General Cycling Discussion - Observations on bicycles in Japan

Our family just got back from a two week vacation trip to Japan. We've been there before and a couple of things always catch my eye, and I thought it would be interesting to share. We were in 4 cities on this trip (Nagoya/Ichinomiya, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima), so this is a city & predominately flatlands report.

To begin with, gas equates to about $5 a gallon (Y145/liter), so cycling is hot as an everyday mode of transportation. Two types of basic, inexpensive bicycle made up about 90% of what is commonly seen.

I stopped in to two bike shops, and the term they used for the most common is 'school bike' - sort of like what I rode in the late '60's - an 'English Racer' (?). 26"x1-3/8" tires, basic shaped steel frame, fenders, 3 speed internal hub & handbrakes. Interestingly, the front brake was a rim type, but the rear was a 3-4" diameter 'band' brake outside of the spokes on the hub opposite the sprocket. It is a small drum with a surrounding band of steel fixed at one end, and drawn tight with the cable at the other end. They sell for around Y17,000, or about $150. Generator lights are found on most.

The other common unit was the folding bike: 12"-18" wheels, 5-6 speed Shimano Tourney derailleur, selling for Y20,000 - Y35,000 depending on materials ($175-$300).

A few flat bar roads, almost no drop bar roads. A small number of mountain or hybrids with 18/21/24 speeds, round out the population. There was some more expensive stuff for sale in the shops (up to $1000), but I never saw anything high end on the streets.

Now for the really amazing part - I took pics and video of this, and have shown it to cycling friends since returning. A street edge with 50 bikes on a retail block. A parking lot near a train station with maybe 500 bikes neatly lined up. What do they have in common? Some had the most simple frame mounted real wheel lock, many with none. No bikes chained up to anything! It is a society with nearly zero theft!

Quite a difference from America.

Steve

I lived in Japan for about 5 years. Biking is very much a part of daily life and has been for a long time. I don't think high gas prices are the primary reason. Having a car in general is prohibitively expensive for many, but more importantly, unnecessary thanks to the excellent public transport system found in most cities.

Biking is a mode of transport for everyday errands and short commutes, so you're not going to see high-end bikes for the most part.

Finally, Japan is not a society with nearly zero theft. The rate of theft is certainly a lot lower than the U.S., but I know several people who have had bikes stolen. The police make a genuine effort to deter bike theft by making random checks for stolen bikes, but it does happen. Of course, parking a beat-up errand runner next to 50 of the same makes theft pretty unlikely.

Oh, and riding on the sidewalk is considered perfectly acceptable in Japan, and most riders are quite adept at weaving through heavy foot traffic.

Oh, and riding on the sidewalk is considered perfectly acceptable in Japan, and most riders are quite adept at weaving through heavy foot traffic.
As it is in the US, except in some business districts where there actually is heavy foot traffic. For the most part only the Bicylist Education Salesmen and self proclaimed "experts" in bicycling technique find sidewalk riding unacceptble behavior.

there are other cultural differences that increase the ease and use of bicycles in Japan.

Many Japanese buy groceries on a daily basis and only what they need for the next meal or 2. Easy to carry that amount of food on a train or bike.

They also tend to have alot of little shops all over the place, so you do not have to go far to get everything you need.

According to my japanese friends it is very expensive to get a drivers license and very difficult. The test are hard. They even make you take an additional test for each of several different levels of motorcycles. With the first level being the smallest engine sizes and several more levels of testing for larger engines sizes. If you look, 50cc mopeds are by far the most common and rare to see many motorcycles above 400cc.

Also my friend who has a car, has to pay extra to rent her parking spot at her apartment complex.

So many do not even bother learning to drive or buy cars or motorcycles. Between bicycles, buses and trains, many did not need a car. Much different for the thinking of most people in the states

Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p

Aaron:)

...an 'English Racer' (?). 26"x1-3/8" tires, basic shaped steel frame, fenders, 3 speed internal hub & handbrakes.

The 'English Racer' I purchased in 1969, a Raleigh Sports, is still sitting in my shed. Frame is too small, and Brooks saddle is borked, but it's still working. Sounds like my kind of bike, where form follows function. A lost notion in this country.

