Found Objects

If you lose something in Japan, you’ll get it back. At least, there’s a very high chance you’ll get it back, especially if you live in the countryside. Unless I pick it up. (see pic.)

Lost gloves, umbrellas, hats and so on will be picked up off the road and hung neatly on the nearest fence. There was a glove that stayed on a fence for most of last winter, before it blew off and disappeared forever. I doubt it was missed.

I heard a story recently of a girl who lost her passport and it was handed in to the police station almost before she even noticed it was gone.

Even when you forget your bike at the station, it’ll be months before anybody comes along to turf it out of the way of the rest of us folk who actually need the space your forgetfulness is costing us. (Which reminds me, I really should get a picture of the huge pile of forgotten bicycles at my station. You’ll love it.)

I found this panda the other night at the station, and will be returning him there forthwith. In keeping with the Japanese way.

He’s a sushi fan, donchaknow…

Monday, December 11th, 2006 General, Japan, Japanese Culture, Sushi Trackback URL for this entry