What life in Japan is really like

Punctuality matters: arriving five to ten minutes early is normal. Teams share problems early, a habit called hou-ren-sou: report, contact, consult.

Trains run on time and are quiet, so people avoid phone calls on them. Rubbish is sorted into burnable, non-burnable and recyclable, with set collection days.

Rice, fish and soy are everyday staples. Vegetarian food is harder to find, but larger cities have Indian restaurants and grocery shops.

Japan has four clear seasons. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold, with snow in many regions, so warm clothing is essential.

Shoes come off at home and in some workplaces. A small bow is used to greet and to thank. Tipping is not expected.

After arriving you register your address, open a bank account and get a phone number. National Health Insurance then covers most of your medical costs.