages for native English speakers to learn. But don't let that discourage you, because difficulty is all relative. It is not as difficult as Chinese though, because Japanese uses an alphabet system. If you enjoy it and have a passion to learn it, it will only be a matter of time before you see yourself getting better at it. You should expect at least six months to a year before you're reading anime with only slight difficulty.

#120 to #119 - daentraya (08/16/2015) [-]

hm. i dont consider myself unskilled at learning things i really want, but if cant dedicate a stupendous amount of time on it, and wont be having physical actual classes, wont that just make it a bit way difficult? even so, where'd one even find proper learning materials and and..
the main reason i want to learn japanese isnt really for anything useful, i would just love to think in that language. i love the sound and intonations possible, and the whole anime deal has probably only added plenty to that. no other language i know of seems to unfold itself in such a broad rainbow of expressions and sound

#124 to #120 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

There are thousands of curriculums out there and everyone has their own learning style. Google is the best place to start. I can't recommend one, and its best for you to find one that suits your learning style.

Just an FYI it will take you a very long time before you are able to or even want to think in Japanese. That requires an almost native level of fluency. You don't have to devote stupendous amounts of time to it. And actual classes dont even help much, as college level courses focus heavily on high level grammar and mechanics. Just make it a hobby, spend a couple hours a day learning new words, practicing writing sentences in proper format, and reviewing grammar rules and you'll be fine. You just have to accept the fact that it is going to take some time and requires a lot of repitition. Also, you are going to have to find some forums or a near native level speaker who will be able to help you translate and understand idiomatic phrases as they won't translate literally. I am sure your animes will be filled with idioms and cultural references you will not be able to understand without the help of a native.

Personally, I would start by learning the alphabet, learning the basic grammar (such as subject-verb-object order), and jump right in to translating some animes. It will be slow going and you're not going to understand anything at first, but keep it up and you'll get the hang of it in a few months.

#125 to #124 - daentraya (08/16/2015) [-]

nergh. i want to, kinda. maybe i should wait, im already trying to learn spanish, i should really get that polished up real nice before i spend its time on something else

yeah, it must have taken me.. like 5 years to begin thinking in english from when i learned it, and thats with a language i used a whole lot and is similarly germanic. but its like the one main thing i want from it. i dont care about much about watching or reading in original languages, i just want those sounds in my head, all the time weoighwegew
is it a stupid wish? it sounds stupid

#68 to #60 - paraigon (08/16/2015) [-]

This ******* guy

-2

#73 to #60 - twofreegerbils (08/16/2015) [-]

Japan is not a "tiny fraction" of landmass.

#77 to #73 - pokemonstheshiz (08/16/2015) [-]

Relatively so to many countries of similar economic stature though. US is about 20x bigger, for instance, and France is 2x as large

+28

#34 to #8 - talpss (08/16/2015) [-]

You gotta admit, they have pretty neat infastructure.

+26

#7 - bluesuckscyan ONLINE (08/15/2015) [-]

but theres a garbage can there

-12

#11 to #7 - anon (08/15/2015) [-]

that's a garbage bin

He meant can as in soda can aka one of those things inside the vending machine

+11

#30 to #11 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

"but no garbage cans anywhere (only recycling)"
Ah I see the soda cans recycle themselves.

#12 to #7 - kiaserzerg (08/15/2015) [-]

recycling bin

#17 to #7 - christopherd (08/15/2015) [-]

That is for recycling only!
But, many use it for non-recyclable trash because where the hell else are you going to throw away your garbage? (you're supposed to dispose of garbage at your own home, but come on)

+20

#51 - arkadia (08/16/2015) [-]

ive never realized that I dont recall having ever seen a disabled asian

#80 to #51 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

hang over 2, vietnam war vets, asian-american vets(specifically those in the wounded warrior program), that one kid in Rumble in the Bronx with Jackie Chan where the bad guy hides diamonds in the crip's seat cushion, special ed asians at your school, any of those PSAs that happen to have an asian or two with severe birth defects, obese asians in a motor scooter, elderly asians who are no longer capable of walking.

+34

#5 - mankey (08/15/2015) [-]

They say it's for the disabled when it's really just so the average Japanese person doesn't have to stand on tip toes to press the button.

+10

#36 - Inoobkillme (08/16/2015) [-]

Too bad not all the toilets in Japan are like that.

#47 to #36 - sanitarysan ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

i think that is a female urinal

#53 to #47 - alexithymic (08/16/2015) [-]

Pretty sure it's just their traditional toilets. Not everywhere always had western toilets. Don't quote me, it has been extremely long since I had to ask about those.

#54 to #53 - bigbonew (08/16/2015) [-]

Actually it's pretty nice to **** in these traditional toilets... **** just flows out naturally... And after some using one also figures out out to stay comfortable in that position

#109 to #54 - icewraithking (08/16/2015) [-]

yes, because squatting is the natural form of ******** , not sitting like other country does.

Pic for reference

#56 to #36 - damson (08/16/2015) [-]

How the **** ...

#66 to #56 - theblackhorntail ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

You squat

+32

#10 - kurtlanglie (08/15/2015) [-]

I swear, Japan is just one giant theme park that people live in.

#83 to #10 - vymastenaochechula ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

the theme is sanitation

+11

#15 to #10 - christopherd (08/15/2015) [-]

No it is not!
Source for my claim: I live here
The "theme park" idea is just the most conveniently exported image of the country.
Have a good one.

