). Planet Tokyo, a company that publishes visitor guides, suggests thatforeigners follow the lead of the locals in these situations since the customary rules areso complex. Hygiene:Western-style restrooms are found in the larger department stores and manyrestaurants, however, a Japanese-style toilet requires one to squat and aim facing theraised lid. Not every restroom stocks toilet paper in Japan, so it is necessary to carrytissues or toilet paper around with you when in public. (Planet Tokyo, p.2)The number of public baths has declined in Tokyo, however, the custom is stillprevalent. Man and women bathe separately except in outdoor hot springs. Foreignersare generally guided through the process, if they wish to partake. The water in the bathis very hot and the Japanese do this to relax their bodies and let peace enter their soul. (Japan, p.33)Although the Japanese have many customs and daily rituals that are quitedifferent than ours in the United States, Tokyo is a city that is highly industrialized, plusmost of the Japanese speak English, since they are taught the language at a youngage in school. It will be very smart to have an English-Japanese dictionary handy justin case, but Tokyo does not seem to be a city to be scared of as an outsider....