Uh, you mentioned nothing about helmet use over there. Notice anything different about that? :)

Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p Yup, the blow-by gases going past the rings increases with wear and increases emissions. There's no way to fix that without an engine-rebuilt. Costs much less to just install a new engine and the "used" engine gets shipped to the US. I would guess if you can afford a car in Japan, you can afford to just get a new car every 2 years as well.

Once again your observations in Japan indicates that people who
ride bicycles as a normal means of transportaion prefer simple
sturdy bikes over multi-speed wonder bikes. The Dutch also
perfer the simple bikes for the same reasons as the Japanese.

Funny really when you think about how American's view utility
cycling as a "tuxedo affair" when a "jeans and tee shirt" biking is
really where it's at. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Our family just got back from a two week vacation trip to Japan. We've been there before and a couple of things always catch my eye, and I thought it would be interesting to share. We were in 4 cities on this trip (Nagoya/Ichinomiya, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima), so this is a city & predominately flatlands report.

To begin with, gas equates to about $5 a gallon (Y145/liter), so cycling is hot as an everyday mode of transportation. Two types of basic, inexpensive bicycle made up about 90% of what is commonly seen.

I stopped in to two bike shops, and the term they used for the most common is 'school bike' - sort of like what I rode in the late '60's - an 'English Racer' (?). 26"x1-3/8" tires, basic shaped steel frame, fenders, 3 speed internal hub & handbrakes. Interestingly, the front brake was a rim type, but the rear was a 3-4" diameter 'band' brake outside of the spokes on the hub opposite the sprocket. It is a small drum with a surrounding band of steel fixed at one end, and drawn tight with the cable at the other end. They sell for around Y17,000, or about $150. Generator lights are found on most.

The other common unit was the folding bike: 12"-18" wheels, 5-6 speed Shimano Tourney derailleur, selling for Y20,000 - Y35,000 depending on materials ($175-$300).

A few flat bar roads, almost no drop bar roads. A small number of mountain or hybrids with 18/21/24 speeds, round out the population. There was some more expensive stuff for sale in the shops (up to $1000), but I never saw anything high end on the streets.

Now for the really amazing part - I took pics and video of this, and have shown it to cycling friends since returning. A street edge with 50 bikes on a retail block. A parking lot near a train station with maybe 500 bikes neatly lined up. What do they have in common? Some had the most simple frame mounted real wheel lock, many with none. No bikes chained up to anything! It is a society with nearly zero theft!

Quite a difference from America.

Steve

Did you take & ride your own bike?

Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p

Aaron:)

From what I've heard, it's not an emissions deal, since emissions systems can be tuned/fixed for much less than the cost of a new vehicle. They increase taxes/fees on older/higher mileage vehicles so they can encourage the sale of newer ones. A side effect is the availability of lots of low mileage vehicles/drivetrains. If there's demand for the vehicle, they're imported to places like NZ, Canada, etc... whole. If not, they're parted out. In terms of oil slipping past the rings and getting burnt, that's generally what PCV's for. Not that it's perfect, but the majority of emissions come from failing oxygen sensors, cats, etc... Here's some info on how it supposedly works.


There is no such law "requiring" engine replacement at a certain mileage. That is a urban myth propagated by importers and car owners who simply don't know or understand the situation in Japan. The high taxes (annually assessed), insurance premiums, gas costs, and especially the safety inspection/registration (occurs biennial) combine to keep turnover of vehicles high.

For example, the Safety inspection for your typical car (say Camry/Accord type) can typically cost $2,000....each time! New vehicles have a 3 year grace period before they are required to submit for the Safety Inspection. In other words, for a 10 year old car, you will have already paid over $8,000, in just Safety Inspection fees! Don't forget, gas over in Japan is also typically four times the cost of here in the U.S. Mileage is kept low on the vehicles as EVERYONE (unless your fabulously rich and patient) uses alternative transportation to get around. Most folks use the trains for local and medium distance traveling/commuting.

Far distances are taken by airplane and local transportation done by either bicycle or bus. In that society, your car tends to be a status symbol more than anything else. I hope this sheds a little more light for you!