#86 - leonhardt (08/16/2015) [-]

Man those japs sure know how to ****

#55 - skeletorexplains ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

I am rather shy when i'm on the toilet, I can't poop if i can hear people outside because i don't want them to know how well i'm poopin'

So i want someone to invent (or at least make it at least available to the common folk) A Soundproof toilet.

Like, no one can hear anything going on in the bowl. Poop farts n all.

#62 to #55 - anon (08/16/2015) [-]

Valid here, why did you block me??

#63 to #62 - skeletorexplains ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

i can't remember. want an unblock? (Full username please)

#79 to #63 - ipaintmyfloor (08/16/2015) [-]

>>#61

#82 to #79 - skeletorexplains ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

Done Valid, Sorry aboot that.

#89 to #55 - alstorp (08/16/2015) [-]

Same, I don't know if it's a shyness thing, I just don't want people to have to listen to this outside the door

#59 to #55 - navadae (08/16/2015) [-]

on the ******* , no one can hear you scream

-1

#102 to #59 - thefates (08/16/2015) [-]

#9 - therealtjthemedic (08/15/2015) [-]

A lot of these things aren't that strange. idk.

#72 - bakagaijin (08/16/2015) [-]

Japan is marvelous place....

#111 to #72 - icewraithking (08/16/2015) [-]

inb4, i presume the manufacturer is ferrari[spoiler] [spoiler] i actually cant differentiate from the picture, since i cant see some remarkable distinctions they sue him for painting his car in that

www.youredm.com/2015/01/29/deadmau5-purrari-follow-lamborghini-purracan/
www.youredm.com/2014/08/27/ferrari-sent-deadmau5-cease-desist-letter-purrari/
thesupercarkids.com/ferrari-takes-legal-action-against-deadmau5-purrari-458/

#126 to #111 - bakagaijin (08/16/2015) [-]

It's a lambo... I saw it while I was walking down the main street in akihabara close to the JR line... I'm assuming lambo can't do jack **** if you bought the car... Deadmau5 probably leased it

#123 to #111 - rollfourexplain (08/16/2015) [-]

**rollfourexplain used "*roll 1, 0000-9999*"**
**rollfourexplain rolls 4,214**

I don't understand why Ferrari would do that. Even just sending a Cease and Desist letter does not give them any legal power unless they have the right to enforce it. Do Ferraris come with an EULA or something?

Also I don't understand why "custom floor matts" or "custom purrari badges" would be a problem for Ferrari.

#94 - vampired (08/16/2015) [-]

> don't like to make change
> it's rude to leave a tip
come on and slam and welcome to Japan

#104 to #94 - Compootor (08/16/2015) [-]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiy2AV43gZo

#85 - herecomesjohnny (08/16/2015) [-]

You don't need a motion detector to open a garbage can, they invented the foot pedal thing ages ago come on

#115 to #85 - elektra ONLINE (08/16/2015) [-]

Hmm a man.
If you are sitting on the toilet seat changing your pad,holding one bloody pad in one before you can get up or put on the fresh one, you will know the difference.
Btw, we have most of these craps in singapore too

#84 - theguywhoaskswhy (08/16/2015) [-]

Why have one button at wheelchair height and another at able bodied height?
Why not just have one ******* button at wheelchair height, its not like the able bodied cant just reach the **** down.

#35 - huedekaiser (08/16/2015) [-]

#100 - misssmandy (08/16/2015) [-]

#99 - soldiertwo (08/16/2015) [-]

its 2015 this **** should be EVERYWHERE!
WHY CAN'T WE HAVE AWESOME THINGS LIKE THESE?!

#106 to #99 - hwaraam (08/16/2015) [-]

we are all poor

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The low-tech side of Japan

Toilet tech: a most competitive market. An airport toilet noise-maker (cultural shyness), bidet,... the works.

Simple things: disability assistance is everywhere. Most elevators I used, had a wheelchair height button.

Japanese taxis all come with white gloved drivers in uniform and automatic door openers. However, they don’t come with GPS or credit card machines (and they don’t like to make change).

Vending machines on every corner, but no garbage cans anywhere (only recycling). It is considered rude to eat or drink on the street, but you can often find a seat near the vending machines.

Even spoon tech caught my eye: spoons designed not to fall in how obvious.

More restroom tech: sanitary waste, no touch to open/close.

No need for large seat cover waste, just wash it with spray cleaner.

Simple yet brilliant: pull roll up to remove, put new roll up in its place. No rolly polly removable bars that can fall out.

Baby seat in restroom! Shut the front door!! This is needed all over.

Low set hands free door opener for disabled restroom (in City Archives building).

Pay/validate or lose your undercarriage. These little lots (sometimes 1 to 2 spots) took up any free real estate available.

This rumble strip went down every sidewalk, it's for the blind to get their bearings, and it creates a cultural bike/pedestrian divide. They are also in all airports, train and bus stations and are not fun with rolling suitcases.

Hi rise parking garage: rotating platform so you never have to back out into the road after your car returns from the elevator.

More toilet tech: sink runs when you flush (fresh water, of course).

Another toilet function (in airport hotel): sit on the seat and bowl fills with water. A strange feeling indeed.

Narita airport: what every airport restroom door should look like: a rounded door to ease you in, no clumsy open in door to fight with your luggage. It felt like an elegant dance.

All Nippon Airways (ANA): Cup “hole”der in airplane tray table, the best way to prevent spills.

Haneda to Narita shuttle bus: announcements, mic, TV, music, mirrors, comms, gear shift there is nothing the driver can’t control from his console.

Comments(127):

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