Moving to a new country often brings unexpected cultural experiences, and an Indian content creator living in Japan has been sharing these moments with her followers online.
The creator, known as @lucknawiinjapan on Instagram, regularly posts about her life in Japan, highlighting small but memorable cultural differences she has encountered while adjusting to daily life there.
Finding vegetarian food in Japan
For many vegetarian travellers, Japan’s famous food culture raises an immediate question — what food options are available without meat or fish ingredients.
The creator recalled that during her early days in Japan, especially while travelling outside major cities, finding vegetarian food was difficult.
During a three-day trip to Mie Prefecture, she said her meals were limited to snacks such as coffee, chips, peanuts, chocolates and bread.
A major challenge for vegetarians in Japan is that many dishes use dashi, a broth made from fish flakes, which forms the base of soups, sauces and noodle dishes.
However, as she continued living in the country, she gradually discovered more suitable food options, including vegan sandwiches, plant-based ramen and flavoured yogurts. Major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have also seen a growing number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in recent years.
Bicycle parking rules can be strict
In another experience she shared online, the creator described mistakenly parking her bicycle in the wrong place.
When she returned, she found a notice indicating that she would need to pay a 5,000 yen fine to retrieve it. However, authorities reportedly let her off with a warning after she explained it was an honest mistake.
In many Japanese cities, improperly parked bicycles are quickly removed by municipal authorities and stored at designated facilities until owners pay a fee and collect them.
Even train delays come with apology certificates
Japan is known for having one of the world’s most punctual train systems. But what surprised the creator most was how delays are handled.
If a train is delayed — usually by more than five minutes — passengers can receive a “Chien Shōmeisho,” or delay certificate, from railway staff.
This document serves as official proof that the train was late and can be shown at workplaces or schools as an explanation for arriving late.
Everyday efficiency stands out
The creator also highlighted Japan’s efficient self-payment systems. Vending machines and automated counters are widely used across the country for buying drinks, meals and even train tickets.
These machines calculate the amount automatically and return the exact change, making transactions quick and accurate.
Through her posts, the creator’s experiences provide a glimpse into the everyday cultural differences that many newcomers encounter while adapting to life in Japan.