So the turn around for low mileage vehicles is probably huge. Seems like they want to stimulate the economy in any way possible (http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/22/japan-bans-old-electronics-as-of-april-1/).

Once again your observations in Japan indicates that people who
ride bicycles as a normal means of transportaion prefer simple
sturdy bikes over multi-speed wonder bikes. The Dutch also
perfer the simple bikes for the same reasons as the Japanese.

Funny really when you think about how American's view utility
cycling as a "tuxedo affair" when a "jeans and tee shirt" biking is
really where it's at. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Yeah but hey if you can afford it, why not? Plus this way you can
take your utility cycle out for a longer romp somewhere. Of course
you can argue that everyone should have a second bike at home
but that's like having the weekend second car, not an option for
everyone.

Some good comments, so figured I'd condense them into one post.

I’ve gone to Japan occasionally on business since 1985, and we host high school kids for a year’s stay at a time thru an exchange students program, so we have a pretty good ‘connection’. In fact the wedding of one of our former students is what brought us over there this time. Our ‘Japanese kids’ and their families have come to visit us since their exchange stay, and we tour with them when we are in Japan. We also have two daughters adopted from China, and have visited that nation three times.

True, I overstated the near zero theft rate. Unfortunately, even Japan has suffered an increase in (mostly) non-violent crime over the past decade. I was in Japan a few times in the '80's when the economy was in it’s prime and unemployment was at about 2%, and crime really was nearly non-existent. Unemployment has lead to a homeless problem, and some of the parks have become blue tarp tent cities. On previous trips I saw few locked bikes at all. Now most have something that at least makes it unrideable, but still, rarely are they locked to a fixed object. Even the expensive bikes.

I threw in the price of gas for impact, but it does further encourages average folks to leave the car at home and ride a bike for short errands. Car ownership has always been expensive aside from fuel, as a comprehensive inspection every two years (beginning on year #3) can run thousands when parts are factored in, and relegates most cars over 5 years old to the recycle bin. It is not just emissions, but mechanical, safety, structure, etc. Some say it is a part of the economic engine that drives Japan, pointing out that approximately 1 in 10 earners are somehow tied to the auto industry. Interesting.... Road tolls are also high. I remember on a previous visit a day trip to a neighboring city running on the order of $50. And who really needs a car when you can zip along at 165 mph on the Shinkansen (bullet train)? All levels of train service are superb, but not cheap either.

Helmet use? Nearly non-existent. It is strange seeing parents riding double with their very young kids in plastic bucket seats, and no helmets on either. Heck, we even saw cyclist with two kids – one in front, one in back. But then they are only now just beginning to use car seats for kids. I think the record sighting for us was a family of 4 on a bike – but that was three years ago in Nanchang, Jiangxi, China….

Basic bicycles…. None of the excess, outdo your neighbor types of rides. None of those chopper bikes with 6” rear tires! Interesting comment about the Dutch. I was in the Netherlands and Belgium two years ago on business, and would agree – simple, basic transportation cycling.

Funny, but my daughter asked if she could bring her razor scooter with! The only wheeled objects on this trip were the luggage, and a tiny travel stroller for the little one. I did lust after some of the nice folding bikes I saw in a shop, and did think about bring one of them home for future travel!

[QUOTE=wahoonc]Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p /QUOTE]

That sounds kind of crazy. It can't be truly economical, either fiscally or environmentally. It takes a decent amount of energy to produce a complete engine...certainly more than the extra released due to wear of a normally functioning, properly-tuned engine for the next 75000 miles.

Fibber...did you ask about rental bikes for visitors? Perhaps hotels might even have accomodations to make using a rental bike convenient (like valet parking :D )

The main reason for the low gear count is probaly more likely to be an attribute of the stated flat terrain, same for the Dutch, as well as the reliability factor.
A three speed where I live would be a guarantee of knee surgery and a lot of pushing up hills.

