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I studied in Tokyo from 2010 to 2014 and noticed a lot of cultural differences between Japan and my country so to deal with my culture shock, I started creating comic strips about them. I hope my comics will help more foreigners like myself understand Japan and the Japanese people better, as well as increase awareness about some changes in behavior we might have to make when we visit. These comic strips were selected from a collection of over 300 that I created between 2012 and 2015 and posted on my Facebook page. I also compiled these illustrations into two books: "Eva, Kopi and Matcha" and "Eva, Kopi and Matcha 2.0" which are available on Amazon and other eBook platforms (Kindle, iBooks, Google Books, Kobo).

More info: amazon.com | Instagram | Facebook

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    #3

    Eating Noodles

    Eating Noodles

    Slurping noodles to eat in Japan is perfectly fine and it is said that they will taste better too.

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    #5

    Picking Up Your Own (And Others) Trash

    Picking Up Your Own (And Others) Trash

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    #6

    Baths

    Baths

    Japanese enjoy taking hot baths too, especially hot spring baths. (monkeys are there for humor, you won't get to dip with any, sorry!)

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    #8

    Toilets

    Toilets

    The toilets are always wet in Malaysia and there's always no toilet papers.

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    #9

    Fruits

    Fruits

    Anybody bought the expensive Japanese fruits before? Like the melon or the insanely priced grapes...

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    K. LNU
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was stationed in Japan, it was explained to me that Japan is an island with limited resources. Much of the produce and meats are brought from other countries; or grown specially for the market (like the square watermelons) ... thus the high cost of some foods!

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    #10

    The Last Stop

    The Last Stop

    If you fall deep asleep on the bus in the US, it may be your last stop...

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    #11

    Vending Machines

    Vending Machines

    There are vending machines almost everywhere, even at places where life-forms doesn't seem to exist.

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what I noticed the first time I came to Japan. I was walking on a street between empty field and there you had a vending machine in the middle of nowhere, nothing else.

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    #12

    Celebrating Christmas

    Celebrating Christmas

    Strangely Japanese celebrates Christmas not with turkey and ham, but with KFC...

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    D. Pitbull
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh. OH!!!! Maybe this explains my mother-in-law!! We kept insisting "Do you not want something... more? We will get you any---" - "No. KFC." .. okaaay...

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    #14

    Clean And State-Of-The-Art Japanese Toilets

    Clean And State-Of-The-Art Japanese Toilets

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    #15

    Smartphones

    Smartphones

    You can't turn off camera shutter sound on Japanese smartphones due to privacy and upskirt photo taking.

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    Twenty øne doggos
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, that sounds like a good feature, they should do this with other phones.

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    #16

    Tattoos

    Tattoos

    If the tattoo is small, it can be covered with plaster to enter into the public bath houses or swimming pool.

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The reason is not that the person is thought to be a Yakuza. The reason is that you can't forbid only Yakuzas or they would get mad. In order to work around that, since they all have tattoos, this excuse was used. So if a Yakuza gets mad, they can say it's the rule, nothing against them.

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    #17

    Getting Off The Train

    Getting Off The Train

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    OreOs
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel that Singaporeans generally let passengers get off first, those who dont are usually the older people who may be ignorant or impatient with a sense of entitlement or tourists/foreigners.

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    #19

    Active Elderly

    Active Elderly

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's so true! In see old people here and they're more active than me!

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    #20

    Seven Wonders Of Japanese

    Seven Wonders Of Japanese

    The 7th wonder can be found on my FB or blog.

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think you took the train in the summer ... I can assure you they are and look sweaty in the work suits.

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    #21

    Train Etiquette

    Train Etiquette

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now this happens in the USA and it's very annoying. I've been at restaurants and had people at the table next to me with their smartphones cranked up loud so the kid who's hardly touched his food can be entertained.

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    #22

    Sayonara

    Sayonara

    "Sayonara" means goodbye but has a sense of finality to it, so don't use it to your clients!

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    #23

    Stairs

    Stairs

    There is a great number of staircases and very few escalators and lifts at smaller train stations.

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    #24

    Impressive Customer Service

    Impressive Customer Service

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    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe it depends on where you are in the US. I'm from southeastern Virginia and people definitely greet me with a smile and politeness. No bow though.

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    #25

    Office Toilet

    Office Toilet

    I went to a Japanese company for an interview before I decided to leave Japan. When I went to the ladies toilet, I saw a nice wooden locker cabinet mounted on the wall with small compartments. I know Japanese are very particular about hygiene but to see a locker for toothbrushes and sanitary stuff is a whole new world for me...

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    #27

    Sushi Rice

    Sushi Rice

    Somehow sushi rice will fall off when you eat outside of Japan...

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    DemPugs
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard sushi chefs spend like 7 years just working on rice so it kinda makes sense.

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    #28

    Japanese Speak English

    Japanese Speak English

    Based on the real story at a sushi restaurant...

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    Lala_nene
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of Japanese have an inferiority complex about English pronunciation. We (I am a Japanese) think that it is impolite to speak in poor pronunciation.

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    #29

    Kids In Trains

    Kids In Trains

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's in the USA too...people letting the kids run wild on public transportation.

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    #30

    Hairdresser

    Hairdresser

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    Hans
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else who always says "all right" independent of boiling hot or ice cold water?

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    #31

    Bus Drivers

    Bus Drivers

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    Stina Kolling
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always say hello & thank you to every bus driver everywhere no matter where I live. They're real people too, and they deserve to be acknowledged.

