
In Japan, it is still considered “rude” to do things like talk on the phone or apply makeup on the train. Although the latter is becoming far more common as people come to realise that a girl touching up her war-paint in public is hardly the most scandalous act one can engage in, there are still many, mostly of the older generation, who believe that it should not be done in shared spaces and to be so openly “vain” is simply shameful.
We wonder, then, what the average older Japanese citizen would think if they saw a commuter like the young lady in the following video, who has thrown caution to the wind and slaps on a cleansing face mask during her travels.
Shot on the Beijing subway and shared by the same YouTuber who brought us this worrying video last week (we’re starting to think they’re making a career out of collecting these weird videos, but keep up the fine work if you’re reading!), “Face pack on Beijing Subway” shows how different the thinking in Japan and China really is.
Although many women in Japan couldn’t care less if some older passenger gives them a few dirty looks while they’re applying some lipstick or fixing their mascara, we very much doubt any of them would use their commuting time to cleanse their skin with a full face mask like this.
We’re sure many of the older generation would be breaking into rage sweats after seeing this video, but we on the other hand can’t help thinking that this is one young lady who very much knows the meaning of the term “time management” and is doing an excellent job of grabbing a few precious seconds to help stay beautiful. Let ’em look, girl; you’ll be laughing when the rest of us are old and wrinkly and you still look 21.

Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
This Kochi sightseeing spot is one of Japan’s “three most disappointing spots,” but should it be?
Extreme budget travel! Can you do a good weekend trip to Taiwan with 50,000 yen (US$370)? – Part 1
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
We put the internet’s “techniques for emptying your bladder with morning wood” to the test
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
This Kochi sightseeing spot is one of Japan’s “three most disappointing spots,” but should it be?
Extreme budget travel! Can you do a good weekend trip to Taiwan with 50,000 yen (US$370)? – Part 1
Japanese convenience store’s new chicken katsu sandwich looks deceptive…but is it?
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Japanese restaurant chain installs tip boxes in response to foreign tourists leaving tips, sparks debate
Tokyo’s new burger chain isn’t new, is disappointing, tasty, and hopeful all at once【Taste test】
How to use Japanese convenience store Lawson’s self-checkout terminals
The mystery of the phantom “sake pass card” at Japanese alcohol vending machines