A three speed where I live would be a guarantee of knee surgery and a lot of pushing up hills.Me too. I love the practicality and simplicity of internal-geared bikes, I even own one for short trips to the store, but my region, and commute, is extremely hilly, so I require a mountain triple with a 34 cog in the rear. As far as derailleurs being "high-maintenance," I clean my drivetrain once or twice a month, takes all of 15 minutes, and is not stressful or difficult in any way. :)

Replace the 3-speed hub with a Rohloff Speedhub? Its only 14 gears though... ;)

*ducks*

A Driver License in Japan usually takes about 3 months of classes and testing at a cost of around $4000-$5000. If a person devotes themself fully to the classes and testing, and does nothing else, it can take as little as 1 month. The cut off to get it all done is 6 months.

Once this is successfully completed they still don't have a Driver License, but a temporary permit to drive. They then go to the local Police Dept. HQ where they get more classes and another 100 question test. A score of 90% is required to pass.

Once they have an actual Driver License they are then on a one year probationary period as a new driver and any vehicle they drive must be placarded accordingly. Penalties for violations during this probationary period can range from license suspension until more classes and testing are completed to license revocation.

License renewal requires more classes and retesting.

If, for some reason, you allow your license to expire, you start over at square one.

Some, like my Mother-in-Law, never learn to drive.

My Father-in-Law works for a company that subsidizes public transportation expenses for the company's employees. An employee driving their car to work is grounds for dismissal. In other words; drive your car to work, loose your job. Other campanies over there do this, too.

I'd like to see all of this emplaced in the U.S. It's far too cheap and easy to get a DL and drive over here.

One reason there's very little theft or other crime in Japan, compared to the U.S., is that over there, concepts like "Honor" and "Shame" still have meaning, but this is going away as they become more Americanized.

Of course the stress placed on each individual by their social structure is why they have a higher suicide rate.

One reason there's very little theft or other crime in Japan, compared to the U.S., is that over there, concepts like "Honor" and "Shame" still have meaning, but this is going away as they become more Americanized.

Of course the stressed placed on each individual by their social structure is why they have a higher suicide rate.

Oh, puhleez, spare us the Far East stereotypes :rolleyes:

There's a huge amount of crime in Japan- most of it just happens to be very well organised and hidden rather than petty and obvious. Playing Spot-the-Yakuza quickly loses its novelty value in cheap restaurants.

Speaking of Tokyo- I had a friend who used to commute to work on the roads. People though he was nuts, and so did I after he was hit twice in six months.

Just a little perspective, Japan is slightly smaller than the whole state of California and is 80% mountains.

Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p

Aaron:)
A lot of them end up here in New Zealand ,a good % of cars here are 2nd hand Jap. imports , car dealers buy them in bulk from Japan & transport them over in their thousands in specialy adapted ships. The goverment is going to put a ban on 2nd hand imports over 10 years old in an attempt to try to cut emmissions!

One reason there's very little theft or other crime in Japan, compared to the U.S., is that over there, concepts like "Honor" and "Shame" still have meaning, but this is going away as they become more Americanized.

Of course the stressed placed on each individual by their social structure is why they have a higher suicide rate.

Okay Miyagi. Wax on...

Getting a license pretty much requires attending a closed course driving school. You don't get out onto public roads until you have achieved a certain level of proficiency, and these schools are expensive. So at one time, driving was a men's (wage earners) only privilege.

I remember when our first exchange student saw my wife get behind the wheel, and she exclaimed with great surprise "Mom, you drive?" Now all the kids are getting licenses. We heard the basics explained by two families we visited. At 21, girls have a 'coming out' celebration complete with a new kimono. This event can run a solid $10k. Many girls are asking for a 'yellow plate' car (mini/micro class with reduced fees) instead, and getting them!

While it is certainly an overused stereotype, honor and commitment is still alive to some extent in Asia. I still see it in business settings. We had a problem with a hotel room at one point, and the manager practically fell over himself to upgrade us and make it right. I goofed and left a tip once. The waiter chased us out into the street to return it. At another point an order contained an error, and the staff apologized profusely and repeatedly. Not a perfect society by any means, but a nice change of pace from typical Western norms.

Helmet use? Nearly non-existent. It is strange seeing parents riding double with their very young kids in plastic bucket seats, and no helmets on either...

at the risk of branding myself (a la HH), I'd say it's a small minority in the world that wear them.

