Regional bath habits lead to clear preferences for baths vs. showers and longer times soaking in the tub in certain areas of the country.
habits
A survey out this week asked 200 salarymen – office workers in Japan – about their work and lifestyle habits. The findings have been reported in the Japanese media under headlines such as “The bad habits of low earners” and “People on a low income pee in the bath – but why?!”
But this kind of survey tells us more about the survey creator’s attitude towards low-income citizens, than it does about the employees who answered it.
Not so long ago, a friend of mine from the UK came to visit me here in Japan. After showing him around town and making sure to take him to all of the most popular tourist spots, he remarked that quite a few of the subtle behaviours Japanese people exhibit seemed, while in no way offensive, remarkably different to those of our own countrymen. As we worked through a couple of the more unusual customs and behaviours that my friend had noticed, it struck me that at some point during my eight years of living here I had come to accept the everyday quirks of the people around me as entirely normal and not in the slightest bit odd.
Last year, we discussed the 10 things that we love and the 10 things we just can’t stomach about Japan, but today we at RocketNews24 felt it was time to present you with a list of random but genuine observations, from the peculiar to the downright endearing, about the Japanese people themselves. Enjoy!
10 surprising lifestyle habits of Japanese savers: Why are men who throw things out good with money?
An online survey was recently carried out on 100 Japanese men in their 30s with an annual salary of 6 million yen (US$61,000) or less who have nevertheless managed to amass more than their annual income in savings, and the results were really quite surprising. The men’s answers seem to overturn the common wisdom on how to save money, resulting in a list of characteristics that natural savers share.
I always imagined thrifty types would hang on to all their old junk in case it came in handy, but for some reason, the men who have proved themselves to be great at saving money also tend to excel at throwing things away and… reading maps.





Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
This Japanese train station has its very own hot spring bathhouse, right on the platform【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Tokyo to Kyushu by ferry: An epic 21-hour journey on the sea
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
This Japanese train station has its very own hot spring bathhouse, right on the platform【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Tokyo to Kyushu by ferry: An epic 21-hour journey on the sea
Four things you should eat at KFC Japan, according to staff who work there
We trick an online scammer into teaching us how to cook the best fried rice we’ve ever made
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Our 7 best conveyor-belt sushi restaurants in Sapporo
Shocking discovery: Japan’s expensive Shine Muscat grapes can pair amazingly with cheap Pringles
Studio Ghibli releases wallpapers for Ghibli Park, introduces us to two new forest characters
Taste-testing Tokyo’s biggest, best edible bug vending machine【Photos】
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
Kagawa Prefecture is transformed into Slowpoke Paradise in a brand-new travel campaign