When In Japan: Bring Your Own Soap

Japan is often regarded as a clean country. This is generally true, but once you’ve lived here for a few months, you begin to question that stereotype. We Westerners often associate Japan with high-tech toilets, public bathing, and having virtually no litter. What we don’t think of, however, is how many public restrooms lack soap. Disgusting.

I’ve been hesitant to write about this for sometime. I love Japan and I appreciate both the people and culture. In fact, I am thankful for the many Japanese people who welcomed me with open arms, twice. When I studied abroad in Tokyo, most restrooms provided amenities such as paper towels and soap. Now in Fukuoka, I realized that I need to bring my own hand towel, and most shocking, my own soap.

Cleanliness in Japan

Japan does have a culture of cleanliness dating back to ancient times. Part of the reason is because Japan is a land abundant with water. Many parts of Japan receive 60 or more inches of rain annually, which washes away dirt and grime. In addition, Japan has lots of geothermal activity, blessing the land with naturally-heated water for bathing. Finally, but certainly not least, Japan is home to steep rivers, or rivers with fast-flowing currents. These fast-flowing rivers wash away dirt and contaminants, thus leading to clean drinking water supplies, as well as clean people.

Japan is also a country which is limited in other natural resources. Visitors, including myself, often forget to bring their own hand towels with them in public. In Japan, they use handkerchiefs not as snot rags, but as hand towels. This is brilliant and environmentally friendly because it reduces the need for paper towels. Plus, it’s more sanitary than those bacteria farms we call air dryers. However, while some restrooms offer paper towels or air dryers, I often find myself drying my hands on my pants!

Yet while many businesses and some train stations offer restrooms with soap, most do not. For example, many public parks have restrooms which don’t have soap. In the case of JR Kyushu, in particular, their smaller train stations have tiny restrooms which offer no soap whatsoever. I’ve wanted to write to the CEO of JR Kyushu to discuss this issue, yet I don’t as I am a guest in Japan.

Hand Washing in Japan

Please note this section is based on my personal observations. Do not treat this as being representative of the Japanese people. Food service employees and medical staff are required to thoroughly wash their hands before returning to work. Unlike California, the average Joe in Japan usually splashes their hands with water for a few seconds. This is similar to the purification rituals at Temples and Shrines, so I can understand why this may be seen as acceptable hand washing in Japan.

Yet, my inner germaphobe goes mad. I just cannot adjust to this difference in hand washing compared to America. Heck, I wonder what other Americans consider acceptable hand washing? Maybe it’s just me, I don’t really know. However, I no longer look at Japan as this bastion of cleanliness; I think about what those hands have touched, and how they’ve been washed.

How I Accommodate It

I’ve started carrying a pair or two of nitrile gloves wherever I go, just in case I need to use a restroom. That way, I can just take care of business and dispose of my gloves afterwards. Plus, it’s much more sanitary than walking around with hands that came into contact with… you know what I’m referring to.

I also continue to search for soap sheets. A friend of mine told me these were common in parts of Asia, but I haven’t found any in Japan. If you’re planning on traveling to Japan, consider these ones before you leave.

Lastly, I always wash my hands at home. Personally, I’ve had problems with Japanese soap brands, as those always dry my hands out severely. Home is where the good soap is. For those of you who use Method brand soap, I have good news: SC Johnson sells it here!

Conclusion

Culture shock is a normal part of adapting to a new culture, and it’s normal to feel like some things are better in your home culture. No one ever said you had to agree with a new culture’s every practice in order to appreciate it. As long as you’re adapting to and exploring your new culture, you’re fine. Whatever you do, don’t become one of those miserable people who complains about everything. If you find yourself missing aspects of your former life, such as soap use, work around it as best you can.