I seem to remember another poster that said he was visiting Japan and when he put his helmet on for a ride, people giggled at him for it.

North America and Austrilia seem to be the few places in the world that think they're important.

Just a little perspective, Japan is slightly smaller than the whole state of California and is 80% mountains.
Here's some more perspective. How many California cyclists are cycling across the State of California each day; ever? I'd guess about the same number as those cycling across the country of Japan: An insignificant number. Probably the same ratio exists for those who are riding their bicycles up and down mountain ranges in either location. Number of commuter/daily cyclists who are concerned about or affected by such geography perspectives: None.

Getting a license pretty much requires attending a closed course driving school. You don't get out onto public roads until you have achieved a certain level of proficiency, and these schools are expensive. So at one time, driving was a men's (wage earners) only privilege.

I remember when our first exchange student saw my wife get behind the wheel, and she exclaimed with great surprise "Mom, you drive?" Now all the kids are getting licenses. We heard the basics explained by two families we visited. At 21, girls have a 'coming out' celebration complete with a new kimono. This event can run a solid $10k. Many girls are asking for a 'yellow plate' car (mini/micro class with reduced fees) instead, and getting them!



The baffling thing is this: Given how hard it is to get a driving license in Japan, why are Tokyo drivers some of the most inept in the world? They don't just not indicate- they honestly don't realise they are drifting randomly between lanes lanes in front of other traffic. This isn't from teenage girls either- it's usually middle aged men.

Here's some more perspective. How many California cyclists are cycling across the State of California each day; ever? I'd guess about the same number as those cycling across the country of Japan: An insignificant number. Probably the same ratio exists for those who are riding their bicycles up and down mountain ranges in either location. Number of commuter/daily cyclists who are concerned about or affected by such geography perspectives: None.

A bike commute in Japan is a couple of miles at the most...either to the local place you work, or to the train station if you work in another city. While riding on the street is common in the non-metro towns, you won't see many, if any, cyclists on the main highways or on the streets of the larger metro areas...even driving on those is an adventure not for the faint-hearted!

The baffling thing is this: Given how hard it is to get a driving license in Japan, why are Tokyo drivers some of the most inept in the world? They don't just not indicate- they honestly don't realise they are drifting randomly between lanes lanes in front of other traffic. This isn't from teenage girls either- it's usually middle aged men.

Not baffling at all - more of a culture-bred trust. It would be rude for the driver in the rear to interfere with the driver ahead, so the driver ahead is concentrating on not interfering with the drivers in front of him and secure in the knowledge that you, the guy behind him, is doing the same.

A bike commute in Japan is a couple of miles at the most...either to the local place you work, or to the train station if you work in another city. While riding on the street is common in the non-metro towns, you won't see many, if any, cyclists on the main highways or on the streets of the larger metro areas...even driving on those is an adventure not for the faint-hearted!
I don't doubt that you are correct. My point is that the size of the country or existance of mountain ranges is a red herring when discussing bicycling, unless the issue is cross country touring.

The baffling thing is this: Given how hard it is to get a driving license in Japan, why are Tokyo drivers some of the most inept in the world? They don't just not indicate- they honestly don't realise they are drifting randomly between lanes lanes in front of other traffic. This isn't from teenage girls either- it's usually middle aged men.

I've spent hundreds of hours driving in Tokyo, and I couldn't disagree more. Tokyo drivers are the best drivers I've ever encountered in terms of skill, courtesy, and generally sound judgment.

I really don't know what you are talking about.

Another item that comes into play with vehicles in Japan, is their extremely stringent Air Quality standards. As I understand it a vehicle with around 25-30k miles on the odo won't pass the emmisions tests. They then have to scrap the vehicle and buy another one. The scrap engines get cut out and sent to places like the US and sold as used engines:p

Aaron:)


That is why you rarely see old vehicles on the road.


Another note on mamacharis......almost all have their name and address expertly painted on the fenders....this usually done by the bike shop upon purchase.

