Think I will set this up as an auto reply “macro” (do people use that term?) to email folks when they send me links to articles about “quirky weird Japan” things that may or may not exist but I’ve certainly never see:
“I’ve never seen {insert this here} but know foreign media enjoys sharing stories about strange/weird Japan like juvenile delinquents abusing sushi conveyor belts, whale meat vending machines, $5000 cases of peaches or strawberries or a watermelon, million dollar tunas, the vending machines with used panties that don’t really exist, and sports fans cleaning up at stadiums, thousand year old businesses, temples which are destroyed and rebuilt “every few years :-)”, the naked man festival, collectible left hand driving cars, etc”
I will also add, “
the things that make Japan really great are very normal like great transportation systems, reasonably priced housing, super healthcare program (works for my chronic complex illness anyhow), possibly too much infrastructure, rare random violence & the things about Japan which are fairly unsatisfactory are also rather obvious and include gender inequality and lack of official support for same-sex/etc. relationships, draconian policies about w33d, and the conundrums of excess plastic and waste, and something about cronyism”
(However, the above don’t make for clickbait headlines so instead we get “oh look, they’re eating insects and horsemeat sushi in Japan serve by robots dressed in s3xy maid outfits to customers to only leave the house in bear costumes”)
{But keep in mind it doesn’t say “Japan expert” in my Twitter bio so you should probably just ignore everything I say because if you don’t put some sort of witty “Japan expert” flex & drop how many years you’ve been here, doesn’t even count}
But just in case you think I am “just another English teacher who really liked manga and anime or…” I offer my credentials:
Anyhow, I am drinking coffee w/ soy milk and folding laundry, my darlings are at the park and then tea ceremony.
Here’s a snap of a pizza my 2 yr old son made last night. (Noting this is a my reply to people who shockingly exclaim “a *Foreign company brand name delivery pizza* is $40 in Japan WTF!?”)

Bonus :)
Laundry update (very important):
Two baskets folded, one put away, one more load coming out of the dryer of sheets and the kiddo’s customized preschool futon cover.
Clarifications: yes we have an “all in one” washer and dryer unit. Highly efficient and uses water from the bathtub. Has more options than most spaceships. PS we also have a “normal” sized gas oven. #JapanLifeIsWhatYouMakeIt