It. Is. Hot.

Wow is it hot here. It was warm but still enjoyable outside up until today. The forecast for the rest of the trip looks like 95+ degrees during the day and about 78-80 degrees at night. I’d love to say it is a dry heat but it is not. Just like NYC on a hot summer day. Had breakfast over looking the city then walked a few miles to a department store today and it was super interesting. It was 13 floors and each floor was a different section. Had a nice hibachi lunch today and am starting to notice the little differences.

• ​Every place to eat has a small stand or bin to put your bag in. No one puts their things on the ground even if they are only an inch above the ground. Comes with people not being worried someone will take their bag either. I could leave my laptop on any bench in the mall and leave for an hour and it would still be there. I’m not going to test that theory, but I see it everywhere. Amazing.
• Portion sizes are half what they are in the USA. Refreshing. You don’t leave disgustingly full or with to-go containers.
• Many places have preset menus. You pick the menu you want and they just start bringing you all the small courses on that menu. People don’t ask for substitutes or changes or even how they want their meat cooked. You get it the way the chef intends it. They do ask if you have any allergies but that is all. I haven’t had any food yet that wasn’t amazing.
• Tipping isn’t expected and in many cases it would be rude.
• Their smallest paper bill is 1000 Yen which is about $7. Everything smaller is in coin form so you always have a ton of change in your pocket or bag. Comes in handy too; there are great drink vending machines in every other street corner!
• Everyone has umbrellas, sweat towels, and mini fans for the sun and heat. Despite that, about 3/4 of people are still wearing pants and almost all the business people are in full suits with the jackets on. I don’t know how they do it, although I am 1/3 heavier than most people here which doesn’t help. (Honesty!) A lot of construction workers I’ve seen have fans build into their hard hats which is kind of neat.
• Did I mention it’s hot? I can’t remember the last time I drank this much water!

Hope you’re all enjoying your summers! Stay cool! Off to explore more!