The baffling thing is this: Given how hard it is to get a driving license in Japan, why are Tokyo drivers some of the most inept in the world? They don't just not indicate- they honestly don't realise they are drifting randomly between lanes lanes in front of other traffic. This isn't from teenage girls either- it's usually middle aged men.

Not surprising at all. I remember coming upon a scene of a minor traffic accident where the driver veered off the road and struck a light pole. I saw an embarrassed driver profusely apologizing to the policeman about the light pole he had damaged and admitting that a young school girl walking had caught his attention and had distracted him, causing the accident.
Hope that driver didn't commit seppuku that evening.....:p

Not surprising at all. I remember coming upon a scene of a minor traffic accident where the driver veered off the road and struck a light pole. I saw an embarrassed driver profusely apologizing to the policeman about the light pole he had damaged and admitting that a young school girl walking had caught his attention and had distracted him, causing the accident.
Hope that driver didn't commit seppuku that evening.....:p

Naa, he just had to pay gomen money to the pole's family. :eek:

I didn't drive in Japan myself, but took cabs everywhere. I must have to say that Japanese drivers and traffic are very... what's the word... efficient. If there's an opening, someone fills that spot quickly. It's aggressive, but at the same time, they're courteous as well. Quite a difference with NYC cabbies... ;)

I've spent hundreds of hours driving in Tokyo, and I couldn't disagree more. Tokyo drivers are the best drivers I've ever encountered in terms of skill, courtesy, and generally sound judgment.

I really don't know what you are talking about.

I just visited once for 3 weeks but I have to say, they are excellent drivers.

Wow! Drive to work-lose your job!!! Can you imagine that being implemented in the US??

I thought the fact that nothing ever got stolen in Japan was attributable to the fact that everyone who lives there is a karate expert? There'd be hell to pay if you were caught. :eek:

Have to agree. It is what I would call 'organized chaos'. Try plugging holes like that in the USA, and it would result in a road rage incident. Over there, it is almost a duty to fill every open space.

Kind of even feels like that on the sidewalks as well, as pedestrians and cyclist compete for every available square meter!

You gotta have something (courtesy, discipline, proficiency) to go on long Sunday drives in Japan. I remember being in bumper to bumper traffic going up Hakone, and moving about 1 mi. in 2 hours.

You gotta have something (courtesy, discipline, proficiency) to go on long Sunday drives in Japan. I remember being in bumper to bumper traffic going up Hakone, and moving about 1 mi. in 2 hours.

Yepper...Atsugi to Yokosuka - that ain't a road, it's a parking lot!

Finally, Japan is not a society with nearly zero theft. The rate of theft is certainly a lot lower than the U.S., but I know several people who have had bikes stolen. The police make a genuine effort to deter bike theft by making random checks for stolen bikes, but it does happen. Of course, parking a beat-up errand runner next to 50 of the same makes theft pretty unlikely.



I'll second you on the stolen bicycle thing. 2 kids stole mine and my friends bikes. You should have seen the looks on their faces when the mothers brought them to apologize and they found out we were Americans.

Have to agree. It is what I would call 'organized chaos'. Try plugging holes like that in the USA, and it would result in a road rage incident. Over there, it is almost a duty to fill every open space.

Kind of even feels like that on the sidewalks as well, as pedestrians and cyclist compete for every available square meter!


Just never ever do anything that would require a speedy trip to the hospital over there. I don't even know why they have lights on their Ambulance as no one moves over for them.

I did some bicycling in Tokyo for a while when I was there and it was interesting.
Bicycling on most streets was almost unheard of, in all the time i bicyled I _never once_ saw a bicyclist on a major street. No matter how crowded the sidewalks were, shoulder to shoulder to shoulder, the bicyclists were always there.

I got stopped by police *constantly* to check if my bike was stolen. My japanese friends told me this was because I didnt look Japanese (I am white), and my other non-japanese friends there had the same expeircne with police as I did.

It was a common sight in Japan to see a bicyclists holding an umbrella and talking on his cellphone at the same time as cycline! I heard that this was illegal, but it didnt seem to matter!

