One of the main reasons why I chose to study in Japan was to challenge myself to adapt to a way of living far different from what I was used to in America. One of the biggest cultural differences between America and Japan lies in the distinction between an “individualist” culture and a “collectivist” culture. For a refresher, an individualist society is all about personal achievement and independence, while a collectivist society prizes social harmony and a strong connection with your larger community. I mentioned these terms back in my field note on public transportation, where you can see that even Japan’s train system embodies their collective stance on transportation. However, this cultural divide runs much deeper than trains and cars, and I observed it in nearly every aspect of life in Japan.
When I had my first video call with your class, everyone was shocked to hear about sento and onsen, two methods of public bathing that are popular in Japan. That’s right, even bathing is a communal activity! A sento is a bathhouse that uses regular filtered water, while an onsen gets water directly from a local hot spring. Other than the difference in the water source, there are few major differences between the two categories.