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    #32

    Muscle Training

    Muscle Training

    You'll get to train your muscles in Japan because there's a lot of stairs, not many escalators, and lifts! So imagine all the luggage you have to carry up and down while transiting to the airport to train stations and in-between hotels...

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    #33

    Hiking

    Hiking

    I really feel like melting recently...

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    #34

    Shinjuku Station

    Shinjuku Station

    It is a place where Google maps fail and all hope is lost to find the specific exits...

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shinjuku station is the worst ... I always get lost ... You can even enter from a gate and leave from another ... Once you enter, you need to leave at another station (and so take the train) or go see the station staff to let you out.

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    #35

    Giving Way To Those Who Really Need To Use The Lifts

    Giving Way To Those Who Really Need To Use The Lifts

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not too true. It's more the order at which you arrived. If you line up for the elevator before a wheelchair comes to wait behind you, it's pretty rare that the person decides to let the handicapped person to first. The person would just enter first and try to take as less space as possible.

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    #36

    Introducing

    Introducing

    We only network with a plate full of food in our hands.

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    Jeff
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Food is good because it not only fills out stomachs it brings up the talkativity in ourselves and others around us........

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    #37

    Accurate Weather Forecasts

    Accurate Weather Forecasts

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    #38

    Convenient Stores

    Convenient Stores

    I often go to convenient stores to buy bento, snacks, cakes or vegetables when I was in Japan. Sometimes I will pass by their adult magazine section and wonder if I should play a prank by browsing through it and see the reaction of customers and staff. But I wasn't brave enough and abandoned the idea...

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    NotMe
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think they woul've cared, honestly xd Either way, I think they come taped so you can't actually browse through, if I remember correctly.

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    #39

    Cyclists Are Considerate

    Cyclists Are Considerate

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No... In Japan too, they're not that careful and there are many accidents hurting prior walking on the sidewalk.

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    #40

    Promotion

    Promotion

    Japanese companies do not let employees specialize in one skill but instead be a Jack of all trades. So even if the employee graduated from an engineering school, they will place him in sales. During the promotion, they may even transfer a sales assistant manager to Human Resource!

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is called spreading out your resources. That way if say Johnny who is the manager of sales suddenly has a heart attack and can't come back to work for a while, Steve in human resources can fill in for him.

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    #41

    Safety

    Safety

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    Laily F. Noor
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...or in singspore, insted of leaving your bag, you can just put tissue pack on the table to "book the table"

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    #42

    Comic Conventions

    Comic Conventions

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    NotMe
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Comiket is for doujinshis so that's why. Maybe AnimeJapan is a little more "neutral" and closer to the Comicon concept?

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    #43

    Recycle

    Recycle

    Though it's good to recycle...

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    #44

    Takeaway

    Takeaway

    I heard that no take away of leftovers from restaurants and buffet was allowed because of a major food poisoning that happened some years ago. Caterers and restaurants did not want to be liable if anything happens. Bento is ok because they have an expiry date and storage instructions on the packaging

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    #45

    Final Decision

    Final Decision

    Although Japanese love to have meetings to gain a common consensus, they also may decide important things among themselves and simply let the employee know their final decision without discussing with them.

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In a meeting, I learnt at the same time as everyone who will be the new team lead. It was me ...

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    #46

    Amazing Japanese Women At Shibuya

    Amazing Japanese Women At Shibuya

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    #47

    Name Cards

    Name Cards

    Based on my friends' real stories. Quite amazing that the CEO has to approve name cards too!

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    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No ... Most of the companies do it like in any other country.

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    #48

    Diagonal Crossing

    Diagonal Crossing

    The diagonal crossing will no longer be the same again!

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are some places in the USA you can do this. Around UNCW and in south Seattle at the Boeing Plant.

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    #49

    Drawing Session

    Drawing Session

    I was surprised when I attended a life drawing session in Tokyo and all the artists flipped their pages as soon as a break was announced. Perhaps the Japanese do not like to show off their work and prefer to keep things to themselves...?

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    #50

    Dashing Rickshaw Pullers

    Dashing Rickshaw Pullers

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    Daniel280456
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do you want them to do in Singapore ? Get cosmetic surgery, on a rickshaw puller pay ?

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    #51

    Changing Rooms

    Changing Rooms

    I always dislike to try clothes during winter time and especially in Japan because you have to remove your shoes to try in their fitting room...

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    #52

    Train Stations

    Train Stations

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And in Japan, you can eat and drink on the train..but make sure you clean up after yourself. It's the courteous thing to do.

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    #53

    The Real Kitty

    The Real Kitty

    What if the excited girls know it's a guy beneath the costume?

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    #54

    Bugs

    Bugs

    This idea was contributed by reader Kok Hong, quite interesting don't you think? Probably because of our lack of interaction with nature that causes us to freak out whenever when we see insects.

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    Katarzyna Pawlus-Ono
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Japan some moms hate it too, but they understand that children need to experience the real nature and share their experiences with friends

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    #55

    Chichen Rice Stall

    Chichen Rice Stall

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    #56

    Wet Napkins

    Wet Napkins

    So do you use the wet napkin before or after or not at all?

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    KatKaleen
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Before, but the only place in the area that hands those out is japanese, so...

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    #57

    Why It Takes Forever For The Japanese To Decide

    Why It Takes Forever For The Japanese To Decide

    This is based on the true story from my Japanese friend, that they need meetings to discuss when to hold the next meeting! The consensus from everyone is important but this delays making decisions...

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    Tony Moon
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hell, I just had this meeting today in the US. We had a meeting about setting up meetings for when we would all meet.

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    #60

    Growing Up

    Growing Up

    Kids are very pampered in Singapore...

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