Finally, Japan is not a society with nearly zero theft. The rate of theft is certainly a lot lower than the U.S., but I know several people who have had bikes stolen. The police make a genuine effort to deter bike theft by making random checks for stolen bikes, but it does happen. Of course, parking a beat-up errand runner next to 50 of the same makes theft pretty unlikely.I saw something weird at the Osaka airport. At first, I didn't notice it, but then I saw luggage sitting around everywhere. Neatly stacked under the seats at the waiting areas or along the walls outside the bathrooms. "Strange..." I thought, "where are all the people?". Turns out they were milling around waiting for the plane and just left the luggage unattended. It goes back to what someone said about values and ethics, the thought of stealing just doesn't even pop into their heads as easily. I doubt the police makes much of a difference, I wonder what the recovery-rate of stolen bikes are in Japan, although they probably do have a deterrent effect.

Check out this bike-traffic: BusyIntersection.wmv (http://dannoxyz.videobloggers.org/blog/dannoxyz/resource/miscvideos/download/BusyIntersection.wmv)
Talk about riding & pack-maneuvering skillz!!! :eek:
I should post this in S&M and watch them have a heart-attack!

Umbrellas are also very commonly stolen in Japan =)

But it doesnt seem like much else. is I dropped my US passport and wallet in a very crowded Arcade in a shady part of Tokyo. Retracing my steps 4-5 hours later, I find them still there sitting on an arcade machine.

I heard that those fastidious Japanese had a far number of belt-drive bikes. Confirm or deny?

Oh, puhleez, spare us the Far East stereotypes :rolleyes:

There's a huge amount of crime in Japan- most of it just happens to be very well organised and hidden rather than petty and obvious. Playing Spot-the-Yakuza quickly loses its novelty value in cheap restaurants.

Speaking of Tokyo- I had a friend who used to commute to work on the roads. People though he was nuts, and so did I after he was hit twice in six months.



One reason there's very little theft or other crime in Japan, compared to the U.S., is that over there, concepts like "Honor" and "Shame" still have meaning, but this is going away as they become more Americanized.

Of course the stress placed on each individual by their social structure is why they have a higher suicide rate.
Okay Miyagi. Wax on...
You guys should try visiting there sometime. Stay long enough to get to know the people and the customs. I have lived there, off and on, for over five years with several shorter visits. I may yet go back to live.


While it is certainly an overused stereotype, honor and commitment is still alive to some extent in Asia. I still see it in business settings. We had a problem with a hotel room at one point, and the manager practically fell over himself to upgrade us and make it right. I goofed and left a tip once. The waiter chased us out into the street to return it. At another point an order contained an error, and the staff apologized profusely and repeatedly. Not a perfect society by any means, but a nice change of pace from typical Western norms.
I reported a leaking faucet to the management while staying in a hotel over there. The desk manager apologized profusely over the phone. As I was hanging up there was a polite knock on the door. Three gentlemen who had obviously run to my room. One to fix the faucet, the other two to apologize. I haven't seen this kind of service in any hotel in America. Not even after a week or more at a time in $500-$600 a night Manhattan hotels.

To tip can be considered an insult to the employee and the business. The perception is that you don't think the business pays the employee enough to live on/you don't think the employee earns enough to live on and, you feel sorry for the employee. There are a few exceptions to this perception in areas often frequented by westerners.

Part of the difference is in the societal work ethic. In America half-*ssed results are perfectly acceptable. We don't notice it because we see it so much we've come to expect it. In Japan, if it's not perfect it's wrong.


You gotta have something (courtesy, discipline, proficiency) to go on long Sunday drives in Japan. I remember being in bumper to bumper traffic going up Hakone, and moving about 1 mi. in 2 hours.
My wife is from Hakone.:D

I had a total of three bikes stolen while living in Japan while I was growing up.....all on US military housing property...:p

I had a total of three bikes stolen while living in Japan while I was growing up.....all on US military housing property...:p

Drunken Marines need their hobbies - BENJO BOMBER RODEO!!!! :D :eek:

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
Drunken Marines need their hobbies - BENJO BOMBER RODEO!!!! :D :eek:

Loads of fun when you're on shore patrol and have to pick up one that landed in a tambo (wet rice paddy).